CHEBOYGAN BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Under the Mackinac Bridge and Around the Lighthouse: A Four‑Hour Cruise Aboard OLIVE
A 4-hour boat tour departing from Mackinaw City aboard OLIVE, a 24-foot Parker offshore boat, that cruises under the Mackinac Bridge, rounds Mackinac and Round Islands, and offers close views of Round Island Lighthouse and a possible Great Lakes freighter sighting.
Under the Mackinac Bridge and Around the Lighthouse: A Four‑Hour Cruise Aboard OLIVE.
Set out from Mackinaw City and climb aboard OLIVE, a 24-foot Parker offshore boat, for a four‑hour cruise that threads under the Mackinac Bridge, skirts the north flank of Mackinac Island, slips through the narrow channel by Round Island and Bois Blanc Island, and brings you within sight of the Round Island Lighthouse and the bustling Mackinac Island Harbor — all delivered with local stories from the captain.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Photograph the Mackinac Bridge from below
The cruise takes you out under the Mackinac Bridge early in the route, presenting wide photographic and viewing opportunities of the span from the water.
Close approaches to Round Island Lighthouse
Cruising around the south shore of Round Island brings the lighthouse into close view as the boat sails into Mackinac Island Harbor, letting passengers study the structure from the water.
A full circuit: north shore, channel, harbor and Grand Hotel
After passing under the bridge the route moves around the north side of Mackinac Island, through the narrow channel separating Round Island and Bois Blanc, into Mackinac Island Harbor, then along the southern shore up to the Grand Hotel before returning to Mackinaw City.
What the day feels like
What the four‑hour cruise feels like
The trip unfolds as a paced coastal circuit: an outward leg beneath the Mackinac Bridge, a leisurely sweep around Mackinac Island’s north shore, a crossing into the tight channel between Round and Bois Blanc Islands for up‑close shoreline viewing, a harbor pass to see the action at Mackinac Island, a shoreline run to the Grand Hotel, and a return to Mackinaw City with the possibility of approaching a Great Lakes freighter if one is transiting the passage.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this cruise suits — and who should note the restriction.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
This cruise runs four hours.
Passengers meet in Mackinaw City and board OLIVE, a 24-foot Parker offshore boat.
The tour is operated by Pappy's Tours aboard the vessel OLIVE.
No specific gear requirements are provided in the trip details.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Mackinac & Round Islands Cruise?
The cruise lasts four hours.
Where do we meet for the cruise?
You meet in Mackinaw City to board the vessel.
What vessel is used for the tour?
The trip is aboard OLIVE, a 24-foot Parker offshore boat.
Is there an age minimum for passengers?
Yes — the cruise is for ages 12 and up.
What are the main sights on the cruise?
Highlights include passing under the Mackinac Bridge, cruising around Mackinac Island, close views of Round Island Lighthouse, sailing into Mackinac Island Harbor, a shoreline run past the Grand Hotel, and possibly a close approach to a Great Lakes freighter if one is transiting the passage.
Who operates the Mackinac & Round Islands Cruise?
The cruise is operated by Pappy's Tours.