Windsor

Windsor-Essex boat tours offering a better view of the solar eclipse are selling out

Demand is high for local companies taking people out on the water to be the first in Canada to see the April 8 solar eclipse and a tourism association says there's also a spike in hotel bookings.

Local tourism association says number of hotel room bookings also spiking

Demand is high for eclipse cruises in Windsor-Essex

9 months ago
Duration 2:50
Multiple companies are offering a chance for eclipse enthusiasts to take in the view from a boat. Paul Mancini, captain of the Macassa Bay for Windsor Premier Cruises, said the tour only has a few spots left as of Monday. Tom Sobocan, public relations director with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in Windsor, said he expects boats like the Macassa Bay and the Pelee Islander, which is also running a sold out voyage that day, will offer a good view of the eclipse. Dalson Chen reports.

Demand is high for local companies taking people out on the water to be the first in Canada to see the April 8 solar eclipse and a local tourism association says there's also been a spike in hotel bookings.

The Macassa Bay will run a special charter that will take passengers from Amherstburg to the western basin of Lake Erie to view the total solar eclipse. 

Paul Mancini, captain of the Macassa Bay for Windsor Premier Cruises, said the tour only has a few spots left. 

"We just thought this would be a great event to bring people out to witness it," he said.

"We won't be in an area of totality, but we'll be close to it where we can get a good view of the eclipse."

The voyage is about 90 per cent sold out of its 140-person capacity, Mancini said. Each passenger will be supplied with a pair of eclipse glasses. 

A man stands in front of the Detroit skyline
Paul Mancini is captain of the Macassa Bay for Windsor Premier Cruises, which is running a special eclipse voyage on April 8. With about 90 per cent of tickets sold, Mancini says they expect to be completely sold out this week. (Dalson Chen/CBC)

Mancini said they're thrilled with the response, but surprised ticket sales have been so brisk with eclipse day a month away. 

"There seems to be a big interest in Essex County and ... something that we felt would be a good opportunity for people visiting the area to witness what there is to offer and Essex County and view our waterway," he said. 

'I'm interested in seeing something like this, never witnessing a solar eclipse before, a total solar eclipse. I can see the interest with the coming to the area to witness, to get a view of this up front."

Tom Sobocan, public relations director with the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada in Windsor, said he expects boats like the Macassa Bay and the Pelee Islander, which is also running a sold out voyage that day, will offer a good view of the eclipse. 

Sobocan said totality won't be visible across Essex County — Windsor, LaSalle and Lakeshore won't be in the path. But the astronomical society will be at Colchester Harbour, Kingsville, Point Pelee and Jack Miner bird sanctuary, where totality will be visible. 

Sobocan warned observers to have eclipse glasses, and for those hoping to photograph the eclipse with a camera, they'll need a solar filter or risk burning the camera's sensor. 

A pair of shaded cardboard glasses.,
The Royal Astronomical Society in Windsor is selling solar glasses ahead of the eclipse on April 8. (Mike Evans/CBC)

"If you're looking for a couple seconds at a partial eclipse, you will definitely end up with eye damage or it could even lead to blindness," he said.

"But with solar eclipse glasses, as long as you're taking the glasses off and putting them on with your back toward the sun, when you look at the sun, it's totally safe to look at the sun for about up to three minutes at a time with the solar eclipse glasses."

Tourism interest growing for solar eclipse day: Orr

Gordon Orr, CEO of Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island (TWEPI), said the tourism agency recently put together an eclipse guide, which is available on its website, for both locals and visitors. 

"We're finding that a lot of people are wondering what's happening with the solar eclipse and what they can see and do during that day," Orr said. 

LISTEN | Local astronomy group to spend weeks preparing people for April 8 solar eclipse

Tom Sobocan is with with the Windsor branch of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

He said TWEPI is tracking hotel bookings, which would typically be slower on a Monday night, and there's been a rise in them.

Tourism interest in the Essex County, swaths of which are in the path of totality, will continue to pick up as eclipse day draws closer, he anticipated. 

"Science is fun. Everybody loves to see astronomy and this is something to participate in and we're very fortunate to have it happening in this region," Orr said.

"Whenever there are opportunities that present themselves, this community harnesses those opportunities and makes different venues and events accessible."

WATCH | How to safely watch the solar eclipse 

How to safely watch the total solar eclipse in Windsor-Essex

9 months ago
Duration 1:26
Tom Sobocan, public relations director for the Royal Astronomical Society's Windsor group, explains where and how to watch the eclipse on April 8.

With files from Dalson Chen