Boat Tours and Excursions
Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline
Along the Lake Michigan Shoreline
It's always a great time to explore the rivers and lakes of southwest Michigan. You can still get out on the water, even if you don't own a boat or feel like playing skipper in a rental. Some tour boats offer meals, pirate themes for the kids, live music and dancing, and romantic sunset cruises. To help find a public cruise near you, we've arranged our listing by town running from south to north along the lake, so make sure to check out possibilities in nearby towns.
NEW BUFFALO
Sea Rocket Adventure
Boards at Oselka Marina
514 W. Water St.
New Buffalo, MI 49117
269-469-2600
Forty minute high-speed tour of the Lake Michigan shoreline near New Buffalo aboard the offshore racer inspired Sea Rocket. Capacity: 10 persons. Operates seven days a week Memorial Day to Labor Day.
SAINT JOSEPH
Party Time Cruise Lines
220 Anchors Way
St. Joseph, MI 49085
269-983-4140
Ninety minute sunset cruise along the St. Joseph River and out onto Lake Michigan (weather permitting) aboard the Par-Te-Tyme. Capacity: 87 persons. Operates seven days a week 3rd Saturday in May - 2nd Saturday in September.
SOUTH HAVEN
Friends Good Will Tall Ship
Michigan Maritime Museum
260 Dyckman Avenue
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-8078
Ninety minute day sails or two hour sunset cruises on Lake Michigan aboard a replica of an 1810 era sloop. Friends Good Will was captured, recaptured and ended up sailing for both sides in the War of 1812. Sails mid-May through mid-September. Passengers must be four years or older. Capacity: 28 persons. Boards at the Michigan Maritime Museum dock. Special "Pirate Chaser" sails for the kids. Museum admission included in ticket price.
Lindy Lou River Launch
Michigan Maritime Museum
260 Dyckman Avenue
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-8078
Sixty minute cruise on the Black River aboard the electric river launch Lindy Lou. Five cruises per day, seven days per week from May through October. All ages. Capacity: 12 persons. Boards at the Michigan Maritime Museum dock. Museum admission included in ticket price.
Sun Setter US Navy Utility Launch
345 Water Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-364-0608
Sixty minute afternoon scenic cruise or 75 minute sunset cruise aboard the ex-US Navy utility launch Sun Setter. Seven days per week from May through October. All ages welcome. Capacity: 40 persons.
SAUGATUCK / DOUGLAS
Harbor Duck Tours
(269) 857-DUCK (or 3825).
info@harborducks.com.
Forty-five to sixty minute narrated street tours of downtown Saugatuck and Douglas aboard the WWII amphibious vehicle. The Harbor Duck leaves the road in Douglas for the return to Saugatuck via the Kalamazoo River. Capacity: 28 persons. Leave or join the Harbor Duck tour in either town to explore on foot. The Duck boards on Culver Street at Coughlin Park in Saugatuck and on Center Street next to Beery Field in Douglas.
Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises
716 Water Street
Saugatuck, MI 49453
Phone: 269-857-4261
Ninety minute narrated tour of Kalamazoo Lake, the Kalamazoo River and out onto Lake Michigan (weather permitting) aboard the sternwheeler Star of Saugatuck II. Capacity 150 persons. Operates daily from the first full weekend in May through September 30th, and Friday-Monday in October. The Star of Saugatuck II boards on Water Street at the foot of Spear Street.
HOLLAND
The Holland Princess
290 Howard Ave. (Dunton Park)
Holland, MI 49424
616-393-7799
Two hour dinner tour cruises on Lake Macatawa and out the channel past "Big Red" lighthouse onto Lake Michigan (weather permitting) aboard the Holland Princess. Capacity 150 persons. Operates May to mid-September. The Holland Princess boards near Dunton Park.
JENISON
The Grand Lady Riverboat
775 Taylor Street
Jenison, MI 49428
616-457-4837
Two-hour Sunday afternoon Picnic Cruises and three-hour Thursday live-music Happy Hour Cruises aboard the Grand Lady on the Grand River. Capacity: 150 persons. Operates May through October. The Grand Lady boards near the end of Taylor Street near Riverview Airport.
MUSKEGON
Lake Express High Speed Ferry
1920 Lakeshore Drive
Muskegon, MI 49441
866-914-1010
Cross Lake Michigan from Muskegon to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 2.5 hours aboard the 40 mph Lake Express. Capacity: 248 persons, 46 passenger vehicles and 12 motorcycles.
Port City Princess
560 Mart Street
Muskegon, MI 49440
231-728-8387
Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan cruises. Daily cruises for lunch, afternoon and sunset. Capacity: 150 persons. The Port City Princess boards at the Mart Dock next to the LST 393.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Lake Effect Living photographs are the work and property of Sharon Pisacreta.