Unforgettable Guided Boat Tours in the Great Lakes Bay
With sunshine gently warming your face and impossibly blue waters all around you, what's not to love about boating? And, depending which vessel you venture aboard, your experience can be entirely different each time!
Will you sail off slowly into the sunset, or drift dreamily under starry skies? Paddle a kayak, or sip wine and savor decadent chocolates aboard an electric craft? Read on to meet the fleet of boats and find adventures you can enjoy on the waves of the Great Lakes Bay!
Bavarian Belle Riverboat | @brettmartinphotos
Bay City Boat Lines
Boat Tours in Bay City
Sail Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay or Cruise the Saginaw River
BaySail | @marjojaroch
BaySail
Step aboard BaySail's Appledore schooners in Bay City — two tall ships of nautical splendor with beautiful, billowing white sails — and prepare for a magical experience!
- Consider Great Lakes 101 sails for a daytime outing where you'll learn fascinating facts about the Saginaw River as you sail toward Saginaw Bay.
- Look to Sunset Sails on Saginaw Bay to witness breathtaking hues and the glow of the golden hour.
- Bring your own snacks & beverages on board to complete either unforgettable experience, or bring the kids — both sails are family-friendly!
Bay City Boat Lines | @shineonsunfish
Bay City Boat Lines
Board the Princess Wenonah or Islander ferry boats with Bay City Boat Lines to enjoy smooth cruises (and maybe even dance on deck)!
- On Rock the Boat Concert Cruises, dine on a delicious, catered meal, then boogie down to live music! From Classic Rock to Soul & Funk, pick your theme and don't forget your dancing shoes!
- Rain or shine, go Carefree Cruisin' on the Saginaw River aboard the Princess Wenonah! Float off into the sunset to the sounds of live acoustic music and enjoy a cash bar and catered meal with your relaxing river ride.
- Select weekends throughout the summer, reserve your seats for a Sunday Funday Cruise. Enjoy three hours of spectacular views, a catered meal, cash bar, and live entertainment.
- Spend 2 ½ hours on a daytime Saginaw River Guided Tour, and listen to a live guide highlighting wildlife, points of interest, and what else to see and do in Bay City. Keep watch for the U.S.S. Edson naval ship and Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse!
- Book your Free Weekday Morning History Tour in advance, because these seats fill quickly! Experience local history with a live guide from 10 a.m. - noon, Mondays - Thursdays in July.
Bavarian Belle Riverboat
Boat Tours in Frankenmuth
Ride a Riverboat or Go Wine Tasting on the Water
Boat Tours in Frankenmuth | @michiganaddicts
Bavarian Belle Riverboat
Enjoy a one-hour tour along the scenic Cass River aboard the 150-passenger Bavarian Belle Riverboat. This authentic paddlewheel riverboat operates from May - October, is wheelchair accessible, has restrooms on board, and is a must-do while in Frankenmuth!
- Find this red & white beauty at the docks of Frankenmuth River Place Shops. Look & listen for the waterfalls, where tours depart daily every 90 minutes from 11 a.m. to dusk!
- Take in your narrated, historical tour from the open-air canopied upper deck, or the fully enclosed lower level, if you prefer!
Frankenmuth FunShips Tasting & Tours
Relax aboard electric-powered, 12-passenger Frankenmuth FunShips as your captain guides you along the Cass River, possibly while you sip and sample local specialties.
- Book a one-hour Wine and Chocolate River Tour, and enjoy five wines expertly paired with five handmade chocolates, a full pour of your favorite, and a stemless souvenir glass. (Sparkling grape juice is an available option, too!)
- Look to the 1 Hour River Tour or 30 Minute River Tour for relaxing rides through Frankenmuth's scenic countryside — same gorgeous views, minus the chocolates & wine.
Shiawassee NWR | @ninaneuschuetz
Boat Tours in Saginaw
Take a Guided Ecotour in the "Everglades of Michigan"
Johnny Panther Quests
Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips
For one-of-a-kind boating enjoyment — amidst 18,000 acres of Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge and beyond — find yourself on a custom-built boat with Johnny Panther Quests Adventure Trips!
- Specializing in ecotours, romantic escapes, and even bed & breakfast packages — tours are by reservation, fully customizable, family- and pet-friendly, and 3 - 5 hours on average.
- Book your "Everglades of Michigan" tour, bring your camera & binoculars, and be ready for incredible wildlife, scenic views, and memorable stories from your expert local guide.
Whether you'll sail into the sunset or kayak, cruise along a river while sipping wine or dance the night away on deck, one thing is certain: You'll enjoy your time spent on the water here! Find More Waterfront Fun +
Author
Jen W. O'Deay + Go Great Lakes Bay
By: Jen W. O'Deay | Updates: Go Great Lakes Bay | Jen is a Saginaw native and owner of Feel These Words, an independent copywriting studio & home to the free "5 Day Website MiniBoost". Jen specializes in writing that connects, delivered through website copy, branded content articles, and WingWoman writing services. You'll find Jen camping with her family, laughing, and at feelthesewords.com
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