Cruising Northern Michigan

30 Years in
Northern Michigan
23 Boats with
bases in Traverse
City, Cheboygan
and Charlevoix
Monohulls &
Catamarans up to
45’

ASA Certified

Beginning to Advanced
Courses

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Bareboat and
Catamaran
Certifications
13 Instructors/
Captains
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Unsalted Flotilla in August
Island Hopping in June
Bareboat or Captained
ASA Courses offered
Bring your own boat!
•Explore islands
•Nature Hikes
•Browse the Towns
•Fun Regattas
•Wine Tasting
•And much more…
Based on the
cruising zone
from Bay
Breeze’s Traverse
City and
Cheboygan Bases
Over 50 Islands,
anchorages and
harbor towns
within a short
range
This presentation is available on the Bay Breeze website
www.bbyc.com
and click on “destinations”
Cheboygan
Charlevoix

Bay Breeze Yacht Charter Website

This presentation is a guideline – not for navigational purposes…

Michigan Harbor Reservations System

Charts

Video Clips – Cruising Grand Traverse Bay.com

mynorth.com
◦ www.bbyc.com/destinations
◦ www.midnrreservations.com
◦ www.nauticalcharts.com – chart #72 & #75
◦ www.cruisinggrandtraversebay.com
◦ for festivals and things to do
Frankfort
2. Manitou
Islands
3. Leland
4. Sleeping Bear
Dunes
5. Cathead &
Goodharbor
Bays*
6. Northport
7. Suttons Bay
8. Power Island
9. Traverse City
10. Old Mission
11. Elk Rapids
12. Charlevoix –
1.
Plus many
more, we just
ran out of stars!
lake michigan,
depot beach,
sunset beach
13. Young State
14.
15.
16.
17.
Park
Boyne City
Petoskey State
Park
Harbor Springs
Cheboygan
State Park
Frankfort
City and Public
Marinas
Anchoring good
North Side of
Betsie Lake
Magnificent
Beaches and Sand
Dunes within
walking distance
of Marina
Only natural harbor
in North or South
Manitou
Deep water harbor –
may require two
anchors
Hiking trails
National Park ferry
service
Shipwreck
snorkeling on south
side
•Short term
anchoring
•Hike the dunes
•Cathead Bay
offers some
protection
•Leland &
Frankfort are only
safe harbors
 Harbor of
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Refuge
Carlson
Fisheries
Wine Fest
Storybook town
with waterfall
Walk to Lake
Leelanau
Bluebird Tavern
•Full Service
Marina
•Haul-out facility
and boatyard
•Good Anchorage
just outside
marina
•Good anchorage
in north side of
Northport Bay
•Red, Right,
Returning!
•Say “hi” to Marv
& Martha at the
marina!
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Sandy bottom
Small, public
beach that’s little
known
North exposure
Lake Michigan
Northport Bay
Omena Bay
Great Restaurant &
Wine tasting on
waterfront
Dinghy in only
South exposure
Sandy bottom but
drops off fast
Recommend
utilizing two
anchors to prevent
swinging into
shallows
Mooring balls are
private
Restaurant &
Wine Tasting
Room

Many restaurant
options

Historic Movie
theater

Boutique &
Gallery shopping

Great anchorage
outside marina

Wine Festival &
Blues Fest

Bahle Park offers
great hiking 0.3
miles from
marina
Drops
fast in
this area
Recommended
anchorage
Anchor only on the east and
southeast side of island
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Nature
preserve
Hiking trails
& Beaches
Camping
allowed on
island
Old Mission Peninsula
East Grand
Traverse Bay
West Grand Traverse Bay
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Bowers Marina
is private
Deep harbor –
anchor only
middle of
north side
Restaurants,
micro-brew &
wine tasting
nearby
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City Marina downtown
Township marina &
Centerpointe marina
outside city
Many, many
restaurants &
shopping options
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Beaches & bike trails
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Festivals
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Great anchoring at
base of the bay – north
exposure
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No shore
side
amenities
Very scenic &
quiet
Great beach
Hiking trails
nearby
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Friendliest
marina
around
Free ride to
Pearls!
Great beach
Anchoring
outside
marina not
recommend
ed
•Cruising the
Coastline – watch for
the green buoy off
Fisherman’s Island
•Large boulders
below – need a
lookout on bow
•Day Anchor Only
•Fisherman’s State
Park on Mainland


A must see town restaurants, parks,
shopping and
festivals
City Marina or
anchor in Round
Lake

Great beaches

Beaver Island ferry

Say “Hi” to Hal the
Harbormaster!
Round Lake

Opens every hour
and ½ hour –
6 am to 10 pm

Current in channel

Watch out for
ferry!
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No tie up in
channel
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Inbound traffic
allowed in first
Boyne City
Young State
Park
East Jordan
Ironton Ferry
Horton Bay
Holy Island
Irish & Northwestern
Marinas
Oyster Bay
Charlevoix
Draw Bridge
Depot Beach
Lake Michigan
 Anchorage
Options:
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Oyster Bay
Depot Beach
Young State Park
Horton Bay
Boyne City
Holy Island
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Marina Options:
◦ Northwest Marina
◦ Irish Boatshop
◦ Boyne City
Harborage
◦ Boyne City
Municipal
◦ East Jordan
◦ Sommerset Pointe
◦ The Landing
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Marina open
to public
Restaurants,
shops &
galleries
Showcase for
rich and
famous
Great
protection in
the harbor
Golf available
right from
marina

City marina – don’t
anchor out
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Best waterfront park
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River hike outside
marina
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Restaurants, shops
and galleries
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Bay View district of
Historic Victorian
Homes
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Perfect natural
harbor &
Storybook town
Public & Private
Marina Options
Walstom’s for
fuel & pumpout
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Great city beach

Great boating
heritage
One of the largest
freshwater islands on
the Great Lakes with
two marinas and a
quaint, friendly town.
Mackinac Island (left)
and Beaver Island
One island doesn’t
allow cars and the other
shouldn’t allow this
car…
Sure, they’re both islands. But
that’s where the similarities
stop.
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Shallow
entrance
Not
recommende
d for vessels
with over 6’
draft
Indian burial
ground
Hiking trails
Clear water and a perfect half-moon sandy
beach anchorage. Hiking trails that lead to
sand dunes over 200’ tall.
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Check your
charts and
watch the
approach
Historic
lighthouse

Anchoring out
isn’t advisable
due to ferry
traffic
New state marina
Anchorage along
beach, south side
of the straits
Watch for north
winds
Hotels along
beach allow for
dinghy access &
beach use
Stay away from
Mackinaw Island
ferries
Reservations
can be made
6 months in
advance
Pump – out
available at
state marina
No Fuel at
state marina
Marina slip
recommende
d – fender up
well
Anchoring
can be rolly
from ferries
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Private
club –
transients
welcome
Great Aframe
clubhouse
Pool
Great staff
Marquette Island (above) – Les
Cheneaux Islands.
Conservancy land access only.
No amenities for boaters
Bois Blanc Island (right) –
Straits of Mac. At least there's
a bar on the island…
◦ Recently
dredged
◦ Many , many
anchorages
◦ Two harbor
towns
 Hessel &
Cedarville
Marquette Island in the Les Cheneaux Islands.
Conservancy land access only. No amenities for boaters
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Richard’s Landing
Hilton Beach
Milford Haven
#1 South Manitou Island
#3 Government
Island – Les
Cheneaux
#2 Power (Marian)
Island – GT Bay
# 1 Suttons Bay
#3 Bowers Harbor
# 2 Round Lake
Honorable
Mention; Old
Mission
#1
Shamrock
#2 Whitneys
#3 Knot Just A
Bar
Honorable Mention – Pearls Cajun
Cafe
The Favorite; Leelanau Wine
Cellars, Omena
Runner Up:
Bowers Harbor Vineyard,
Old Mission Peninsula
The “Jolly Pumpkin” Tavern located on the Old Mission Peninsula near
Bowers Harbor.
Honorable Mention to the Mackinaw Brewing Company and
North Peak Brewing Company in downtown Traverse City
Honorable Mentions:
 John Cross – Charlevoix
 Carlson’s Fisheries – Leland
 Bells – Mackinac Island
(the Bubba Gump of Whitefish)
3) The Cove – Leland
2) Whitney’s Oyster Bar – Charlevoix
1) The Villager - Charlevoix
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A must see
town restaurants,
parks,
shopping and
festivals
Fuel & Pump
Out at Ward
Bros
Great beaches
Say “Hi” to Hal
the
Harbormaster!
Round Lake
For aerial photos
Marge Beaver – Photography Plus
www.photography-plus.com
800-300-9691
Magazine
Don’t forget to fill out the SURVEY CARD before leaving!
www.bbyc.com
231-941-0535
[email protected]
Thanks & Happy Cruising!