Quick Details
Adult
Ages 18+
$ 55
Youth
Ages 13-17
$ 35
Kid
12 and under
$ 5
Explore Baileys Harbor from the Water With Shoreline Boat Tours!
Set a course for an unforgettable adventure on the vast and clear waters of Lake Michigan, where history, mystery, and breathtaking scenery come to life!
This one-of-a-kind boat tour takes you on a journey through time, uncovering ghostly shipwrecks, iconic lighthouses, including Cana Island Lighthouse, and major tracts of undeveloped shoreline along Toft Point and The Ridges Sanctuary.
Our narrated boat tours feature slideshow photos (on large screen monitors) that bring to life the rich maritime history and vibrant present of this local treasure!
What Awaits You on This Tour?
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- Dive into Maritime History – Our first stop is a fascinating shipwreck just off the Ridges Sanctuary swimming beach. As we cruise along the sandy shoreline there is much history to share, everything from the ridge and swale formations of the Ridges Sanctuary, historical resorts, to the Jimmy L, an abandoned tugboat stuck in the sandy shallow water.
- Lighthouses with Stories to Tell – Next, we visit the Baileys Harbor Lighthouse, fondly nicknamed the “Birdcage.” You’ll understand why the moment you see it! Nearby, we explore two more historic wooden shipwrecks before carefully navigating around a shallow, rocky shoal—because we have no plans of becoming the next shipwreck!
- Nature at Its Best – As we cruise past Toft Point, Moonlight Bay, and 4,000 acres of protected lands, you’ll experience the raw undeveloped beauty of Door County’s shoreline as our narrators expand on the unique ecology of the Ridges Sanctuary.
- A Picture-Perfect Lighthouse Moment – No trip would be complete without a slow cruise by the Cana Island Lighthouse, which just happens to be the most photographed lighthouse in Wisconsin! We’ll take our time to ensure you get that perfect shot of this legendary landmark!
- On the way back, we’ll explore Lake Michigan Fishery, the natives, the invasives and the transplants. We’ll also explore commercial fishing, recreational fishing and of course the Friday fish fry favorites!
- First Mate Status – Young explorers can earn their salt by completing a word find game, learning to tie a bowline knot and committing to the Door County Pledge! Diploma-like certificates are signed by the captain and are a keepsake for this great memory maker! Who knows, if you’re good, the captain may let you steer the ship under their watchful eyes!
- Guided Safely Home – As the tour winds down, learn and experience how the historic Baileys Harbor Range Lights work as they safely guide us back to the marina—so we don’t end up beached in the sand!
- Adventure, history, and stunning scenery – this on water experience has the power to stir your soul!
Book your spot now and discover the magic of Baileys Harbor from the water!
Our “Must Visit” Door County Educational Partners
The Ridges Sanctuary and Cana Island Lighthouse —two incredible destinations that showcase the natural beauty and history of Door County! Their breathtaking landscapes and rich history will leave you inspired.
Building community
Our high quality narration is made possible by our Educational Partners.
With every Adult ticket purchase, Shoreline Boat Tours proudly donates $5 to support these remarkable organizations—helping to preserve and share Door County’s history, culture, and environment for generations to come.
Your adventure doesn’t just take you on the water—it helps keep history and nature alive and well!
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Cana Island Lighthouse is Door County’s most iconic lighthouse, built in1869 and celebrating more than 150 years of standing watch on the shore of Lake Michigan! Walk the causeway to the island if the water is low enough, or if the water is high, ride the hay wagon! There is much to explore on the island. Check out the interpretive center and museum, the 89-foot-tall lighthouse with light keepers home, and climb the 97 steps of the tower’s spiral staircase to reach the lighthouse gallery deck for sweeping views of Lake Michigan and the Door County peninsula. Then, be sure to find your way to the shoreline where you will see, hear and feel the sheer power and vastness of Lake Michigan!
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The Ridges Sanctuary is named for its distinctive topography – a series of 30 ridges and swales formed by Lake Michigan retreating over the past 1100 years. The Ridges has a robust interpretive center explaining the unique topography, flora, and fauna that live within the dune ridges and swales. From there, explore the Range Light buildings and walk the trails to experience first hand what you saw in the Nature Center. The Ridges campus boasts 1,600 acres in and around Baileys Harbor. In recognition of its rich diversity, The Ridges Sanctuary has been designated as a Wisconsin State Natural Area, a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service, a National Audubon Important Bird Area and a Wisconsin Wetland Gem. Go ahead, take a “forest bath”. It will soothe your soul!