Pictured Rocks Cruises

Pictured Rocks seen from Sand Point.

Most area visitors see the Pictured Rocks by taking a 37-mile boat cruise from Munising. Now it's a little longer and slower, about three hours. Most people like that.

Late-afternoon light is best for seeing the colors. The 5 p.m. cruise is recommended, or the Sunset Cruise, between 6 and 7, depending on the season. These two times are only from July through Labor Day.

Arrive early to get a seat on the top deck, the best place to view the scenery. If you do sit on top, a may be a good idea, and a hat for the sun. No alcohol is allowed on board, a Coast Guard order. Pop, chips, and such are sold on the boat; passengers can also bring their own food.

The cruise departs rain or shine, but might be canceled by wind and weather conditions. Cloudy days may make the colors more vivid. Enclosed decks provide protection from wind and rain.

The cruise begins at the City Dock downtown. It first passes Grand Island, its sandstone cliffs, and the East Channel Lighthouse with its poetically weathered frame exterior. Privately owned, the lighthouse has now been restored. (See separate Point of Interest for Grand Island National Recreation Area.)

The tour competently points out key facts about Pictured Rocks and shows passengers their scenic highlights, from Miners Castle to Pulpit Rock to the Grand Portal. The tour boat gets close to the sandstone cliffs when possible. It slows down, and even moves into a narrow inlet on Battleship Row if conditions permit.

Narrations vary from one captain to another. Our recent cruise guide gave an intelligent narration, well informed about the rock colors, local history and legends, and rockfalls. (There is generally one rockfall a year, he said, due to water freezing, expanding,and breaking the soft sandstone.)

The diverse tourgoers enjoyed his talk. Quite a few were international graduate students from downstate universities. One young woman in stylish hiking attire said she never gets tired of the Pictured Rocks cruise and tried to take it every year.

The cruise company has a good web site, picturedrocks.com, with an overview of the area, waterfalls, and more. It's a good idea to reserve a spot the day ahead, and arrive half an hour before departure. —June, 2008

Pictured Rock Boat Cruises leave from the City Pier in downtown Munising from Friday before Memorial Day thru October 10, weather permitting. There are more wind and more cruise cancellations in fall.
Directions: From M-28, turn north toward the lake onto Elm at the four-corners, by the bank time and temperature sign. (906) 387-2379 or (800) 650-2375. picturedrocks.com
For 2008, adults around $32, children 6-13 $13, ages 5 and under free. Ask about group rates. (Rates may go up with fuel prices.) Wheelchair-accessible. Dog kennels available free of charge. .
Schedule for 2008:
*Friday before Mem. Day thru June 15: 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
* June 16th thru June 30: 10 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m.
* July 1st thru August 19: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. 5 p.m. plus Sunset Cruise (call for time.)
* August 20th thru Labor Day 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m. plus Sunset Cruise (call for time.)
* Day after Labor Day thru October 10: 10 a.m., 1:15 p.m., 4:30 p.m.

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