Fun adventure in TC!
I absolutely loved riding along the tart trail on the e-bike. I enjoyed taking in the sights and riding to the lovely winery at Shady Lanes.
Unforgettable Sailing and Backpacking Adventure: North Manitou Island
Experience two days Sailing with Traverse City Maritime Heritage Alliance on the schooner Champion
Backpack on historic North Manitou Island
A truly unique experience in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Sail two separate days aboard the historic Cutter Champion. Assist the Captain in hoisting the sails or lounge on deck under the sun. Explore and camp on North Manitou Island. Professional guides will assist and safely aid you in your backpacking experience.
Highlights
Sail aboard a vintage Great Lakes Schooner on Lake Michigan.
Participate as an active crewmember.
Witness panoramic vistas of Lake Michigan from massive Island dunes.
Stroll miles of sugar sand beaches
Click the Tabs to Find out More
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
$975 per person (call for group rates)
Departure time
8:00 am
Meeting point
Northport Marina
105 Rose St, Northport, MI 49670
Availability
(4 days) June 19-22, 2022
(4 days) June 22-25, 2022
Duration
4 days (first and last days will be on the sailboat)
Group size
Semi private groups of 4-8 persons
Participation requirements
Skill level: able to walk up to 5 miles with up to 45lb pack
Age: min. age 14
Included
Not included
What to bring
A PDF packing list will be sent to you once you complete your booking.
About your guide
1- Licensed sailboat captain
1- First Mate crew
1 or 2 -professional backcountry guides (dependant on group size)
Overview Of The Tour
This is a one of a kind experience to North Manitou island. From the first moment you arrive, you will be stepping back into time. The schooner Champion is a vintage wooden Cutter owned by the Traverse City Maritime Alliance. Help hoist her sails and feel the exhilaration of sailing this vessel for a full day to the Island.
Once on the Island, we explore historic settlements and 1890s era Coast Guard Rescue Station. We Explore the island by backpack for three days to incredible natural dune formations and camp along miles of wide open beaches. This is a backcountry experience and common comfort amenities are not available on the island. Our professional staff strives to make your experience as enjoyable as possible. Leave No Trace camping practices will be exercised. We are happy to teach all outdoor skills to you if you are unfamiliar.
Good To Know
North Manitou Island is a remote location in the middle of Lake Michigan. Individuals must be of sound health and fitness. Use your best judgment if you want to attend this tour. We welcome anyone who has wanted to experience wilderness backpacking on an intermediate entry level. Our guides are knowledgeable and willing to teach the techniques required. Walking up to 5 miles per day over hilly, sandy, and/ or rooted uneven ground with 50L packs will be experienced. We cannot control Mother Nature and it is possible to experience inclement weather or natural conditions. Facilities are limited to rustic toilet facilities at the ranger station. If you’d prefer more of a campground experience let us know, we would like to assist you. We have group campsites in South Manitou for a more family friendly experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you may contact the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to purchase a park entrance pass or contact LyfMotiv Adventures and we can assist you.
See What Our Guests Say...
Great and smooth sailing around West Bay!
Had a great time sailing down and around West Bay. Smooth times and great calm water as we sailed the coast of Leelanau County. West bay is one of the best places to adventure in Michigan when you want to explore but not to get too far away from the convenances or restaurants of Traverse City.
100% win!
We chose the ebike-sunset sail and to say we had a blast is an understatement! Eric is a fantastic host! We highly recommend booking – you won’t regret it!
Unlike any other!
Just returned from a trip to South Manitou Island with Eric from Lyfmotiv. The journey was great…but when combined with Eric’s expert knowledge, deep experience, and gentle personality it was unforgettably amazing! Go with him. You will not regret it. He makes a great trip even better.
We had the best time!
It was nice to enjoy the area at a slower pace, taking in all the details as we travelled. The E-bikes were comfortable to ride and the paved trail had some lovely views. Lake Michigan is even more beautiful when you are on the bay. In a sailboat. Our guide was very knowledgeable as well as interesting and we learned a lot. Looking forward to the next adventure already!
Can’t wait to go again!
This was the best way to experience Northern Michigan I have ever had. What an amazing adventure….water, wind, sand, biking through some of the most beautiful trails in the US! The captain, Eric is amazing. He has a wealth of knowledge and we certainly felt the experience was once in a lifetime.
Just book the trip. You don’t need to read this review.
The five-star rating says it all. It was a great trip! Lyfmotiv did an excellent job of communicating with us leading up to our day on the trail and water. Don’t pass this one up, folks! I’ll be telling people about this mini-adventure for a long time.
