Kayaking Beaver Island's Waters: What to Know
Diane Kolak
Kayaking the open waters of the Beaver Island archipelago is challenging, stunning and often thrilling. Here's some of what you need to know to get started.
Getting to Beaver Island From Charlevoix
Ferry: Beaver Island Boat Co., 888-446-4095, bibco.com
Plane: Island Airways, 800-524-6895, islandairways.com; Fresh Air Aviation, 231-237-9482, freshairaviation.net
Private Boat: Beaver Island Marina, 231-448-2300, beaverislandmarina.com. Beaver Island Yacht Dock, 231-448-2252.
Getting to the Outer Islands
Captain Dan Higdon will take you to any or all of the islands. Island Hopper Charter Service: 231-448-2309 or cellular 231-620-2058, islandhopper.beaverisland.net
Paddle to Hog or Garden with kayak guide Ken Bruland. Inland Seas School of Kayaking, 231-448-2221, inlandseaskayaking.com
Stay the Night
Weathervane Terrace, Charlevoix. 800-552-0025. weathervane-chx.com
AmericInn, Charlevoix. 800-396-5007. americinn.com
Beaver Island Lodge, Beaver Island. 231-448-2396, beaverislandlodge.com
More Beaver Island lodging: beaverisland.org
Garden, High and Hog Islands:
Primitive camping only. For more information and to obtain a camp registration card that you need to keep on your person while you're on the island, call the Department of Natural Resources, Gaylord office. 989-732-3541.
Archipelago Reads
The Journal of Beaver Island History Volumes I-IV (Beaver Island Historical Society)
Assassination of a Michigan King by Roger Van Noord (University of Michigan Press, 2000)
Elizabeth Edwards is managing editor of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine.
lissa@traversemagazine.com
Note: This article was first published in August 2006 and was updated for the web February 2008.
More on Paddling in Northern Michigan
- Restaurants and Inns Fill this 4-Day Kayak Tour of Chain of Lakes
- Kayaking the Archipelago of the Gods
- Kayak Safety Tips for Fall Color Tour Paddling
- Kayaking Keweenaw Peninsula
- Old Mission Gourmet Kayak Trips
- Fish From a Kayak
- Kayak Lake Superior's Shoreline
- Kayak the Crystal River
- Float Away on the Manistee
- Search MyNorth.com for "kayak" and get even more!
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I am planning a boat trip to Hog island this coming late spring or early summer. Any advice regarding how best to get in, what to watch out for, water levels etc. I've been told that i can get a 24' cabin cruiser into Fisherman's bay at the NW side of Hog no problem?
I'd suggest sending an email request to Beaver Island Marina. They may not answer the phone this time of year, but I'm guessing they'd receive your email. http://beaverislandmarina.com/BIMindex.html
Good luck! Sounds like a great trip! -- Jeff Smith, Editor