Explorer Charters – Lighthouse Viewing & Charity Island Cruises Each Summer

With the disruptive effects of the Covid Pandemic starting to wane, I’m looking forward to returning to some sense of normalcy. One of those is the return of taking a sunset or picnic cruise from Caseville. Explorer Charters is resuming tour boat operations just in time for the Summer of 2021. It’s a great opportunity to see the shoreline from Saginaw Bay in the comfort of a large tour boat. Captain Tom told me that both the Sunset and the Lighthouse and Charity Island Picnic Cruise are back on the calendar.

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Tour Boat Lady of the Lakes

In 2019, Captain Tom brought the Lady of the Lakes over from Leland, Michigan. The large tour boat had been conducting ferry service between Fishtown and Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. The 50-foot tour boat was refurbished for tours and Scuba dive chartering on Saginaw Bay this summer.

“We updated electronics including radar, VHF with AIS, and a new stereo system,” Tom noted. “We can take a passenger’s smartphone and play his or her favorite playlist on our onboard stereo speakers. It will be a great personal touch. ”

With Michigan lifting social separation requirements, Explorer Charters will be back on the Bay this summer. “Since the safety of my passengers is always my number one concern, our tour boat can hold 56, but we are limiting the number of passengers on board to keep comfortable. With the top deck open, folks can comfortability spread out.” Tom concluded.

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Lighthouse and Charity Island Picnic Cruise

Create your own adventure by seeing one of the least visited lighthouses and island’s on the Great Lakes. Take a 4-hour trip to view and photograph Charity Island Lighthouse and Gravelly Shoals Light. It’s also the only way you can see both the north and the south shore of Saginaw Bay.

The tour boat, Lady of the Lakes, departs from Caseville Harbor at 1 pm. For the 2021 Season, there will be cruises available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Please bring your own cooler with drinks and snacks and enjoy it while onboard.

Pop and bottled water are provided. You can bring along your own small cooler and BYOB—$60.00 per person, for those age 12 and under $30.00. Weather permitting, 6 passengers minimum. Arrange a group of 15 or more and get a 20% discount.

For reservations, costs, directions, and details visit the Explorer Charters Calendar and Reservations Page.

Sunset Cruises

The tour boat Lady of the Lakes departs from the Caseville Municipal Harbor 1 1/2 hours before sunset. The tour returns 1/2 hour after sunset—cruise along the local shoreline to catch some of the best sunsets in Michigan. Departure times will vary depending on sunset time.

Pop and bottled water are provided. You can bring along your own small cooler and BYOB—$40.00 per person for those age 12 and under $20.00. Weather permitting, 6 passengers minimum. Arrange a group of 15 or more and get a 20% discount.

For reservations, costs, directions, and details visit the Explorer Charters Calendar and Reservations Page.

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Frequently Asked Questions – (FAQs)

For more information about the Charity Island Picnic Cruise and other charter tour opportunities call Capt. Tom at 989-550-1234 or visit Explorer Charters for details, schedules and costs. Explorer Charters offer company events, weddings, lighthouse tours, sunset tours, kayaking, scuba charters, and commercial and charter services​.

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Related Reading of Charity Island Cruises

• Charity Island – Travel to a Saginaw Bay Oasis – Since the 1860s, the Charity Island Michigan lighthouse guarded the opening of Saginaw Bay. However, in 1939 the Gravelly Shoals Lighthouse was put into operation to be more in line with the shipping lanes, and the island lighthouse was abandoned. The lonely tower and lighthouse fell into disrepair until 1992 when Robert & Karen Wiltse bought the Charity Island light-keeper’s home, rebuilt it, and became the Island’s only “full-time” residents.
• 17 Amusing Things to Do In Caseville Besides the Cheeseburger Festival – Last year, the pandemic forced the cancellation of the Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival. However, for 2021 much is expected to return to normal. The festival is late summer, a fun-filled family event with plenty to do and see. However, there is only so much grass skirt, trinket stands, and cheeseburgers that one can handle for the multi-weekend event. So what else is there to do in Michigan’s Upper Thumb? Here are some suggestions if you, or more likely the kids, have had enough fun with the parrot head life.
• Lady of the Lakes Gets Ready For Charity Island Tours – In Michigan’s Upper Thumb, Charity Island dominates the horizon of Saginaw Bay, but the island is rarely visited. Thumbwind has been researching the island’s history and reached out to Captain Tom Carriveau, who has been taking visitors out on Charity Island Tours for over seven years. Here is our latest on Captain’s Tom’s preparations for the Summer.
• The History of the Mysterious and Remote Charity Island – Charity Island sits almost in the middle of Saginaw Bay between three birdwatching and migratory sanctuary. Fish Point Federal Wildlife Refuge in the Thumb, the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge near Bay City, and the Tawas Point State Park are two best-known birdwatching sites in Lower Michigan. Saginaw Bay is an important migratory stopover for birds such as the Tundra Swan. Charity Island Michigan is a stopping point for over 200 species of migratory birds.