Misery Bay is located on Manitoulin Island, said to be the world's largest freshwater island.

Misery Bay Nature Reserve ( MBNR) is located on an ancient flat rock sea bottom. This unique feature, known as an alvar, presents unusual geological viewing opportunities for the visitors' enjoyment. It is this feature that makes the Misery Bay Nature Reserve a world class park. The Great Lakes Basin has the only alvars found in North America, and most of the alvars found in the world. Manitoulin Island is located on the northern rim of this large land feature. "The Manitoulin cluster of alvars are the most significant alvars found anywhere in the world."