GLLKA - September Great Lakes Lighthouse Excursions and Adventures

Thursday, September 1st- 1:00 to 5:00pm
Special EXTENDED Lighthouse Cruise through Les Cheneaux Island
As you leave Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you will be treated to a rare view of the Mackinac Bridge as your vessel passes directly beneath the superstructure. Then heading east into Lake Huron you'll head through the narrow passage between Round Island Light and Round Island Passage Light as you view the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island on the port side. As you head east, our vessel will turn north to slowly cruise through Les Cheneaux Islands, a largely un-trumpeted treasure of the eastern Upper Peninsula. The area's 36 rocky islands are steeped in history and feature a wide array of wildflowers and breathtaking scenic beauty. You will pass Government Island which served as the base for construction of both Spectacle Reef and Martin Reef lighthouses, the latter of which you will obtain a close-up view as we head back into the lake towards Bois Blanc Island. After viewing the Bois Blanc Island lighthouse, you will be whisked back to the dock into Mackinaw City. This cruise is hosted by Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises, with GLLKA experts serving as your guides, providing narration and answers to questions throughout the cruise. Cruise direction could change due to severe weather. The cruise is $77.50 per person, children 5 - 12 years - $42.50, and children under 5 ride free. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shepler's at (800) 828-6157 or (231) 436-5023 or you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Saturday, September 3rd - 2:00 to 5:00pm
Westbound Straits of Mackinac Lighthouse Cruise
Departing from Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you'll bear west past historic Old Mackinac Point Light for a spectacular view of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge.. Get your cameras ready to photograph the girders and superstructure of the bridge above your head as the captain slows the boat for this rare photo opportunity. A 20 mile westward run brings you to White Shoal Light with its trademark red and white candy-stripe daymark. Next we head to the south to view Gray's Reef Light built in 1936 and then the boat will double back to the forbidding Waugoshance Light with its birdcage lantern. As we head back eastward, the boat will pass as close as possible to the St. Helena Island Light Station, an ongoing GLLKA restoration project, before heading back under the Mackinac Bridge to Mackinaw City. This cruise is hosted by Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises, with GLLKA experts serving as your guides, providing narration and answers to questions throughout the cruise. Cruise direction could change due to severe weather. The cruise is $52.50 per person, children 5 - 12 years - $27.50, and children under 5 ride free. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shepler's at (800) 828-6157 or (231) 436-5023 or you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Wednesday, September 7th - 1:00 to 5:00pm
Special EXTENDED Lighthouse Cruise through Les Cheneaux Island
As you leave Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you will be treated to a rare view of the Mackinac Bridge as your vessel passes directly beneath the superstructure. Then heading east into Lake Huron you'll head through the narrow passage between Round Island Light and Round Island Passage Light as you view the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island on the port side. As you head east, our vessel will turn north to slowly cruise through Les Cheneaux Islands, a largely un-trumpeted treasure of the eastern Upper Peninsula. The area's 36 rocky islands are steeped in history and feature a wide array of wildflowers and breathtaking scenic beauty. You will pass Government Island which served as the base for construction of both Spectacle Reef and Martin Reef lighthouses, the latter of which you will obtain a close-up view as we head back into the lake towards Bois Blanc Island. After viewing the Bois Blanc Island lighthouse, you will be whisked back to the dock into Mackinaw City. This cruise is hosted by Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises, with GLLKA experts serving as your guides, providing narration and answers to questions throughout the cruise. Cruise direction could change due to severe weather. The cruise is $77.50 per person, children 5 - 12 years - $42.50, and children under 5 ride free. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shepler's at (800) 828-6157 or (231) 436-5023 or you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Thursday, September 8 - 1:30am to 5:30pm
Special EXTENDED Westbound Straits of Mackinac Lighthouse Cruise
Departing from Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you'll bear west past historic Old Mackinac Point Light for a spectacular view of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge. Get your cameras ready to photograph the girders and superstructure of the bridge above your head as the captain slows the boat for this rare photo opportunity. A 20 mile westward run brings you to White Shoal Light with its trademark red and white candy-stripe daymark. Next we head to the south to view Gray's Reef Light built in 1936 and then on to view Skilligalee (Ile aux Galets) lighthouse. We then double back north to the forbidding Waugoshance Light with its birdcage lantern. As we head back eastward, the boat will pass as close as possible to the St. Helena Island Light Station, an ongoing GLLKA restoration project, before heading back under the Mackinac Bridge to Mackinaw City. This cruise is hosted by Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises, with GLLKA experts serving as your guides, providing narration and answers to questions throughout the cruise. Cruise direction could change due to severe weather. The cost is $68.00 for adults, and $39.25 for Children (5-12 years), with children under 5 years riding free, and includes a boxed lunch and soft drink for all guests. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shepler's at (800) 828-6157 or (231) 436-5023 or you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Saturday September 10th - 2.00pm to 5:00pm
Eastbound Straits of Mackinac Lighthouse Cruise
As you leave Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you will be treated to a rare view of the Mackinac Bridge as your ship passes directly beneath the superstructure. Then heading east into Lake Huron, you'll head through the narrow passage between Round Island Light and Round Island Passage Light as you view the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island on the port side. A bit farther east you pass Bois Blanc Light, built in 1829, and then you will head south to Poe Reef Light painted with its black and white bands. On to Fourteen Foot Shoal Light where you can easily see the bottom of Lake Huron beneath the boat. A quick run up the Cheboygan River takes you past the Cheboygan Crib Light and the Cheboygan River Front Range Light, an ongoing GLLKA restoration project. We will pass by the mooring of the new Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw and if she is in port, you will see her there. As you head back to Mackinaw City, you will view the permanent home of the retired cutter Mackinaw (WAGB83) before returning to the Shepler's dock. This cruise is hosted by Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises, with GLLKA experts serving as your guides, providing narration and answers to questions throughout the cruise. Cruise direction could change due to severe weather. The cruise is $52.50 per person, children 5 - 12 years - $27.50, and children under 5 ride free. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shepler's at (800) 828-6157 or (231) 436-5023 or you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Tuesday, September 13 - 1:30 to 4:30pm
Westbound Straits of Mackinac Lighthouse Cruise
Departing from Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you'll bear west past historic Old Mackinac Point Light for a spectacular view of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge.. Get your cameras ready to photograph the girders and superstructure of the bridge above your head as the captain slows the boat for this rare photo opportunity. A 20 mile westward run brings you to White Shoal Light with its trademark red and white candy-stripe daymark. Next we head to the south to view Gray's Reef Light built in 1936 and then the boat will double back to the forbidding Waugoshance Light with its birdcage lantern. As we head back eastward, the boat will pass as close as possible to the St. Helena Island Light Station, an ongoing GLLKA restoration project, before heading back under the Mackinac Bridge to Mackinaw City. This cruise is hosted by Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises, with GLLKA experts serving as your guides, providing narration and answers to questions throughout the cruise. Cruise direction could change due to severe weather. The cruise is $52.50 per person, children 5 - 12 years - $27.50, and children under 5 ride free. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shepler's at (800) 828-6157 or (231) 436-5023 or you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Wednesday, September 14 - 1.30pm to 4:30pm
Eastbound Straits of Mackinac Lighthouse Cruise
As you leave Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you will be treated to a rare view of the Mackinac Bridge as your ship passes directly beneath the superstructure. Then heading east into Lake Huron, you'll head through the narrow passage between Round Island Light and Round Island Passage Light as you view the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island on the port side. A bit farther east you pass Bois Blanc Light, built in 1829, and then you will head south to Poe Reef Light painted with its black and white bands. On to Fourteen Foot Shoal Light where you can easily see the bottom of Lake Huron beneath the boat. A quick run up the Cheboygan River takes you past the Cheboygan Crib Light and the Cheboygan River Front Range Light, an ongoing GLLKA restoration project. We will pass by the mooring of the new Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw and if she is in port, you will see her there. As you head back to Mackinaw City, you will view the permanent home of the retired cutter Mackinaw (WAGB83) before returning to the Shepler's dock. This cruise is hosted by Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises, with GLLKA experts serving as your guides, providing narration and answers to questions throughout the cruise. Cruise direction could change due to severe weather. The cruise is $52.50 per person, children 5 - 12 years - $27.50, and children under 5 ride free. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shepler's at (800) 828-6157 or (231) 436-5023 or you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Saturday, September 17th - 1:00 to 5:00pm
Special EXTENDED Lighthouse Cruise through Les Cheneaux Island
As you leave Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you will be treated to a rare view of the Mackinac Bridge as your vessel passes directly beneath the superstructure. Then heading east into Lake Huron you'll head through the narrow passage between Round Island Light and Round Island Passage Light as you view the Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island on the port side. As you head east, our vessel will turn north to slowly cruise through Les Cheneaux Islands, a largely un-trumpeted treasure of the eastern Upper Peninsula. The area's 36 rocky islands are steeped in history and feature a wide array of wildflowers and breathtaking scenic beauty. You will pass Government Island which served as the base for construction of both Spectacle Reef and Martin Reef lighthouses, the latter of which you will obtain a close-up view as we head back into the lake towards Bois Blanc Island. After viewing the Bois Blanc Island lighthouse, you will be whisked back to the dock into Mackinaw City. This cruise is hosted by Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises, with GLLKA experts serving as your guides, providing narration and answers to questions throughout the cruise. Cruise direction could change due to severe weather. The cruise is $77.50 per person, children 5 - 12 years - $42.50, and children under 5 ride free. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shepler's at (800) 828-6157 or (231) 436-5023 or you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Sunday, September 18th - 2:00am to 6:00pm
Special EXTENDED Westbound Straits of Mackinac Lighthouse Cruise
Departing from Shepler's Mackinaw City dock, you'll bear west past historic Old Mackinac Point Light for a spectacular view of the Mighty Mackinac Bridge. Get your cameras ready to photograph the girders and superstructure of the bridge above your head as the captain slows the boat for this rare photo opportunity. A 20 mile westward run brings you to White Shoal Light with its trademark red and white candy-stripe daymark. Next we head to the south to view Gray's Reef Light built in 1936 and then on to view Skilligalee (Ile aux Galets) lighthouse. We then double back north to the forbidding Waugoshance Light with its birdcage lantern. As we head back eastward, the boat will pass as close as possible to the St. Helena Island Light Station, an ongoing GLLKA restoration project, before heading back under the Mackinac Bridge to Mackinaw City. This cruise is hosted by Shepler's Lighthouse Cruises, with GLLKA experts serving as your guides, providing narration and answers to questions throughout the cruise. Cruise direction could change due to severe weather. The cost is $68.00 for adults, and $39.25 for Children (5-12 years), with children under 5 years riding free, and includes a boxed lunch and soft drink for all guests. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Shepler's at (800) 828-6157 or (231) 436-5023 or you can order tickets online by clicking here.

Wednesday September 21st through Saturday September 24
Lake Erie North Shore and Eastern Basin Excursion
WWe start this amazing excursion Wednesday evening with an al fresco dinner at the South Bass Island lighthouse and a night at the Put-In-Bay Resort. The next morning we board the Jet Express IV for a fast trip across Lake Erie into Candian waters to see the lights at Rondeau, Port Stanley and Port Burwell. We then head back across the lake for two nights at the Bayfront Inn in Erie, Pennsylvania. The next mroning we head back across the lake to see the lights at Long Point, Port Dover, Port Maitland,, Mohawk Island, Port Colburne and Point Abino. We then head back into US waters to see all six lights in Buffalo Harbor before passing the Dunkirk light on our way back to Ere, PA. .Saturday morning we see all the US lights along the southern shore as we make our way to Port Clinton, with a stop along the way to tour the Astabula Harbor lighthouse. Our excursion ends with a gala dinner and a good night's rest in Port Clinton. The price for this amazing excursion for GLLKA members is $1,285.00 per person double occupancy, and $1,535.00 per person single occupancy. This price includes all hotels, meals and transportation, from Wednesday night through check-out on Sunday morning. Non GLLKA members will need to add $40 for a 1-year individual membership or $60 for a 1-year family membership in order to participate. Click HERE to download a more complete description of this excursion in Adobe PDF format. To register, please call the GLLKA office at 231 436-5580 during office hours.

Click HERE to view Refund Policy for all GLLKA Excursions