Summer Discovery Cruises are returning this August for a limited offering!

Angela Scapini<scapinia@msu.edu>, Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan State University Extension -

18 educational cruises will set sail Aug. 4-9, 2023, from Lake St. Clair Metropark - get your tickets now!

A boat that can seat a large number of passengers under it's cabin is seen on Lake St. Clair. The trees behind are showing fall colors.
The Samuel J. Buchanan (previously called the Clinton) will be used for all 18 Summer Discovery Cruises. Photo: Michigan Sea Grant

Michigan Sea Grant Extension is excited to announce that Summer Discovery Cruises will be returning this summer, August 4-9, 2023!

Summer Discovery Cruises are an educational on-boat experience that connects participants to the Great Lakes and professionals that work to conserve them. This program previously ran for more than 25 years before coming to a halt in 2020 due to the pandemic. Michigan Sea Grant and partners are now excited to bring the program back for a limited 18-cruise season this August. Summer Discovery Cruises 1600x600-2.jpg

For 2023, this program will run out of Lake St. Clair Metropark in partnership with Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority (HCMA), Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, and Michigan Sea Grant. 

During each two-hour boat experience, participants will have the opportunity to meet Great Lakes professionals and learn about their work, all while cruising along beautiful Lake St. Clair. Cruises will feature many engaging topics, including: 

  • Great Lakes Science
  • Great Lakes Author Cruise with Dr. John Hartig
  • Past, Present, and Future of the Lighthouses of Lake St. Clair with Save Our South Channel Lights
  • Birds of the Great Lakes with Detroit Audubon
  • Fisheries of Lake St. Clair

Cruises will leave from and return to Lake St. Clair Metropark on August 4-9, with cruises departing daily at 10 a.m., 1 p.m, and 4 p.m. Register online by 4 p.m. on the day before your desired program. Tickets are available online.  Tickets may also be purchased via phone by calling the Metropark's Nature Center at 586-463-4332, or in person at the park if tickets remain. We look forward to cruising with you this summer!

Michigan Sea Grant helps to foster economic growth and protect Michigan’s coastal, Great Lakes resources through education, research and outreach. A collaborative effort of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University and its MSU Extension, Michigan Sea Grant is part of the NOAA-National Sea Grant network of 34 university-based programs.

This article was prepared by Michigan Sea Grant under award NA22OAR4170084 from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce through the Regents of the University of Michigan. The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Commerce, or the Regents of the University of Michigan.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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