Lake Manitou Boat Dock: Location And Access Guide

There are several places with the name Manitou that have boat docks. One is the North Manitou Island Dock, which is the second-largest island in a fourteen-island archipelago in northeastern Lake Michigan. Another is the Manitou Beach Marina, which is located on Devil's Lake Hwy in Michigan and offers dock slip leases for boats. There is also a Manitou Beach Marina located in Braddock Bay, which provides access to Lake Ontario and offers 100 slips on a floating dock system.

Manitou Beach Marina docks in New York

Manitou Beach Marina is located in the picturesque town of Clarkson, New York, offering a unique boating experience on the stunning shores of Lake Ontario. The marina's address is 320 Manitou Beach Road, Hilton, NY 14468, and it is easily accessible from the Lake Ontario State Parkway, near the Manitou Beach Road exit.

World-Class Facilities and Services

Manitou Beach Marina boasts state-of-the-art facilities and top-notch services to ensure an extraordinary experience for all boaters. The marina's dock area offers 100 slips on a floating dock system, providing potable water connections, low-intensity lighting, wireless internet, and amp shore power hookups. Access to the boat slips, boat ramp, restrooms, and showers is conveniently controlled through electronic key fobs for member boaters.

The marina also features ample well-lit parking spaces for cars and tow vehicles. While fuel is not available on-site, it can be purchased at the town-owned marina across Braddock Bay or at the Braddock Bay Tavern up Salmon Creek.

Endless Adventures and Activities

At Manitou Beach Marina, adventurers can explore a range of water activities, including sailing, fishing, jet skiing, and paddleboarding. The marina provides boat rentals and a full-service fuel dock to cater to all your water sports needs. For those seeking a more relaxed pace, paddleboarding along the shoreline offers a tranquil way to take in the breathtaking scenery.

Unforgettable Events and Dining

Manitou Beach Marina is also an ideal venue for hosting events, from corporate retreats and family reunions to wedding celebrations. The spacious event space boasts stunning views of the lake and can accommodate groups of various sizes. The dedicated event planning team ensures that every detail is taken care of, allowing guests to enjoy their special occasions to the fullest.

The marina is also home to a variety of waterfront restaurants and cafes, offering a diverse range of culinary delights. From fresh seafood and juicy burgers to gourmet pizzas and mouthwatering desserts, there is something to satisfy every palate. Visitors can relax and enjoy their meals while taking in the beautiful views of the boats sailing by and the stunning sunsets over the lake.

A Community of Boating Enthusiasts

Manitou Beach Marina fosters a vibrant community of boating enthusiasts who share a passion for the water. The marina hosts various social events and activities throughout the year, including boating regattas, fishing tournaments, sunset cruises, and beach parties. It provides the perfect opportunity for boaters to connect, forge lifelong friendships, and create lasting memories with like-minded individuals.

Manitou Island Transit ferry

The Manitou Island Transit ferry service provides transport to North and South Manitou Island from Leland, Michigan. The ferry ride usually takes around 1.5 hours one way, and reservations are required. The service typically runs from May until October, with day and camping trips running daily in June, July, and August.

During a day trip to South Manitou Island, you can visit a lighthouse, hike trails, picnic, birdwatch, or explore natural and cultural areas. Manitou Island Transit (MIT) also offers tours of South Manitou Island from their open-air vehicles. Leland, a picturesque village located between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau, is an attraction in itself, with its historic village centre, shops, restaurants, galleries, and museums.

MIT provides boat transportation services between Leland Harbour and North and South Manitou Islands. The Manitou Islands are designated wilderness areas within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. North Manitou Island, the second-largest island in a fourteen-island archipelago in northeastern Lake Michigan, is approximately five miles wide and seven miles long. Its landscape includes rolling hills, steep bluffs, sand dunes, two inland lakes, wetland habitats, and thousands of acres of deciduous forests.

In 2020, for the first time in over a century, there was no ferry service from Leland due to a combination of high water, drifting sand bars, and a lack of National Park Service funds for dredging.

North Manitou Island

The island is known for its remote and rugged terrain, featuring rolling hills, steep bluffs, sand dunes, two inland lakes, fragile wetland habitats, and deciduous forests. It offers visitors a primitive and secluded experience with limited amenities. Access to the island is mainly by private boat or passenger ferry service from the Fishtown Dock in Leland, Michigan.

Today, the island is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and offers visitors opportunities for hiking, exploring nature, and camping. Visitors should be prepared for limited services and are advised to bring their own gear and supplies, including food, water, and appropriate clothing. The island has specific rules and regulations in place to protect its fragile natural resources and ecosystems.

South Manitou Island

The island is known for its unique sand dune formations, created by winds blowing on the high, sandy bluffs on the west side of the island, moving sand inland. It features 10 miles of pebble beaches and a grove of old-growth white cedars, some of the oldest and largest in the world, dating back over 500 years. The campgrounds lie on sandy soils among younger forests.

Today, the island is uninhabited, with most of its buildings lying in ruins. Visitors can explore the old coast guard station outbuildings, take a wagon tour to view the giant cedar trees, and visit the Francisco Morazan shipwreck. Guided tours on open-air vehicles are available, but most traffic is on foot. Access to the island is by private boat or passenger ferry service from Leland, Michigan.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

The islands offer a unique opportunity for visitors to explore pristine beaches, dunes, inland lakes, and forests, as well as abandoned villages and ghost towns. North Manitou Island, the second-largest island in a fourteen-island archipelago in northeastern Lake Michigan, is approximately five miles wide and seven miles long. It boasts a diverse landscape of rolling hills, steep bluffs, sand dunes, two inland lakes, wetland habitats, and acres of deciduous forests.

Accessing the islands is an adventure in itself. Visitors can opt for a private boat charter or take the passenger ferry service operated by Manitou Island Transit, which departs from the Fishtown Dock in Leland, Michigan. The ferry service has been run by the same family for generations, and reservations are recommended. It's important to arrive at the dock 45 minutes before departure, and don't forget to bring a jacket as it can get cool on the boat, even in summer!

In recent years, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore has faced challenges due to natural processes such as shifting sands and high water levels, which have impacted the accessibility of the islands' docks. In 2024, a $32 million project was proposed to improve safe and reliable boat access to the Manitou Islands, with an environmental assessment outlining proposals for repairing or replacing the docks.

The park offers a range of activities for visitors, including hiking, swimming, exploring nature, and learning about the history of the area. It's important to note that the islands have limited services, so visitors should come prepared with food, water, and appropriate clothing and gear. Camping is also available on the islands, but a Backcountry Use Permit is required, and there are specific rules in place to minimise human impact on the fragile natural environment.

Frequently asked questions