If you’re planning to take the Mackinac Island Ferry to, well, Mackinac Island, there are two options that stand out: Star Line and Shepler’s Ferry, both of which offer smooth rides and plenty of extra reasons to hop on their ships.
Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry 
Start Line Mackinac Island Ferry
No matter if you’re looking for a bullet-fast ride (approx. 20 minutes) departing from either Mackinaw City of St. Ignace or if you want to take your time and cruise the straits, these two services have what it takes. What’s more, both ferry services offer scenic tours of the mighty Mackinac Bridge and the opportunity to combine the stunning views with the free self-guided audio Ferry Tour inside the Mackinac Island App.
The only question remaining is: which ticket to book? From the mainland to Mackinac Island and back or simply around Lake Huron, get ready for some cruises that will have you wow-ing at the beauty of nature.
Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry
A bit of context
For the past 140 years, the Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry has been dutifully transporting tourists on and off of Mackinac Island. How many times have their ferries made the trip? So many times that you can be sure Star Line’s services are irreproachable. Not only that, but they’ve introduced new options for transport and extra perks that will make any customer a happy traveler.
Rides and route options
Depending on how fast you want to get to Mackinac Island, you can choose to hop on a HydroJet, a Catamaran or a Historic Classic Ferry service, all available from both Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. The HydroJet is your fastest option to get to Mackinac Island. Even before you’ve had the chance to settle on the boat, in an impressive 20 minutes, you’ll be arriving at the island. If, on the other hand, you’re in no rush, the Historic Classic Ferry is a great choice for navigating the journey in the glory of a by-gone era, all while enjoying a leisurely trip that unravels the beauty of the straits.
Extra benefits
No matter which type of ferry you select, Star Line offers free parking for a maximum of five nights near their docks. If you wish to park for a longer period, extra fees apply, but the convenience of having your car safe and close remains. Star Line is also the only Mackinac Island ferry service that offers valet parking both indoors and outdoors. With just a call, your car can be ready and waiting for you at the docks as soon as you arrive from Mackinac Island.
Tickets
The Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry has a diverse selection of packages and ticket options for different groups and requirements. It even offers various special tours that include fireworks shows and private trips that are made to measure. Make sure to check their schedule and plan in advance.
Normal ferry tickets start at $19 one-way, with convenient discounts if you purchase online.
Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry
How it all began
Founded by Captain William C. Shepler in the mid-1900s, Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry is all about first-class service and family values.
Run by the third generation of Sheplers, the service prides itself on high-speed cruisers and, particularly, on “Miss Margy”—the current crown jewel of their fleet. However, keeping up with the times means the Shepler’s ferry service is always bringing on new additions to their fleet and they’re now working on a new, faster and even more spectacular boat. However, In addition to a fast ride, Shepler’s Ferry promises to be a fun and entertaining way of navigating the straits in style with a dash of thematic cruises.
Rides and packages
If you want to navigate the Straits of Mackinac with Shepler’s ferry, you can choose to depart either from Mackinaw City or from St. Ignace. No matter which of the two departure points you select, you’ll be able to park your car in one of their designated parking spaces. For those making a day trip to Mackinac Island, the Day Lot is available free of charge, while the Premium Dock Lot has a $25 fee. Guests departing from St. Ignace for day trips, however, will enjoy free premium parking. Subsequently, those who want to spend more days and nights on Mackinac Island will have to pay a small daily fee and choose from between the normal and premium lots.
Tickets and gift cards
In addition to various offers and tickets, Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry also sells gift cards with five-year validity. So, if you’re looking for an out-of-the-box gift, a ferry voucher to Mackinac Island might be just the thing you were looking for!
Ready to board?
Now that you know more about the top Mackinac Island Ferry services, you can plan in advance and book your tickets. While you’re at it, make a quick digital detour and download the Mackinac Island App. It will open a whole new world of stories, myths and exciting facts through six unique self-guided tours and more than four hours of original content. Give it a go at your own pace, be it on the ferry or on the island.
Comments are closed.