Boating
Camp Mana-Pine
Wellston
231-848-4141
www.campmana-pine.com
Camp Mana-Pine is located on the scenic and historic Backwaters of Tippy Dam, where the Manistee River and the Pine River meet, creating a completely secluded lake. The Backwaters offers a great variety of fishing; an experienced and licensed fishing guide available. Camp Mana-Pine is surrounded by the 540,187 acres of the Manistee National Forest, which has many beautiful trails for bikers and hikers to experience.
On the waters, Camp Mana-Pine has a complete marina, offering fishing boats and pontoon boats for rent, dock slips, gas, tackle, bait and convenience items. Clean and cozy cabins with complete housekeeping facilities round out the 25 licensed campsites, either rustic or electric, available for seasonal campers. This is truly a campground for the sportsman, fisherman, outdoorsman, family and everyone to enjoy.
Grand Traverse Gourmet Cruises
Traverse City
800-873-0652
www.gtgourmetcruises.com
US Coast Guard licensed Captain Jay and certified gourmet chef, Cindy, lead you in exploration of the history of the Grand Traverse or Door County & Menominee regions, the watershed, and the agricultural heritage of the area. Packages includes sailing five days/five nights aboard the Balia, a 42 ft. Catalina sailboat with three cabins; gourmet breakfast, lunch, and three dinners, plus land excursions. Along with the five nights of onboard accommodations, an additional night's stay with the choice of either the night before departure or the night at the end of the cruise determined by both the guests as well as the boat schedule.
Holland Princess/Holland Water Sports
Holland
616-786-2628
www.hollandwatersports.com
Summer is too short in West Michigan! Treat your family to a power-boat, pontoon boat, sailboat, or jet-ski rental for an unforgettable day of tubing, skiing, and breath-taking sights of Holland. Ride from Lake Macatawa out to Lake Michigan and cool off while riding the waves on a power boat or Yamaha waverunner rental.
For a more relaxing excursion, step aboard the Holland Princess. This 65' Victorian style paddle-wheel river boat offers both public and private cruises. Enjoy a memorable dinner cruise, a relaxing lunch cruise or a private party/charter while taking in picturesque lake homes, historic land marks and nature at its best.
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa
Acme
800-748-0303
www.grandtraverseresort.com
Spend a day splashing around and making waves with a watersport rental from Blue Sky Rentals. Jet skits, jet boats, pontoon boats: a variety of rental options are available at The Shores, Grand Traverse Resort's private beach club located directly on beautiful East Grand Traverse Bay. Please note, The Shores and watersport rentals are available only to Resort guests and Club Members.
Parrot's Landing
Mears
231-873-8400
www.parrotslanding.com
If you fancy the water for excitement, ski or tube across the surface of Silver Lake while being towed behind one of a sleek ski-boats, or, for even more action, launch a powerful jet-ski watercraft (wave runner) into the waves of Lake Michigan. Parrot's Landing will provide everything you need at reasonable rates for a full day of fun in the sun at Silver Lake, Lake Michigan and the Silver Lake Sand Dunes.
Star of Saugatuck Boat Cruises
Saugatuck
269-857-4261
www.saugatuckboatcruises.com
Sit back and relax – listen to the water running off the paddlewheels as you gently glide down the Kalamazoo River. See Saugatuck from the water, a totally different view from what you see on land, and take in the majesty of Lake Michigan.
Take one of the many daytime cruises or go for an evening cruise taking in the beauty of a sunset on Lake Michigan. Snack bars onboard serve cold pop, water, or if you prefer a beer, glass of wine or mixed drink and chips or candy to snack on.
It’s fun for all ages – children see boats of every shape size, and you never know when we’ll see a fox, deer, or possibly a bald eagle! Our narrations are fun and informative, but never boring – although some of passengers become so relaxed they have been known to “rest their eyes.”
Traverse Tall Ship Co.
Traverse City
800-678-0383
www.tallshipsailing.com
Make memories this summer, with an exciting fresh-water sailing adventure aboard the Tall Ship Manitou, which sails out of its home port in Traverse City, Michigan. Three excursions are offered daily (noon, midday, evening) with weekly special-themed cruises offered on Monday - Friday through the end of August. Whether traveling solo, as a couple, with a family or as part of a group, a Tall Ship sail makes a great traditional Great Lakes adventure.
As one of the largest sailing ships on the Great Lakes, the Manitou is a replica of an 1800s “coasting” cargo schooner. A traditional two-masted, gaff rigged, topsail schooner, Manitou measures 114 feet in length with more than 3000 square feet of sail. With a 62 passenger sailing capacity (24 overnight capacity), there is plenty of space for sitting and moving around the decks while under sail. While aboard the Manitou, passengers are free to leave the sailing to the experienced crew or lend a hand and learn the arts of the sailor. An excursion aboard the Manitou allows you to remove yourself from the trappings of modern life: no TV, phone (cell phones are discouraged), beeper, email and definitely no itinerary.
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