Planning your Michigan Sailing Vacation

SailMichigan Summer Sailcation Planning Guide

1959 Interlake "on vacation"

"I have a trailerable sailboat"

For the "have boat, will travel" crowd, SailMichigan can help you in your exploration. 

1. Click the Find a Lake tab on the SailMichigan.org site.
2. Search for your sailing lake by general location (i.e. city, county or zip code), or lake features (depth, area, keywords, etc). Click Search.
3. Explore your possible choices to narrow down the lakes, or access points which are most promising.
4. Click the "Download MDNR or NOAA Map" button to print out a DNR map or NOAA Booklet chart for your chosen lake.
5. For lodging, click on the VRBO banner in the sidebar of the lake information page. On the VRBO page, enter the name of the lake (or nearest town), Michigan and search.
6. Click on the "More filters" tab and select "Lakefront or Lake view or Beachfront or Beach view". Then click "Apply filters".
7. Click on a map region or on the name of the nearest town. Explore the offerings provided.

"I have keelboat which is not easy to trailer"

  For those exploring the Great Lakes, we have these suggestions.

1. Click the "Great Lakes" tab at SailMichigan.org and select your Great Lake of interest.
2. For Lake Michigan or Lake Huron, click on the "Cruising" link. For other lakes select the link for that lake.
3. Click on the County which will serve as your home base or destination.
4. Click the "Download MDNR or NOAA Map" button to print out a NOAA Booklet chart for your chosen access point.
5. To reserve a slip at a nearby Michigan public marina/harbor, click here. 
6. Explore the additional resources provided on the individual Great Lakes information pages.
7. If separate lodging is needed, click on the VRBO banner in the sidebar of the lake information page. On the VRBO page enter the lake name (or nearest town), Michigan and search.
8. Click on the "More filters" tab and select "Lakefront or Lake view or Beachfront or Beach view". Then click "Apply filters".
9. Click on a map region or on the name of the nearest town. Explore the offerings provided.

 "I don't have a boat but I want a sailing experience"

 For folks who want sailing as a nice diversion but not the focus.

1. From April through September there are numerous regattas, races and festivals planned. Many of these are annual occurrences with some occurring every two or so years. Consult the SailMichigan events page to see what sailing events are going on during your planned vacation timeframe (note that many events will not be posted until about April).
2. Please visit our Tall Ships and Maritime Associations page, as well as our Sailboat Charters page for day-sail or cruise opportunities. These opportunities range from 2 hour cruises on 80' Tall-masted ships to 4 or more hour charters on modern 30-50' sailboats.
3. Check the nearest Yacht/Sail Club or Community Sail Club to your vacation destination to learn of any opportunities for a daysail or community outreach event.