Huron Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Big Bay, Michigan
9 hours (6 miles)

The beacon of Lighthouse Island gleams into the Northern Michigan night from its lonely vantage point three miles off the south shore of Lake Superior. Lighthouse Island, or West Huron, is the second largest of eight islands comprising the Huron Islands National Wildlife Refuge. Despite their small size, totalling only 147 acres, the remoteness and primitive quality of these islands have earned them the designation of a Wilderness Area.

Only West Huron Island (Lighthouse Island) is open to the public, during daylight hours, for hiking and nature study. All remaining islands are closed to the public. Exceptions are emergency landings by boats in distress.

Departing from the Big Bay Harbor after loading our kayaks it's about a 30-45 minute trip to the Huron Islands which are located about 12 miles west of Big Bay. Transportation to the Huron Islands is aboard one of our pontoon boats. On this cruise as we leave Big Bay Harbor we keep a sharp lookout for fisherman's nets that are set out to catch the Whitefish found on menu's in many local restaurants. Rounding Salmon Trout Point to our port and if the visibility is good we can see these magnificent islands looming to our westward about 12 miles. Notice the 100 ft. high vertical cliffs on the Point and the erosion of the rock due to the relentless pounding of the waves from strong fall storms that allow waves to build up 30 feet on occasion.

Salmon Trout Bay is off our port (left) , you can see the Salmon Trout River and a sandy beach and eagles nest and the remnants of an old stone dock used in the lumbering days of old to load the logs of native white pine down bound! to Chicago in the early 20th century. The next point is Conway Point. Again, high cliffs much like you see on the Pictured Rocks Cruises shaped by erosion for the relentless sea. On shore here is the Huron Mountain Club and the Huron Mountains in the background. The Huron Mountain Club was started by many wealthy industrialists in the late 1800's as a retreat for their families. Folks like Henry Ford and other prominent business people were members and many of their descendants still have summer homes in this exclusive club. After Conway Bay we pass Pine River Point and then the Huron River Point on the way to the Hurons.

You cannot help from being awed by the beauty of the Huron Mountains in the background as it looks like you are sailing into a postcard. Once we reach the Huron Islands we slow down as we pass by Cattle Island. So named because cattle from the wooden side-wheeler steamer "Arctic" ended up here after going hard on the rocks in the fall of 1860. We'll also look for some Native American Pictographs which are said to be here. I've never seen them but you might. We'll then head over to the Lighthouse Island and the boat house where we can tie up and disembark. After a short hike up to see the lighthouse and the beautiful scenery and views of the Huron Mountains and the Keweenaw Peninsula its back down to the boathouse to get ready for a kayaking adventure second to none. Paddling around the island you’ll see Loons, Eagles, Blue Herons, Mergansers, and other sea birds. The scenery is strikingly beautiful as these granite islands rise almost vertically from the depths of Lake Superior. Paddling around Lighthouse Island look for Indian Pictographs and glacial scars. Just below the surface on the eastern side of Lighthouse Island lie the remnants of the Steamer “Artic” that rammed into the rocks in dense fog in 1860. Occasionally pieces of metal and glass are still found wedged in the rock crevasses that make up the eastern side of the island. Continuing over to Cattle Island look for more wildlife and Indian pictographs. The islands are only about 200 yards apart.

Reservations required.

Itinerary

• Meet Thunder Bay Inn 9:00AM

• Transport to islands & safety briefing 9:00 - 10:30

• Short tour to light house 10:30 - 11:15

• Paddling 11:15 - 12:30

• Lunch 12:30 - 1:30

• Paddling 1:30 - 4:30

• Transport to shore & load up 4:30 - 6:00PM

On all of our Lake Superior Sea Kayak Trips we provide the below listed items:

You should bring: