Your guide to the best boat watching spots in West Michigan

Madalyn Buursma
·2 min read
Your guide to the best boat watching spots in West Michigan

PARK TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) — Boats are starting to hit the water as Michigan gets ready for the summer.

A favorite pastime for many is watching those boats. One of the best spots to do that is along the channels connecting smaller lakes to Lake Michigan, which on busy days offer a parade of everything from single-person jet skis to giant Tiara yachts heading out to the big lake.

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Here are some locations throughout West Michigan that offer a good spot to watch boats:

HOLLAND STATE PARK

Holland channel
A boat passes Big Red in the Holland channel. (Michael Buck/WOOD TV8, file)

Stop by Holland State Park for a good boat-watching spot along the Holland channel between Lack Macatawa and Lake Michigan. You’ll also have a view of the iconic Big Red lighthouse and can enjoy plenty of beach space, a pier and playground while you’re there.

GRAND HAVEN STATE PARK

Grand Haven channel
Boats pass the pier in the Grand Haven channel. (Michael Buck/WOOD TV8, file)

Another great spot to watch boats is Grand Haven State Park. Take a walk up the pier for plenty of spots to watch the boats sail by or stroll along the Grand River to the downtown area, where there’s plenty of other fun things to do.

NORTH BEACH AND SOUTH BEACH, SOUTH HAVEN BEACHES

South Haven beach on June 6, 2021.
South Haven beach on June 6, 2021.

Both the North Beach and South Beach in South Haven offer good spots to watch boats travel along the Black River into Lake Michigan. While there you can visit the Michigan Maritime Museum, which offers boat rides and several exhibits.

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STEARNS PARK, LUDINGTON

Stearns Park in Ludington.
Stearns Park in Ludington.

The channel between Pere Marquette Lake and Lake Michigan offers a great spot to watch boats. While you’re there, you can stop by the Ludington Maritime Museum inside a former Coast Guard Station to learn about lighthouses, shipwrecks and more.

MUSKEGON STATE PARK

FILE – An aerial view of a cruise ship in Muskegon.
FILE – An aerial view of a cruise ship in Muskegon.

Along with the other typical Lake Michigan boats, stop in Muskegon to watch cruise ships come to port. You can also check out the USS LST 393 in downtown Muskegon, or the newly-opened Adelaide Pointe along Muskegon Lake.

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DOWNTOWN SAUGATUCK

FILE - Saugatuck along the Kalamazoo River.
FILE – Saugatuck along the Kalamazoo River.

Walk through downtown Saugatuck for plenty of spots to watch boats travel along the Kalamazoo River. While there, you can check out the Saugatuck Chain Ferry, Diane, which will take you across the Kalamazoo River from shoreline to the other. First established in 1857, it’s the last hand-cranked chain ferry of its kind in the United States, according to the city’s website.

Think we missed one? Let us know what your favorite boat watching spot is by emailing newsroom@woodtv.com.

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