Hands-On Great Lakes Adventures Aboard Historic Schooners
Educational sails, night sky cruises, ROV engineering, and dorm lodging — immersive maritime experiences in Traverse City and Suttons Bay.
Featured Experiences
From Schoolship science trips to public night sails and ROV programs — meaningful, curriculum-aligned Great Lakes experiences for all ages.
About Inland Seas Education Association
Inland Seas Education Association provides immersive Great Lakes education through hands-on sailing trips, STEM programs, and group lodging. Operating historic tall ships including the 105' schooner Alliance and the 77' schooner Inland Seas, the organization delivers public sails, schoolship science expeditions, night sky cruises, and watershed exploration programs that connect participants with lake ecology.
Programs offered include Schoolship registration aboard both Alliance and Inland Seas, four-hour student research cruises where learners collect and analyze aquatic samples, and fisheries netting sails that support Michigan DNR research. The ROV Engineer and Explore program guides students to design, build, and operate remotely operated vehicles, blending engineering practice with marine stewardship. Public experiences include Night Sail events in Traverse City and Suttons Bay and Schooner Showcase sails that place guests among majestic tall ships on Grand Traverse Bay. For residential groups, dormitory lodging at the Capt. Thomas M. Kelly Biological Station accommodates up to 12 guests in a quiet Suttons Bay setting.
The organization emphasizes curriculum-aligned lessons, certified instructors, and partnerships with regional researchers to ensure educational rigor and safety. By combining authentic sailing with hands-on science, Inland Seas Education Association fosters environmental stewardship, inspires future scientists and mariners, and offers repeatable programs tailored to school groups, families, and adult learners.
Participants can expect professional crew, clearly defined learning objectives, and opportunities to contribute real data to regional research efforts.
Book a Sail, Build an ROV, Inspire a Scientist
Reserve schoolship seats, sign up for public night sails, or register students for ROV and watershed programs — limited spots available for seasonal cruises.