On-Water Experiences
The Museum offers a variety of on-water experiences, providing adventures for the whole family. All boat rides include free Museum admission. At the Michigan Maritime Museum, we are more than just a boat ride!
Ticket holders for our boat rides, please check in at the Museum’s welcome desk at the main entrance.
On-Water Experience tickets will be available for purchase in early March.
Friends Good Will
Friends Good Will is a replica 1810 top sail sloop. She speaks to the history of commerce in the early 1800s, as well as her pivotal role in the War of 1812. We are proud to be home to Friends Good Will and be able to provide our visitors with a unique on-water experience aboard this historic replica tall ship. Stand at her bow, feel the wind on your face and hear the crack of her billowing sails. Do more than imagine how sailors felt as they set sail for uncharted courses–experience it for yourself!
Max. Passengers: 28
Age Restrictions: 4+
Operation Dates: Memorial Weekend-October 2nd (Wednesday-Sunday, Daily in July)
| Experience | Price Per Passenger | Private Charter Price | Length | Departure Time |
Adventure Sail |
$42.00 | $1,300 | 90-minutes | 11 AM |
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Geared towards children. Make some waves, swashbucklers! Help the crew protect the ship. |
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Day Sail |
$40.00 | $1,200 | 90-minutes | 1:15 PM, 3:15 PM, 5:30 PM |
Sunset Sail |
$1,300 | 90-minutes |
8 PM (June 15 – July 30) |
**Private charter pricing is for the whole boat (1 to 28 passengers). Private charters must be booked in advance. Contact the Museum directly for availability.**
Adventure Sail
Geared towards children. Make some waves, swashbucklers! Help the crew protect the ship.
Price Per Passenger: $42.00
Private Charter Price: $1,300
Length: 90-minutes
Departure Time: 11 AM
Day Sail
Price Per Passenger: $40.00
Private Charter: $1,200
Length: 90-minutes
Departure Time: 1:15 PM, 3:15 PM, 5:30 PM
Sunset Sail (Private Charter Only)
Price Per Sail: $1300
Length: 90-minutes
Departure Time: June 15 – July 30 8 PM, July 31 – August 14 7:45 PM
**Private charter pricing is for the whole boat (1 to 28 passengers). Private charters must be booked in advance. Contact the Museum directly for availability.**
Lindy Lou
Lindy Lou is an electric-powered replica river launch. This cruise provides passengers with a chance to recapture those days from the late 1890s through the 1930s when launches plied the Black River, delivering guests to resorts, taking picnickers to up-river parks and pavilions, and generally helping to fill the lazy hours of summer with relaxing diversions. This ~3 mile round-trip cruises travels upstream to the covered bridge of the Kal-Haven Trail while the captain regales passengers with the life and history of the Black River.
Max. Passengers: 12
Age Restrictions: All Ages
Operation Dates: Memorial Weekend-September
| Experience | Price Per Passenger | Private Charter Price | Length | Departure Time |
River Cruise |
$30.00 | $400.00 | 1-hour | 10:30 AM, 12 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM |
**Private charter pricing is for the whole boat (1 to 12 passengers). Private charters must be booked in advance. Contact the Museum directly for availability.**
River Cruise
Price Per Passenger: $30.00
Private Charter Price: $400.00
Length: 1-hour
Departure Time: 10:30 AM, 12 PM, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM, 4:30 PM
**Private charter pricing is for the whole boat (1 to 12 passengers). Private charters must be booked in advance. Contact the Museum directly for availability.**
USCG Motor Lifeboat 36460
Experience the adventure aboard USCG Motor Lifeboat 36460! This boat, built in 1941, starred in the Disney film The Finest Hours. The film showcases the most daring rescue in Coast Guard history of the oil tanker Pendleton in 1952 off the coast of Massachusetts. Motor Lifeboat 36460 played 36500 (the original rescue boat) for the film. This extraordinary vessel represents one of the most widely used and relied upon rescue boats in Coast Guard history. Step aboard and ride the waves as you salute the United States Coast Guard.
Max. Passengers: 6
Age Restrictions: 4+
Operation Dates: Memorial Weekend-Labor Day Weekend (Wednesday-Saturday)
| Experience | Price Per Passenger | Private Charter Price | Length | Departure Time |
Cruise |
$20.00 | $150.00 | 30-minutes | 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:45 PM |
Sunset Cruise |
$175.00 | 60-minutes | Wednesdays & Thursdays 8:30 PM (June 15 – July 28) 8:15 PM (August 3 – August 11) |
**Private charter pricing is for the whole boat (1 to 6 passengers). Private charters must be booked in advance. Contact the Museum directly for availability.**
Cruise
Price Per Passenger: $20.00
Private Charter Price: $150.00
Length: 30-minutes
Departure Time: 11:45 AM, 12:45 PM, 1:45 PM, 2:45 PM, 3:45 PM
**Private charter pricing is for the whole boat (1 to 6 passengers). Private charters must be booked in advance. Contact the Museum directly for availability.**
Sunset Cruise (Private Charter Only)
Price Per Cruise: $175.00 (pricing is for the whole boat)
Length: 60-minutes
Departure Time: June 15 – July 28 8:30 PM, August 3 – August 11 8:15 PM (Wednesdays & Thursdays)
**Private charter pricing is for the whole boat (1 to 6 passengers). Private charters must be booked in advance. Contact the Museum directly for availability.**
Merry Time
Enjoy pure romance on the water with our 1929 Chris-Craft Cadet, Merry Time. It’s the bees knees! These cruises offer chauffeured luxury on Lake Michigan and the Black River. Whether it’s cruising along the river front or making waves on the Lake, this boat is perfect for anyone with an appreciation for the elegant design and style only classic wooden boats can provide.
Max. Passengers: 4
Age Restrictions: 4+
Operation Dates: Memorial Weekend – Labor Day Weekend (Thursday-Saturday)
| Experience | Price Per Passenger | Private Charter Price | Length | Departure Time |
Cruise |
$40.00 | $200.00 | 45-minutes | 2:30 PM, 3:45 PM, (5 PM Private Charter Only) |
**Private charter pricing is for the whole boat (1 to 4 passengers). Private charters must be booked in advance. Contact the Museum directly for availability.**
Cruise
Price Per Passenger: $40.00
Private Charter Price: $200.00
Length: 45-minutes
Departure Time: 2:30 PM, 3:45 PM, (5 PM Private Charter Only)
**Private charter pricing is for the whole boat (1 to 4 passengers). Private charters must be booked in advance. Contact the Museum directly for availability.**
Bernida
Bernida is a 1921 Universal Rule R Class Sloop and a thoroughbred racing yacht. She is fast and elegant; like the 1920’s. Bernida does not replicate history. She is history. Visit this racing legend at our docks all summer long!
Guest Information
Museum admission is included with every boat ticket. Guests should plan on arriving no less than 30 minutes prior to departure for check in and safety briefings. Our boats will leave promptly for departure and will not be held for any reason. Check-in is at the Welcome Desk located in the Maritime Heritage Center.
All boat trips depart from and return to the Museum docks located on the Museum campus at 260 Dyckman Ave.
The Museum does not provide food or beverage aboard boats. Boat-friendly (no glass) snacks and beverages are permitted.
No illegal drugs or alcohol are allowed on board our boats under the Zero Tolerance Policy of the United States Coast Guard.
No smoking is allowed on/near the vessels or on the Museum campus.
Due to the historic nature of our vessels, they are not accessible to wheelchairs. Walkers are not permitted aboard. Guests must be able to board the boats with minimal assistance. Registered service dogs are welcome.
Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather. Layers are recommended as it may be cooler on the Lake. Rubber soled shoes are recommended. Flip-flops and high heels are discouraged.
Fleet and Crew
The Michigan Maritime Museum takes great pride in its fleet and crew. Our Commander of the Fleet, with over 40 years of maritime experience, oversees our multiple USCG licensed captains and crews for all of our vessels. Our staff and volunteer crew members are trained to operate all our equipment to ensure safety and the full enjoyment of our passengers. Our fleet consists of both replica and historic vessels that range from an early 19th century tall ship to a retired United State Coast Guard boat. Our captains and crews not only operate them but also offer historic interpretation. Our boats will go out rain or shine for a true Great Lakes experience!
Our vessel are equipped with all required safety equipment. Prior to each departure, a safety briefing is provided regarding life-saving devices and instructions on their use for every passenger on the boat.
All U.S. Coast Guard regulations are strictly adhered to, so that your safety and enjoyment are assured. Adherence to these regulations is rigorously checked by U.S. Coast Guard staff during regular inspections.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
All ticket sales are final. We do not accept guest exchanges or cancellations. NO EXCEPTIONS.
The Museum reserves the right to cancel a scheduled cruise for any reason up until the time of departure. Cancellations are unlikely EXCEPT in the event of inclement weather such as high wind and waves, fog, or severe lightning. Weather conditions on Lake Michigan can change quickly and, while we attempt to make as many trips as possible, safety is our greatest concern. If the Museum cancels an excursion, we will attempt to reschedule you. If rescheduling is not possible, you will be provided with a full refund.