ELLISON BAY KAYAK FIELD GUIDE
Paddling Past Time: Kayaking to the Schooner Fleetwing and the Bluffs of Ellison Bay
A focused, two-hour sea-kayak exploration from Garrett Bay Boat Launch that visits the 1800s Schooner Fleetwing, Native American rock art and Door County’s dramatic bluffs.
Paddling Past Time: Kayaking to the Schooner Fleetwing and the Bluffs of Ellison Bay.
A two-hour sea-kayak outing on Lake Michigan unfolds like a compressed natural-history film: cedar-scented wind, sheer limestone bluffs rising from the water, and the ghost of the 1800s schooner Fleetwing sitting in shallows off Ellison Bay as you paddle quietly past ancient rock art and wide-open views toward Washington and Plum Islands.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Schooner Fleetwing — an 1800s shipwreck up close
One of the tour's standout moments is a close approach to the Schooner Fleetwing, an 1800s shipwreck that embodies Door County’s maritime history and the hidden hazards of the Great Lakes.
Ancient rock art in the bluffs
Hidden within the bluffs are Native American rock paintings more than 500 years old — quiet, evocative traces of the people who traveled these waters long before modern charts.
Great Lakes panoramas and local geology
Paddlers are treated to dramatic geology — including Door County’s tallest bluffs — and wide vistas that frame Washington Island, Plum Island and Gills Rock across the bay.
What the day feels like
What two hours on the water feels like
The tour moves with deliberate ease: a prompt meeting at Garrett Bay Boat Launch, a short fitting and paddle lesson, then a two-hour arc on Lake Michigan that alternates between attentive sightseeing at wrecks and rock art and relaxed stretches of open-water paddling beneath towering bluffs.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits — and who should check first.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The tour is a fixed two-hour outing; example schedules show a prompt start, a short 10-minute pre-launch briefing, then two hours on the water.
Bring sun protection: sunscreen, a sun hat and sunglasses are specifically recommended.
Meet at Garrett Bay Boat Launch for check-in, lifejacket fitting and paddle assignment before the tour departs.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
What happens if bad weather cancels my tour?
Tours will be rescheduled to later that day or the following day depending on weather; the operator requests one reschedule attempt due to Great Lakes conditions and full refunds are not given for reschedules.
Can I still get a full refund if I do not buy Trip Protection?
If you cancel 14 days in advance you can receive a refund minus processing fees; cancellations within 14 days are not refundable but store credit with no expiration will be issued.
Is the 20% deposit required for reservation refundable?
No — the 20% deposit required for reservation is non-refundable, but it can be applied to future bookings with no expiration if you cancel or the tour is canceled due to weather.
What if I’m on a tight schedule and can’t reschedule?
Purchase Trip Protection to be eligible for a 100% refund of your tour less processing fees plus the cost of Trip Protection if something happens and you cannot reschedule.
How long is the paddle lesson before we launch?
There is a quick, roughly 10-minute introductory paddle lesson that covers basic strokes and safety tips before launching.