What to do and see in Traverse City, Michigan (MI): The Best Boat Tours & Water Sports

October 2, 2021 Nobuko Falco

Traverse City, known as a four-season playground, is now celebrated for quality cuisine, wine and culture. Miles of sugar-sand shoreline include the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with romantic lighthouses and coastal villages. The glacier-sculpted landscape of orchards and vineyards includes 16 golf courses. Swimming, sailing, paddling, hiking and fishing are favorite warm weather activities, while winter turns the region into a playground for skiers, snowmobilers and snowshoers.
Restaurants in Traverse City

1. Tall Ship Manitou - Day Tours

Excellent
86%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,276 reviews

Tall Ship Manitou - Day Tours

Join us aboard the 114' SCHOONER MANITOU as we ply the sparkling waters of Grand Traverse Bay. Sailing out of Traverse City, MI, Manitou offers four two hour sails per day. Help haul sail, take a turn at the wheel, or just sit bax and relax. During the month of September Manitou plies the waters of northern Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay on four and five day windjammer cruises. Step back in time as we visit the islands, bays, and coastal villages of this magical region.

2. Traverse City Bass Guide Service

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 8 reviews

Traverse City Bass Guide Service

Fish East and West Grand Traverse Bays and area inland lakes for trophy smallmouth bass from the comfort of a fully-rigged Ranger Z-520 bass boat with Michigan native, Captain Ben Wolfe. We use only artificial baits, utilizing the latest in tournament-proven techniques. Come and experience the thrill of this world-class smallmouth fishery. USCG licensed, inspected and insured.

3. Two Brothers Sailing Adventures

Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 148 reviews

Two Brothers Sailing Adventures

Sail with us and experience the beauty of West Grand Traverse Bay right from the water (bring your camera, these views are too good to miss!) Michele, our 37 foot Center Cockpit O’Day sailboat will take guests on a stable, safe ride combining the exhilaration of fresh air and waves on our deck with the sunshine up above. Whether you’re looking for something the whole family can enjoy or a romantic evening out for two, your sail on Michele is sure to be a memorable highlight. See some of the Bay’s most beautiful views up close and personal ~ it could be Old Mission Peninsula with its panoramic vineyards, the skyline of downtown Traverse City, or even one of the Cherry Festival’s concerts at open space! Our sailing excursions are consistently rated among the top things to do in Traverse City, and our thousands of happy guests can testify.

4. Daydreamer Fishing Charters

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 41 reviews

Daydreamer Fishing Charters

We operate fishing charters around the greater Grand Traverse Bay area including fishing East and West Grand Traverse Bays. Fishing Lake Michigan from ports located in Leland and Frankfort. With over 15 years of professional fishing experience, we welcome families and anglers of all skill levels to enjoy and experience the waters that we have grown up boating and fishing on.

5. Sailing Yacht Scout - Day Tours

Excellent
98%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 135 reviews

Sailing Yacht Scout - Day Tours

Sailing Yacht Scout will whisk you away on a luxurious private cruise for up to 6 guests. Sail the spectacular waters of Grand Traverse Bay for a few hours or take the whole day and head over the horizon. For added adventure, enjoy our overnight package; including 3 hr. sunset sail,

6. Storm Hawk Sport Fishing Charters

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 63 reviews

Storm Hawk Sport Fishing Charters

Charter Fishing beautiful Traverse City, Michigan! Captain Brady Anderson has been fishing the waters of Traverse City his whole life. He truly enjoys taking each skill level of angler out daily, from the most seasoned of anglers to your first time! Offering three trips daily which times will change through the season generally 6am, noon, and 6pm are a good guide line. Traverse City offers fantastic fishing for Salmon, Trout, Steelhead, Brown Trout, and Cisco. All tackle is provided

7. Mega-Bite Fishing Charters

Excellent
99%
Good
1%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 107 reviews

Mega-Bite Fishing Charters

Join us on our 31' Tiara on the shimmering Traverse City East Bay for the fishing adventure of your summer and tales you'll tell for a lifetime! The East Bay offers Lake Trout, Salmon, Brown Trout and Steelhead. Trip times adjust seasonally, but generally four hour excursions at 6:00 am, Noon, and 6:00 pm. Longer trips are available upon request. Nominated for Small Business of the Year 31′ Tiara with top of the line equipment Lake Trout, King Salmon, Brown Trout and Steelhead Four hour excursions at 6:00 am, Noon, and 6:00 pm Longer trips are available upon request Each charter can accommodate six clients and all experience levels All equipment, cleaning, pop/water, and a photo souvenir are included About the Captain A Traverse City native, Captain Adam Collett has fished the pristine wilderness lakes in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the flats in the Florida Keys, and trout streams in Montana…even catfish in the Mississippi! But the waters of our beloved East Bay continue to capture his heart. Captain Collett is a adamant supporter of the Grand Traverse Area Sport Fishing Association. He applauds the GTASFA’s efforts in meeting with the DNR to help regulate responsible fishing. A reasonable limitation on total catches per year will allow a healthy and prolific fishery to continue for decades as well as protecting our waters from invasive species. Competitive by nature, Adam takes every charter trip as a personal challenge; yours will be no exception. A father of two, he takes particular delight in watching the spark in the eye of a child as he or she lands their first big fish. His goal is to teach the youngsters how to fish and love the water all while fishing safely and…with patience!

8. Big Kahuna Charters

Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 17 reviews

Big Kahuna Charters

​Experience the Best in Traverse City Charter Fishing with the Big Kahuna & Pisces Charters! With over 20 Tournament wins across the Great Lakes that include 5 Big Jon Salmon Classics, it's no secret why the Big Kahuna & Pisces Team are seen across the USA on sport fishing programs that air on NBC, CBS, and Fox. With this amount of success and experience, our Captains and 1st mates have the ultimate "know-how" and skills to work together to catch big fish, and lots of them!

9. The River Outfitters

Excellent
90%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 106 reviews

The River Outfitters

The River Outfitters is Traverse City's original outdoor adventure company, offering kayaks, bikes, and stand up paddleboards for rent, or you can join a guided or unguided tour. Spring and Summer Tasting Tours are a blast! Leave the driving to us and taste the very best brews, wines, cocktails and ciders. Book your rental or a tour with us, and we’ll customize your experience based on the weather, local events, your interests, and skill levels. We’re here to make sure you have fun and create unforgettable memories. We don't have customers – we have friends, and we're eager to share what makes Northern Michigan so amazing. We will begin operating June 20th through the fall. See you then!

10. Great Lakes Sailing Company

Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Great Lakes Sailing Company

Charter a yacht and sail beautiful northern Lake Michigan. 25 boats from 30'-46' available for bareboat or captained charter for a few hours to a few weeks. If you aren't a sailor, we are an award winning ASA sailing school offering basic to advanced courses. The best way to visit the quaint harbor towns of northern Michigan.New boat dealer for Gemini Catamarans, Marlow-Hunter and Jeanneau yachts.

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.