I’m planning a trip to Mackinac Island this summer and looking for a place to rent kayaks on the island. I’m having trouble finding it. A hotel employee told me there is a place on the island but couldn’t tell me the name or anything.
We’re flying from Maine so we would need to rent everything there.
Can anyone give me any info on hiking in the area.
Try calling the hotels in this list.
http://www.mackinac.com/content/accommodations/hotels_resorts.html?accommType=Hotels%20and%20Resorts
Mackinaw Island is not an ideal paddling spot for beginners(not saying you are) as the current is pretty strong and the shallow water is only close to shore. The north end has some shallows, but there is not much public land on the north end. It is a beautiful place to paddle, but I am not sure I would want the liability of renting kayaks in that location.
As for hiking, there is a road around and accross the island, with some trails here and there. Longer nature hikes are not in abundance. The area around the airport and north end is the most remote, but you could cover every trail on the island in one long day. I hope you have a wonderful trip and can handle the smell of horses and sugar as the two blend for a unique mix that only Mackinaw Island can produce so wonderfully. Also, if you are afraid of bats, lock yourself in a box at dark.
Bill
I dont recall seeing kayaks
Anywhere on the island or anywhere near the island. In fact, boat traffic was pretty minimal except for the ferries that run back and forth all day.
I spent 2 nights on the Island…
– Last Updated: Apr-27-10 7:42 PM EST –
this past summer. Are you staying at the Grand Hotel? Make sure the men bring at least sport coats! It's a great place to spend some time ..... We brought our bikes with us over on the ferry and had a very nice time riding around the Island. There are many trail(roads) that are very nice for riding... I agree about paddling around there,,,it can be very iffy..... The weather was great for us but the Lake was ferocious just about all around the Island the time we were there, probably just wrong timing for us though.....Boy..... you want to talk about OLD moneied families and Aisian visitors.......P.S..... never spent so much money per night before......I don't have the access anymore, but my parents spent many summer months at a wonderful retreat on the island....
if there is one that knows , it would be
Bob at the Grand . He is the conseigre there (yeah my spellin sucks an I can’t find it in the 3 dictionaries I have ) . Anyway , Bob would know , met him on Lulu in the gulf o mex.—really nice an cool dude !
M
Nearby Islands
Depending on your skill levels and the sort of kayaks you’re able to rent there, another option would be to make the 3/4-mile crossing south to Round Island. There’s an old lighthouse, and perhaps a bit of bushwacking & hiking to be had there.
http://msrmaps.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=14&Z=16&X=215&Y=1585&W=3&qs=|mackinaw+city|mi
Paddle along one side of Round Island and make another 1/2-mile crossing to the southeast to the mush larger Bois Blanc Island. Both are part of the Hiawatha Nat’l Forest, so should be open to the public for daytrips.
As others have mentioned, BE VERY CAREFUL in these waters, as they are very exposed to westerly winds, and usually have strong currents. The channel to the south of Bois Blanc is generally trafficked by large lake carriers, so give them a wide berth and be prepared for their wakes, or stay on the north sides of the islands to avoid most ship traffic.
Good luck!
Delphinus
http://www.AquaDynology.com
Check this out…
http://www.mackinacisland.org/pdfs/mackinacislandlocatormap.pdf
I’ve paddled around the island on several occasions but as far as I know there is no outfitter on the island.
In St.Ignace you can check out.
Sports Connection [Canoe & Kayak Rentals], 274 South State Street, Saint Ignace, MI 49781, Phone: (906) 643-0551
It’s only a 3 mile paddle from St. Ignace to the island. In good weather 45 minutes. Eight mile paddle around the island. It makes a nice little day trip IMHO. Enjoy!!
St. Helena Island lighthouse is in the
area also and friends of mine have paddled to it. Unfortunately I don’t know where they put in, but they did use sea kayaks.
The lighthouse was refurbished by Boy Scouts a few years back.
Mackinaw Island
Look up “Woodand Water Ecotours,” close to Cedarville in the UP. Phone #906.494.4157. Jessie rents boats, and has some great tours around the islands there. Totally worth the extra miles (no more than 45 minutes away from Mackinaw, as I remember it).
give these people a call:
http://woodswaterecotours.com/
An local outfitter, guide and rental source. If anyone can help or point you in the right direction, they can.
woods and waters
I can vouch for woods and waters ecotours! Jessie, the ownwer, will take great care of you.
You’d be better off
biking Mackinaw Island (rent bikes there) and paddling the nearby Les Cheneaux Islands courtesy of Jesse’s Eco Tour business in Hessel. Besides, when you’re on Mackinaw Island there’s lots of cool stuff to see by foot and by bike–much better than paddling the otherwise not-too-interesting shoreline. Tour the fort, buy some fudge, have a beer in the Pink Pony.
Enjoy your trip to Northern Michigan!
Mackinac Island Kayak Rentals
GREAT TURTLE KAYAK TOURS www.mackinackayak.com is the place on Mackinac Island Michigan to rent kayaks! Fun and exciting trips and GREAT deals. And the Kayaks are really nice! Located behind the Horse Corral Mall on the beach. Use the rock path in between the “HCM” and the butterfly house leading to the beach! or go to www.mackinackayak.com
mackinac kayak
– Last Updated: Mar-06-13 2:57 PM EST –
Thats's right! I agree. what a gorgeus place and the lake is calling Ive got your back on the kayaks !!! GREAT TURTLE KAYAK TOURS http://www.mackinackayak.com is the place on Mackinac Island Michigan to rent kayaks! Fun and exciting trips and GREAT deals. And the Kayaks are really nice! Located behind the Horse Corral Mall on the beach. Use the rock path in between the "HCM" and the butterfly house leading to the beach!
mackinackayak.com
GREAT TURTLE KAYAK TOURS www.mackinackayak.com is the place on Mackinac Island Michigan to rent kayaks! Fun and exciting trips and GREAT deals. And the Kayaks are really nice! Located behind the Horse Corral Mall on the beach. Use the rock path in between the “HCM” and the butterfly house leading to the beach! or go to www.mackinackayak.com
mackinackayak.com
– Last Updated: Mar-06-13 1:17 PM EST –
GREAT TURTLE KAYAK TOURS http://www.mackinackayak.com is the place on Mackinac Island Michigan to rent kayaks! FUN
mackinackayak.com
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mackinackayak.com
– Last Updated: Mar-06-13 1:19 PM EST –
http://www.mackinackayak.com GREAT TURTLE KAYAK TOURS http://www.mackinackayak.com