Climb aboard the 77′ schooner Inland Seas for a three-hour, hands-on science and sailing program out of Coast Guard Park in Two Rivers. Hoist sails, steer the helm, collect plankton and test water quality—an active, educational half-day on Lake Michigan that’s great for families and student groups.
Climb aboard the 77′ schooner Inland Seas for a three-hour, hands-on science and sailing program out of Coast Guard Park in Two Rivers. Hoist sails, steer the helm, collect plankton and test water quality—an active, educational half-day on Lake Michigan that’s great for families and student groups.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Inland Seas Education Association · Two Rivers, Wisconsin
easy.
3 hours.
Light mobility is required—able to move on deck, climb a short companionway and stand for portions of the sail.
The meeting point is Coast Guard Park, East Street, Two Rivers, WI 54241; free parking is available on site.
The Great Lakes Discovery Sail runs approximately three hours.
Yes—this program is designed for families and students, with hands-on stations appropriate for school groups.
Do not bring glass containers or outside food; a small water bottle is permitted.
Arrive 20–30 minutes early; if delayed call the ship phone at 231.620.9719.
Typical stations include plankton tows, lake-bottom grabs, fish identification and basic water-quality tests.
The program partners with the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, linking living ecosystems to the region’s maritime heritage and submerged cultural sites.
Sampling is educational and conducted under guidelines to minimize disturbance; visitors are encouraged to follow leave-no-trace practices and respect protected resources.
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 with Inland Seas Education Association