LIGHTHOUSE CRUISES:

Our Lighthouse cruises fill up fast! Reservations can be made online. No pets please.

Eastbound Cruise

You'll start by passing under the Mackinac Bridge for a sight rarely seen. Then you'll head across the Straits between Round Island Light and Round Island Passage Light. Turning east, you'll pass by the privately owned Bois Blanc Light. Poe Reef and Fourteen Foot Shoal Lights mark your turn into the South Channel.

A quick trip up the Cheboygan River takes you past the Cheboygan Crib light before you head back. En route, you'll enjoy the clear blue waters of the Straits, a bird's eye view of the Coast Guard cutter "Mackinaw", and plenty of maritime history.

Buy a ticket for the Eastbound Cruise.

Westbound Cruise

Departing from Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you'll bear west and pass directly under the mighty Mackinac Bridge, setting the stage for this 3-hour round trip tour.

Visible to the south along the 20 mile run to White Shoal Light is Wilderness State Park. To the south lies Gray's Reef Light, originally built in 1891.

Your ship will then double back toward the medieval-looking Waugoshance Light. The 12 mile eastward run to St. Helena Island provides ample opportunity for plenty of lighthouse lore. The final pass on the Westward Cruise swings by the St. Helena Island Light, then back to Mackinaw City.

Buy a Ticket for the Westbound Cruise.

Extended Lighthouse Cruises
June 29 & 30, July 14 & 15, August 4 & 5, September 8

More cruises in 2010! Take an extended Lighthouse Cruise and get a rare glimpse of the elusive Skillagalee Lighthouse added to our westbound tour or Spectacle Reef Light added to the eastbound tour. Both lights may only be viewed up-close from a boat and these cruises will allow you unbelievable photo opportunities of these remarkable lighthouses. Each cruise is four hours long and the cost includes a boxed lunch.

Adults: $68.00, Children (ages 5-12) $39.25.

The Les Cheneaux Excursion
September 9, 2010

Join us on a 5-hour Extended Cruise into the beautiful Les Cheneaux Islands in northern Lake Huron. In addition to seeing the stunning scenery of the Les Cheneaux Islands, you will enjoy exceptional views of six lighthouses including Martin Reef and Spectacle Reef lights.

Adults: $77.50, Children (ages 5-12): $42.50. Cost includes a boxed lunch.

The Ultimate 2-Day northern Lake Huron Lighthouse Adventure
August 23-24, 2010

This 2-day adventure starts with a pass under the Mackinac Bridge, then heads southeast to view the Cheboygan Crib & Front Range light & the offshore lights on Fourteen Foot Shoal & Poe Reef. We then head down the coast to view the lights at Forty Mile Point, Presque Isle, Middle Island and Thunder Bay Island before docking in Alpena for a gala dinner at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center and our hotel for the night. The next morning we head back up the lake to obtain close-up views of the Spectacle, Detour & Martin Reef lights, Bois Blanc Island and the Round Island and Round Island Passage lights before arriving back in Mackinaw City.
The price includes all meals, snacks, lodging, and transportation.

Per person fares: $595 single, $550 double occupancy. Non-GLLKA members add $35 each.
For reservations call GLLKA at 231-436-5580.

The St. Helena Experience
June 25th, July 7th, July 16th, and August 6th, 2010

Travel to beautiful St. Helena Island for an all-day tour of its restored light station. This cruise departs Shepler's Mackinaw City dock at 9:30 am, returns about 4:15 pm and includes lunch on the island. Along the way, you'll pass directly beneath the Mackinac Bridge aboard the vessel Cake & Ice Cream. Arriving at St. Helena Island, you'll board a motor-driven dinghy through the shallows to a shoreline dock.
Seating is limited to 17.

Fare for GLLKA members is $90 per person. Non-members are $125 per person (includes a 1-year GLLKA membership).
Call GLLKA at 231-436-5580 for reservations.

Other highlights of our cruises:

Cruise under the bridge. Each cruise passes directly under the mighty Mackinac Bridge. You'll learn of the climactic struggle to build it as you're treated to this rare sight.

Professional on-board narration! Each lighthouse cruise is narrated by members of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association. A portion of all proceeds is donated toward lighthouse preservation and restoration efforts.