Glen Arbor/Good Harbor Bay Kayaking Tour
Access Pyramid Point like few have—from below! Crystal River Outfitters offers self guided kayaking trips around Pyramid Point into Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s pristine Good Harbor Bay. On this trip you’ll paddle almost directly over a shipwreck in a passage of water that has become famous as Lake Michigan’s shipping lane graveyard getting the closest possible near-shore view of “the crib” and the Shoal Lighthouse constructed there. The Great Lake’s last manned offshore lighthouse (until 1980) was built on “the crib,” named for its baby crib like design, in 1935 and is a renowned attraction of the Grand Traverse area. Experience an unparalleled panorama of the area and spectacular views of North Manitou and its Shoal Lighthouse should you elect to beach your kayak and climb to Pyramid Point’s crow’s nest lookout. All this and more await you on the Glen Arbor/Good Harbor Bay.

Distance: 11 miles.
Estimated paddling time: 4 hours.

Empire/Glen Haven Kayaking Tour

Paddle the Empire/Glen Haven Crystal River Outfitters self guided kayaking tour around Sleeping Bear point and you’ll see some of the area’s highest sand dunes. If you dare climb these goliaths, you’ll find a spectacular view from the wooden lookout platform at the top, which was constructed by the National Park Service. Once in Sleeping Bear Bay, you’ll arrive almost immediately at Glen Haven, the site of the former U.S. Life Saving Station, moved there in 1931 from Sleeping Bear Point by the U.S. Coast Guard. Now the site hosts a maritime museum housed in the old cannery built by businessman D.H. Day early in the 20th century, which is maintained by the park service. Before leaving your kayak for its final rest at this historic site you can paddle among the remaining pylons from the old dock, now home to maritime aviary life, formerly place of origin for shipping to other Great Lakes markets by lumbermen and farmers. All this as well as views of South and North Manitou Islands await you on the Crystal River Outfitters Empire/Glen Haven self -guided kayak tour.

Distance: 9.25 miles.
Estimated paddling time: 3 hours.