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 water when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan!
Bay City
Step aboard BaySail's Appledore schooners — 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 about the Saginaw River as you sail toward Saginaw Bay. Or, look to Sunset Sails on Saginaw Bay to witness gorgeous hues in 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
Board the Princess Wenonah excursion boat of 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 to live music, from Classic Rock to Soul and Blues. Or, go "Carefree Cruisin'" on the Saginaw River! 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.
Friday and Saturday afternoons, experience a Saginaw River Guided Tour, and listen to a live guide highlighting wildlife and points of interest, like the Saginaw River Rear Range Lighthouse!
Saginaw
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, tours are by reservation only, 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.
Frankenmuth
Relax aboard electric-powered, 12-passenger Frankenmuth FunShips as your captain guides you along the Cass River, possibly while you sip & sample local specialties.
Book a one-hour Wine & 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.
Frankenmuth
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!
Look & listen for the waterfalls by the docks at Frankenmuth River Place Shops, where tours depart daily every 90 minutes from 11am to dusk!
Take in your narrated, historical tour of "Michigan's Little Bavaria" from the open-air canopied upper deck — or the fully enclosed lower level, if you prefer!
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!
Things To Do
Refreshing & cool, salt-free & scenic: the Great Lakes Bay is hands-down and all-in the place to be for an affordable waterfront vacation in Michigan!
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Things To Do
Dip your toes, drop a line, and dive right in as you discover these must-try attractions, hotels, and restaurants on the water when you Go Great Lakes Bay in Pure Michigan!
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Summer Trip Ideas
There’s real satisfaction in providing your own power, amid a rich soundscape of paddles' splashes and birdsong. You seem to float out of your own world and worries and into a wider, maybe even wiser, one. That’s Great Lakes Bay Region paddling.
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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
