Do I need prior experience handling butterflies?

No, expert guides provide all the instruction necessary for safe and effective Monarch tagging.

Is the trip suitable for children?

Yes, the cruise is family-friendly and designed for all ages interested in nature and science.

What happens to the butterflies after tagging?

Tagged butterflies are released back into the wild to continue their migration unimpeded.

Are there restroom facilities on the boat?

Yes, the vessel is equipped with restroom facilities for participant comfort.

How important is this tagging to Monarch conservation?

Tagging provides crucial data to track Monarch populations and migration, helping scientists protect the species.

What if the weather is bad?

Trips may be rescheduled or canceled for safety if conditions on Death’s Door are too rough.

Monarch Tagging Cruise with Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands

Death’s Door, the narrow strait that splits Wisconsin’s Door Peninsula from Washington Island, is more than a mere waterway; it’s a critical migratory corridor for Monarch butterflies. Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands offers a distinctive 4-hour Butterfly Cruise / Workshop that transforms participants into Citizen Scientists. Sailing from Ellison Bay, visitors embark on a journey across these choppy waters toward wildlife refuges where Monarchs congregate before their epic migration south.

Onboard, the experience shifts from passive sightseeing to active conservation. Under expert guidance, attendees learn to net Monarch butterflies, carefully attach tiny monitoring tags, and document these delicate creatures’ movements. This hands-on role supports important research on Monarch populations and migration routes, offering travelers a rare intersection of adventure and meaningful contribution.

The setting itself commands attention—rocky islands and wetlands define the refuge areas, providing essential habitat for Monarchs and other species. The timing of the cruise aligns with peak migration periods, revealing waves of orange-winged travelers fluttering amid the prairie flowers and milkweed, the butterflies’ native food source. This location is unique because the surrounding waters act as a natural funnel, concentrating Monarchs and creating one of the most accessible tagging sites in the region.

Beyond butterflies, the trip immerses guests in the natural rhythm of the Door Peninsula ecosystem, connecting them to conservation efforts shaped by the Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands. This nonprofit organization plays a crucial role preserving these fragile habitats that support diverse wildlife while fostering community engagement through experiential education.

For travelers seeking an adventure that blends ecological stewardship with light physical activity on the water, this Monarch tagging cruise stands apart within Wisconsin’s landscape. It offers a quiet yet profound passage into the ongoing story of one of North America’s most iconic pollinators and the waters that guide their journey.

About Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands

Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands is a volunteer-driven nonprofit based in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin, dedicated to promoting, preserving, and providing access to the natural and maritime heritage of Plum and Pilot Islands. The organization organizes guided cruises, workshops, and private charters that visit historic lighthouses, life-saving stations, shipwreck sites, and the unique ecosystems of the Niagara Escarpment. Trips include photography workshops with a 14-person limit, lighthouse cruises with stops on Plum Island, private out-island and Rock Island State Park tours, a Fayette State Park ghost town cruise, a Monarch butterfly tagging cruise, and custom private charters aboard The Shoreline.

Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands partners with subject-matter experts and regional organizations for educational programs, including a Niagara Escarpment Field Day with Don Mikulic from the Niagara Escarpment Resource Network. Events focus on hands-on learning, natural history, and maritime preservation while offering scenic hiking, picnicking, and interpretive commentary. The group’s public programs support ongoing preservation and interpretation of Range Lights, the historic Life Saving Station, and other island resources.

Visitors book directly for scheduled lighthouse cruises, workshops, and passport days, or arrange private and custom charters for groups. Safety briefings, interpretive guidance, and small-group formats are emphasized to protect fragile island habitats and historic structures. Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands maintains a transparent program schedule from Ellison Bay and works with local partners to ensure reliable access to Plum and Pilot Islands for education and conservation. Online reservations and detailed trip itineraries are available spring through fall annually.