A Data Report on the Top Boating Cities in Michigan

Dive into the busiest boating destinations across Michigan with a wealth of data gleaned from thousands of boat rentals.

Table of Contents

With over one million registered boats, Michigan is one of the top states for boating enthusiasts in the United States. It’s renowned for its extensive coastline along the Great Lakes, from the lower part of the state being wrapped by Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron, while the Upper Peninsula, or “U.P.” as locals call it, is surrounded by Lake Superior. In addition to the ocean-like Great Lakes that surround it, Michigan also boasts over 11,000 inland lakes, providing endless opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and all sorts of outdoor activities.

In this report, we explore the top boating cities in Michigan, highlighting their local waterways and what makes them exceptional destinations for boaters.

About This Report

This report analyzes booking and demand data from Getmyboat, the world’s largest boat rental marketplace, examining the top boating locations in Michigan.

It contains proprietary data for each city or location, including the most desired vessel style for renters and average pricing. It discusses the distinct features that make each of these destinations boating hotspots and the overall boating experience they offer.

Our Methodology

To develop this report, Getmyboat analyzed boat rental bookings and demand data for locations in Michigan. Cities and locations are determined by the city that the boat owner registers the boat in within their profile on the platform.

The data was cleaned to exclude outlier hourly and total trip rates while rental types were categorized into the significant categories to be evaluated in this report.

The Top 8 Boating Cities in Michigan

1. Saugatuck

Average Hourly Rate: $145

Average Trip Price: $595

Most Popular Style of Boat: Fishing Charters

Saugatuck is situated along the Kalamazoo River and connects to Lake Michigan. The river provides calm waters for recreational boating, while Lake Michigan offers expansive waters for sailing and cruising. Saugatuck is celebrated for its iconic harbor, vast sandy beaches (check out Oval Beach), and vibrant boating community. Here you can enjoy stunning sunsets over Lake Michigan and easy access to nearby dunes and natural parks. Cruise to a waterfront restaurant like The BARge or enjoy a relaxing time in the Oxbow Lagoon, an offshoot of the river.

2. Detroit

Average Hourly Rate: $121

Average Trip Price: $568

Most Popular Style of Boat: Bowriders

Detroit is strategically located at the confluence of the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair. The Detroit River is a major channel connecting Lake Huron and Lake Erie, offering diverse boating experiences from calm river cruising to open lake sailing.

Detroit's boating scene benefits from it’s waterfront parks, calm bays, and well-equipped marinas. Boaters can explore Belle Isle Park, an island on the river, cruise to Anchor Bay for the afternoon, participate in annual events like the Detroit Boat Show, and enjoy easy access to international waters with Windsor, Canada, being a short cruise away.

3. Traverse City

Average Hourly Rate: $150

Average Trip Price: $1,328

Most Popular Style of Boat: Wake Boats

Traverse City sits on the shores of Grand Traverse Bay, an inlet of Lake Michigan. The bay provides excellent conditions for sailing, fishing, and water sports, with ideal calm waters for wake surfing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and more.

Traverse City offers the perfect boating and outdoor fun atmosphere during the summer. Boaters can cruise up to waterfront restaurants for a meal, visit nearby wineries, enjoy waterfront dining, and participate in the annual Traverse City Cherry Festival. Explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore or find yourself cruising the various arms of Traverse Bay.

4. Grand Haven & Spring Lake

Average Hourly Rate: $125

Average Trip Price: $423

Most Popular Style of Boat: Powerboats

Just an 8-minute drive from each other, Grand Haven is located where the Grand River meets Lake Michigan, while Spring Lake is connected to Lake Michigan via the Grand River channel. Both towns offer great boating opportunities.

Grand Haven and Spring Lake are known for their sandy beaches, historic lighthouses, and bustling waterfront. Boaters can explore the scenic Grand River, attend the annual Coast Guard Festival, and enjoy family-friendly amenities.

5. Saint Clair Shores

Average Hourly Rate: $168

Average Trip Price: $433

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Saint Clair Shores is situated along Lake St. Clair, which connects to Lake Huron via the St. Clair River. Lake St. Clair is renowned for its boating-friendly waters, offering ample space for sailing, fishing, and watersports. Cruise around Anchor Bay, visit Lake Saint Clair Metropark, or stop in at one of many great waterfront restaurants for lunch.

Boaters can also participate in the Bayview Mackinac Race or enjoy watching the sailing regatta from their own boat. There are lots of little islands to explore and beaches to check out when boating from Saint Clair Shores.

6. Grand Rapids

Average Hourly Rate: $215

Average Trip Price: $753

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Grand Rapids is situated along the Grand River, Michigan's longest river, offering scenic riverfront views and water activities including as kayaking, paddleboarding, and riverboat tours.

Although not directly on Lake Michigan, Grand Rapids provides access to the Grand River's extensive water trail system. Boaters can explore downtown attractions, visit parks like Millennium Park, and attend festivals along the riverbanks.

7. Muskegon

Average Hourly Rate: $161

Average Trip Price: $484

Most Popular Style of Boat: Pontoons

Muskegon is located on the shores of Lake Michigan, featuring Muskegon Lake—a large inland lake connected to Lake Michigan via a navigable channel. Muskegon Lake offers sheltered waters for boating and fishing.

Muskegon is known for its maritime history, beachfront parks, and diverse boating facilities. Boaters can visit historic sites like the USS Silversides Submarine Museum, attend events at Pere Marquette Park, and explore scenic dunes.

In Summary

Michigan, thanks to its unique geographical positioning and extensive water resources, is a fantastic state for boating. Bordered by four of the five Great Lakes—Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie—the state boasts the longest freshwater coastline in the United States, providing access to waterways all over the state. Additionally, Michigan is home to over 11,000 inland lakes and more than 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, facilitating a wide variety of boating activities, from pontoon cruising to sailing and fishing to competitive water sports. The state's well-developed infrastructure, including numerous marinas, boat launches, and maintenance facilities, further enhances its appeal to boating enthusiasts.

About Getmyboat

Getmyboat is the world's biggest and best marketplace for fun, safe, and easy boating experiences of all kinds. Launched in 2013, over 2 million customers have gone boating through the platform, with 180,000+ listings across 184 countries and thousands of 5-star reviews for boat owners and captains. 30% of trips are boat rentals, while 70% of trips are captained by boating professionals, so customers feel safe while they enjoy being together with family and friends on the water.

Citing this Report

Media professionals are welcome to utilize this data for journalistic reporting purposes, with a citation and link to Getmyboat. For any questions, or for any other data not found in the below report, reach out to pr@getmyboat.com. Our data and press team can provide further analysis, press quotes, and any other information needed for press stories.

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