Explore Plum & Pilot Islands — Lighthouses, Wildlife & Private Charters

Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands — Door County Island Tours and Charters

Discover Plum Island and Pilot Island with Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands, operating from Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. The organization offers a range of island-focused experiences including lighthouse cruises, photography workshops, Monarch butterfly tagging, geology field days, historic site tours, and custom private charters. These Door County excursions combine maritime history, wildlife observation, and hands-on learning while supporting local preservation efforts.

Popular Trips and What to Expect

• Plum Island Photography Workshop: A small-group workshop (14 seats) focused on seaside landscapes, Range Lights, and the Life Saving Station. Ideal for photographers seeking guided instruction on composition and light.
• Death's Door Lighthouse Cruise (with Plum Island stop): A premier lighthouse cruise spotlighting Pilot Island Lighthouse and Plum Island historic sites, with views of a documented 1867 shipwreck from the boat deck.
• Private Out-Island Cruise & Private Charters: Customizable 5–6 hour lighthouse and island cruises exploring remote lights, limestone cliffs, and shipwreck sites between Door County and Michigan’s Garden Peninsula. Charters aboard The Shoreline offer tailored itineraries.
• Private Rock Island State Park Tour: A scenic 5–6 hour boat ride to Rock Island State Park featuring the Niagara Escarpment, Boyers Bluff Light, and the Louisiana shipwreck, with hiking and picnicking opportunities.
• Private Fayette State Park (Ghost Town) Tour: A 7–8 hour cruise to Fayette, Michigan, combining preserved historical buildings and limestone-cliff vistas.
• Butterfly Cruise / Workshop: A 4-hour citizen-science day for Monarch butterfly tagging and migration study, engaging participants in conservation data collection.
• Niagara Escarpment Field Day: A 4-hour field day with expert Don Mikulic from the Niagara Escarpment Resource Network, pairing a presentation with a guided hike highlighting unique plants and geological features.
• Custom Private Sunset Cruise: A 2.5-hour sunset cruise offering views of Washington, Plum, and Pilot islands and Niagara Escarpment bluffs.
• Lighthouse Passport Days: Special events focused on Plum and Pilot Islands for lighthouse passport participants and historic-site visitors.

Why Choose These Door County Lighthouse Cruises

• Historic Interpretation: Tours visit Range Lights, Life Saving Station sites, Boyers Bluff Light, and known shipwreck locations, delivering focused maritime history.
• Small-Group Learning: Workshops and interpretive cruises emphasize limited enrollment and educational value, including expert-led field days.
• Conservation and Research: Programs like the Monarch tagging cruise contribute to citizen science and regional conservation efforts.
• Flexible Options: Public scheduled cruises and private charters accommodate photography groups, families, and organizations seeking tailored itineraries.

Planning and Practical Information

• Departure point: Ellison Bay, Wisconsin. Seasonal schedules, reservations, and detailed itineraries are provided for spring through fall.
• Trip lengths vary from 2.5 hours to full-day 7–8 hour excursions; bring appropriate footwear, sun protection, and provisions for picnics on island stops.

Explore lighthouses, photograph coastal landscapes, join butterfly tagging, or book a private charter — Friends of Plum and Pilot Islands provides multiple Door County island experiences that combine history, geology, and wildlife observation on Plum and Pilot Islands.