Ferry to the Island

The ferry is how almost everyone reaches Mackinac Island, and it is an attraction in itself. Several companies, including Shepler's, Star Line and Arnold Transit, run passenger boats between the island and the mainland towns of Mackinaw City on the Lower Peninsula and St. Ignace on the Upper Peninsula. Crossing times are short, typically somewhere between about fifteen and twenty-five minutes depending on the boat and the route, and the ride gives you your first look at the white bluffs, the fort and the Grand Hotel porch as the island comes into view. Different boats offer different experiences. Some are fast catamarans that skim across the water, throwing a rooster-tail of spray, while others are larger vessels with open upper decks for photographs. Many ferries pass under the Mackinac Bridge on the way or give a clear view of it, and some companies offer lighthouse and bridge cruises in addition to regular crossings. Fares are per person for a round trip, with discounts for children, and bikes and freight carry extra charges. Which port you choose depends on your travel plans. Mackinaw City suits visitors coming from the south, such as Detroit, Traverse City or Grand Rapids, while St. Ignace suits those arriving from the north or crossing the bridge from the Upper Peninsula.

Planning the crossing is straightforward. Check the departure schedule, which changes with the season, and arrive early in peak summer so you can park, buy tickets and board. Parking near the docks in both towns is available in paid lots, and some hotels offer shuttles. Buy tickets online ahead of time if the company allows it, particularly for the busy morning departures in July and August, when lines can be long. Return schedules matter too: confirm the last boat of the day so you are not stranded.

Luggage is handled by dray services, the island's horse-drawn delivery system. If you are staying overnight, many hotels arrange for your bags to be collected at the dock and delivered to your room, so you can walk off the boat with a light daypack. Day visitors should carry only what they need, because there are no cars and everything is moved on foot, by bike or by carriage.

Weather can affect the schedule. High winds, fog and ice can delay or cancel crossings, and the seasonal pattern is clear: frequent departures in summer, reduced service in spring and autumn, and limited winter service when ice can form in the Straits. If you plan to visit in the shoulder seasons, check each ferry company's current schedule and the island tourism board's updates before you travel.