What is the meeting location?

The meeting point is Coast Guard Park, East Street, Two Rivers, WI 54241; free parking is available on site.

How long is the sail?

The Great Lakes Discovery Sail runs approximately three hours.

Is this suitable for children and school groups?

Yes—this program is designed for families and students, with hands-on stations appropriate for school groups.

Can I bring food or glass containers?

Do not bring glass containers or outside food; a small water bottle is permitted.

What happens if I’m late?

Arrive 20–30 minutes early; if delayed call the ship phone at 231.620.9719.

What will we sample and study?

Typical stations include plankton tows, lake-bottom grabs, fish identification and basic water-quality tests.

hands-on-great-lakes-discovery-sail-two-rivers

Step aboard the 77′ schooner Inland Seas for a three-hour Great Lakes Discovery Sail that departs from Coast Guard Park in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. On Lake Michigan’s western shore this program combines hands-on seamanship with field science: passengers raise anchor, hoist sails, take the helm and rotate through learning stations that sample the lake’s living systems.

The meeting place is Coast Guard Park, East Street, Two Rivers, WI 54241; arrive 20–30 minutes early for check-in and free parking. Crewmembers run small-group stations in plankton tows, lake-bottom sampling, fish identification and basic water-quality tests supported by the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary. The schooner’s timber deck and canvas sails recall traditional Great Lakes sailing even as microscopes and data sheets turn curiosity into concrete results.

Key features are the 77′ schooner itself, broad Lake Michigan—a deep glacial freshwater basin—and the low rocky shoreline that helps concentrate wind for sailing. Visitors should watch for diving gulls, rafts of waterfowl and the flashes of lake trout, yellow perch and migratory salmon behind surface wakes. The plankton samples often reveal dense, living micro-communities under magnification that underscore how productive these nearshore waters can be.

What makes this trip distinct is the blend of active participation and science education: you are not a passive observer but part of the crew and the research process. Families and school groups especially benefit; students complete hands-on tests and return home with labeled samples and an understanding of modern Great Lakes stewardship. The program’s link to the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary also situates living ecosystems alongside regional maritime history and protection efforts.

Practical notes: dress for cooler winds off the lake—layered outerwear and non-slip shoes are recommended; avoid flip-flops. A small water bottle is fine but avoid glass and outside food. If you’re delayed, call the ship phone at 231.620.9719. Sails run seasonally—contact the operator for dates and group bookings.

Why go? This sail packs textbook lessons into three hours on the water: you’ll learn basic sailing maneuvers, execute scientific sampling techniques and leave with a sharper sense of Lake Michigan’s living landscape. For anyone curious about freshwater ecology, maritime history or the feel of old-school sailing, the Inland Seas Discovery Sail in Two Rivers delivers an engaging, evidence-driven day on one of North America’s great lakes.

Booking is simple and family-friendly; spaces fill fast on sunny weekends so reserve early through the operator’s booking page. At sail’s end guests receive labeled samples and short interpretive notes so students and adults can compare observations. The program favors practical, tactile learning—data you can examine later at home or in class—ideal for teachers, curious adults and young naturalists who want a hands-on entry to Lake Michigan science today.

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.