With 3,288 miles of coastline, Michigan has the world’s longest freshwater coastline. The longest coastline in the country is found in the Mitten State, which is second only to Alaska. Water activities are an easy choice for Michiganders and visitors alike, as the Great Lakes State is the only state in the country to touch four of the five Great Lakes. You’re never more than six miles from a lake in Michigan, which has thousands of interior lakes in addition to the Great Lakes. Michigan is a national center for vintage boating, a hobby that is recognized simply by geography—if not also by a summer environment that is ideal for outdoor activities. So, let’s move on and see the best sailing lakes in Michigan!

Saugatuck/Douglas, Allegan

Saugatuck, along with the neighboring town of Douglas, are Lake Michigan beach communities located on Michigan’s west coast. With miles of award-winning Lake Michigan beaches, boating activities, and hiking paths, outdoor enthusiasts will have enough to do. In the Saugatuck-Douglas area, there are numerous opportunities to enjoy the water, from the winding Kalamazoo River to the harbor and large lake. Whether you’re admiring the canals from atop a double-decker paddleboat, sailing, or exploring them on your own in a kayak or canoe, any contact with the lake will be intriguing.

Holland

The Dutch heritage is well-known in Holland, which is located on the beaches of Lake Michigan. The Tulip Festival takes place every year in early May, with approximately 6 million tulips blooming in vibrant colors. Aside from tulips, Holland provides a variety of year-round activities that highlight the city’s Dutch heritage. At the DeKlomp Wooden Shoe & Delft Factory, for example, artists paint Delftware and carve wooden shoes. The DeZwaan windmill, a historic Dutch windmill that still grinds wheat into flour, is also open for tours. If you can’t make it to Holland in May, the beaches of Lake Michigan and Lake Macatawa are open all summer. Of course, a day at the beach with Michigan’s most photographed lighthouse, Big Red, is a must!

Grand Lake, Alpena

In Grand Lake, you have to check out the wooden sailing vessels and motorized ones produced in the area at the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan in Alpena to get a flavor of the region’s nautical culture. The Presque Isle Harbor Wooden Boat Show also features ancient and new beloved wooden boats. Alternatively, you may just go boating. Grand Lake is seven miles long and 1.5 miles wide, including various islands. The west shore’s ledges reach 40 feet above lake level and are home to rare fossils.

Ludington, Mason

Ludington provides a variety of sports, including canoeing and fishing, thanks to its 28 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, a few inland lakes, and three rivers. There, you will find all kinds of watersports from canoeing to boating and from swimming to fishing. Ludington is the best salmon fishing port in Michigan for anglers. Ludington State Park Campground is the spot to stay overnight if you appreciate camping and aquatic activities. The state park features three campgrounds, or you can rent a mini-cabin that accommodates five people. If you enjoy being near water, the deck at Jamesport Brewing Company, which overlooks Pere Marquette Lake, is for you. Michigan has a thriving craft beer sector, and you’ll be able to savor not only the beer but also a variety of cuisine that utilize it.

Lake Huron, Les Cheneuax Islands

The Les Cheneaux Islands Resort Area is about 30 miles northeast of the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula. This 36-island chain, where canals serve as highways, is visited primarily by boat. The region’s calm Lake Huron waves make it ideal for all forms of boating. The neighborhood hosts an antique wooden boat show every August, and the channels are packed with them each day. Lastly, the brightly colored boat houses are tourist draws in and of themselves.

Muskegon

Muskegon has a long and illustrious maritime heritage. It is between Ludington and Holland on Lake Michigan, and it has 26 miles of beaches. With a 90-mile circuit that begins north of Ludington and ends in Grand Haven, the Lake Michigan Water Trail West is a paddler’s dream come true. Paddlesports, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding are all popular on the Muskegon River Water Trail (SUP). After a day on the lake participating in various paddle sports, you can extend your time on the water by staying overnight on the boat at the dock.

Torch Lake, Antrim

Torch is said to have been named the third most beautiful lake in the world by National Geographic, and whether that’s true or not, those who’ve seen the lake on a day when its rich, multi-tone color resembles the Caribbean think it’s true enough. It is Michigan’s longest inland lake, measuring 18 miles long and popular for both power boating and sailing. The name of the lake is derived from the fact that aboriginal fishermen used torches to navigate the area. Torch is also the deepest and clearest lake in the state. On the lake’s southeast curve, the tiny community of Alden has one of the few public beaches and the Dockside Restaurant.

Lake Superior

Because of the beauty that surrounds it, Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is one of the most beautiful lakes in the state. Lake Superior flows between Michigan and Canadian borders and is part of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Because it is fully in the Upper Peninsula, this lake takes a little longer to get, but you can easily stay in Munising and find much to do in the region. Lake Superior is noted for its stunning lake, as well as the cliffs, waterfalls, wildness, and sea caves that surround it. Because it is the largest of the Great Lakes, it provides ideal conditions for all forms of water sports. Aside from swimming, Lake Superior is known for boating, fishing, and kayaking.

Lake Erie

Lake Erie, the fourth of the Great Lakes that surround Michigan, is one of the easiest to get to. It is one of the nicest lakes to visit in southeast Michigan and is near Detroit. It’s a fantastic boating lake with plenty of easy entry points to the water. Fishing for the legendary Lake Erie walleye is also popular there. There are numerous fishing charters to choose from. Furthermore, there are several islands in Lake Erie that are nice to visit for day vacations. You will find fantastic beaches for swimming and practically every water sport is available. On Lake Erie, the Lake Erie Metropark offers hiking and bike paths, a swimming pool, golf, and other amenities.

Lake St. Clair, Detroit

If you’re interested in nautical history, the account of how this lake got its name comes from an explorer who discovered it on August 12, 1679, the feast day of Saint Claire of Assisi. The lake that connects Lakes Erie and Huron, as well as the Detroit River, is today more recognized as a shipping canal and a popular boating destination. Because of the lake’s breadth (26 miles by 24 miles) and numerous islands, canals, and bays, 150,000 recreational boats have registered in the nearby region. Note that the lake was voted the number one bass fish lake by Bassmasters in 2013.

Big Glen Lake, Leelanau

Big Glen Lake is one of the cleanest and purest lakes in the state. It’s near Glen Arbor, a tiny town in northeast Michigan. During the ice era, Big Glen Lake and its sister lake, Little Glen Lake, were once part of Lake Michigan. There’s a sandbar separating them, but there’s easy access to Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands. Big Glen Note that Lake’s glacial waters make it the ideal lake for kayaking. You can rent a pontoon boat for the day or simply relax on the nearby sand dunes and sandy beaches. Perch, lake trout, bass, and northern pike can all be found in plenty at Big Glen Lake. Lastly, there are many waterfront cabins to rent for a weekend or a week.

Lake Leelanau, Leland

Lake Leelanau’s traditional name means “small body of water,” so it’s no surprise that it’s been a major feature of this region since early civilization. The lake is separated into two areas, North and South Lake Leelanau, which are joined by the Narrows and cover almost 9,000 acres in total. The Narrows are famous for animal viewing, paddling, and a boating stop for a visit to Lake Leelanau’s Boathouse Vineyards. There you will find award-winning wines with titles like “License to Chill” and “Seas the Day,” as well as local products from the grocery store or neighboring eateries. If you’re staying near Lake Leelanau, you can visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for a day trip to explore the sand dunes and the park.

Lake Charlevoix

Lake Charlevoix, located in northern Michigan, is one of the state’s largest interior lakes. It’s close to Charlevoix, a wonderful town where you may stop and grab a bite to eat after a day on the water. With multiple white-sand beaches, Lake Charlevoix is a great family-friendly lake. With 56 miles of shoreline, the lake is ideal for boating and waterskiing, as well as kayaking and canoeing in the smaller streams that feed into it. Lake Charlevoix has plenty of fishing opportunities, as it can get very deep in some locations. Because the lake’s upper reaches are near Lake Michigan, you can spend some time on the water there while you’re in the area.

Elk Lake, Antrim

Elk Lake is a wonderful option if you’re searching for a more remote and calmer lake experience. It is the state’s second-deepest interior lake, and its beaches and waterways are less crowded than those of other popular lakes. It’s adjacent to Elk Rapids, Michigan’s northernmost village. Visitors are drawn to Elk Lake because of the glacial lake’s gorgeous blue water, in addition to the peaceful environment. Elk Lake is part of Michigan’s Chain of Lakes, a 75-mile waterway made up of 14 lakes joined together. In the winter, Elk Lake is ideal for ice-boating and sailing. This lake, which reaches depths of 200 feet, is ideal for fishing, particularly in the deepest part in the middle, where anglers can target lake trout.

Marquette

Marquette, on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula’s Lake Superior, is no stranger to boats. The town serves as an excellent starting point for water-based day tours to local sites. Day trips from Marquette include Tahquamenon Falls and Pictured Rocks National Shoreline. In addition, Morgan Falls is a 2.8-mile path located just outside of Marquette that has a short descent to the falls, making it ideal for novices. The most spectacular natural attraction there is Munising’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which is one of Michigan’s most popular tourist destinations due to its colorful, geologically significant rock formations. Lastly, Presque Isle Park, located only minutes from downtown Marquette, is an ideal spot for launching a kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard into Lake Superior.