Those who call the mid-west home in the United States have a freshwater treasure trove right in their back yard. Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, Superior—there’s a reason these Great lakes have affectionately received the acronym H.O.M.E.S.
They are truly some of the most unique lakes around.
If you don’t own a passport, or you simply don’t have any interest to leave the country, sailing the Great Lakes can give you the same feeling of touring the high seas. It’s no wonder that people come from all over the world just to get a glimpse of these natural freshwater beauties.
Cast open the sails, man the helm: here’s how you too can sail the Great Lakes!
The first thing you’ll need to determine is if you’ll be bringing your own sailboat, or if you plan to charter a sailboat. If you go the route of dropping in your own sailboat, there are plenty of marinas and harbors in the towns surrounding the Great Lakes.
If you go the route of chartering a boat, you’ll additionally need to consider whether you want a crewed or bareboat sailing journey. Each option offers different kinds of freedoms: either you’ll be able to sail where you want at your own leisure for the duration of your trip, or an experienced crew (usually including a chef) and skipper will handle the responsibilities of sailing.
In either event, you’ll need to be sure exactly how involved you want to be in the sailing.
There are also essential items that you’ll probably want to bring aboard your vessel. Always wear sunscreen and protective clothing while out in the open water. UV rays from the sun are much stronger on the lakes, mostly because the sun’s rays bounce openly off the water. It’s also a good idea to prepare a first aid kit ahead of time.
Make sure to bring entertainment on board as well, such as waterproof speakers, playing cards, cameras, snorkeling gear, and water toys.
If you’re wondering about where to go once you’re on the water, each lake has its own particular beauty. If you do research ahead of time, try to mark interesting locations on a map and make a game out of finding them all!
Below are some of the top locations for sailing in each of the five Great Lakes.
Lake Huron – Mackinaw Island in the Straits of Mackinac just above Michigan’s Lower Peninsula
Lake Ontario – Endymion Island in the Thousand Islands National Park south of Athens, Ontario
Lake Michigan – Leelanau Peninsula at the northwestern tip of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula
Lake Erie – Presque Isle State Park peninsula in Erie, Pennsylvania
Lake Superior – Apostle Islands off the Bayfield Peninsula in northern Wisconsin
Whether it’s for fishing, scuba diving, swimming, or simply chartering a vessel on open water, sailing the Great Lakes is a perfect option for single or multi-day excursions. The best part is, if you’re already living in the US then you don’t have to go very far a maritime experience.
With several options for sailing on the Great Lakes, Ever Ready Travel can help you plan an unforgettable adventure that suits your taste and needs.
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