Is prior sailing experience required?

No, this is a guided sail suitable for beginners and non-sailors.

Are food or drinks provided on board?

No, guests may bring their own beverages, but alcoholic drinks are subject to policy.

What happens if weather is poor?

Trips may be rescheduled or canceled for safety if conditions are unsafe or visibility is poor.

Are children allowed on the night sail?

Guests should verify age restrictions directly with the operator, but generally suitable for older children.

Is there shelter on the boat?

The vessel has partial shelter, but guests should prepare for open-air conditions.

How many people are on each sail?

Sails are typically limited to small groups to maintain an intimate atmosphere and safe sailing.

Night Sailing & Stargazing on Suttons Bay Great Lakes

Located in the heart of Suttons Bay, Michigan, Night Sail offers a rare chance to spend two hours gliding silently across the Great Lakes under a canopy of stars. This experience presents a harmonious blend of sailing and astronomy, making it a must-do for travelers seeking peaceful nighttime adventure and cosmic wonder. As your skilled captain navigates calm waters, a professional astronomer will guide you through the night sky’s sparkling constellations, planets, and even distant galaxies. Unlike typical daytime lake cruises, this trip reveals the lake’s hidden serenity and a celestial display far beyond city lights’ reach.

Suttons Bay itself is a charming village on Lake Michigan’s eastern shore, known for its clear waters and stunning waterfront views. The Night Sail spotlights the lake’s vastness and the natural darkness ideal for starwatching, complemented by fresh lake breezes and the gentle sound of waves. Participants may encounter nocturnal wildlife and witness the shifting hues of twilight as daylight surrenders to night.

What sets this offering apart is the blend of education and leisure — guests don’t just float; they engage with the cosmos narratively and visually. You gain insight into local astronomical history and techniques to identify celestial bodies, enriching your understanding of both the lake and the universe overhead.

Ideal for couples, solo travelers, or small groups, the journey emphasizes tranquility and connection with nature. With the local harbor nearby, Suttons Bay’s vibrant small-town charm invites visitors before or after the sail, rounding out a memorable evening.

This starlit cruise stands as a one-of-a-kind outdoor activity in northern Michigan, combining water adventure and wildlife with an intimate encounter with the night sky, far from urban distractions.

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.