Reviews from John Andrew Metza (1)

Free Dock Review for Whitefish Point State Dock

Reviewed by: John Andrew Metza, Gladiator, on Nov 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 33'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

This harbor is the minimum you need to protect your boat from bad weather and get your feet on dry land. There is an outhouse with toilet tissue that is apparently re-stocked by someone. There are slips, but many of them are used by Native Americans who commercial fish daily and a Ship Wreck exploration boat called David Boyd that uses it as its home base. There is a nice boat ramp and plenty of parking. There is electricity for a few of the slips and if you have a long enough extension cord you can probably share and get 120VAC to your boat. The slips farthest East can be a wet spot in a storm with the wave spray coming over the metal containment wall (See my Whitefish Point YouTube Videos). The water is very deep inside the harbor. Some of the wooden cleats have broken off the pilings so you have to be creative when securing your ropes on the eastern 2 slips. There are no fees to stay here and no attendants. The eastern most slip can take a boat at least 150 ft long.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck museum is a mile up the road and Paradise, MI is less than 10 miles south if you need supplies. There is no fuel, no water, just a place to park and have access to land. If the harbor is full there is great anchorages to SW and NE with sand bottom and the break walls of the harbor protrude far enough offshore to shelter you from the worst. If you are a bird lover swallows nest under the docks and put on a real show with their acrobatic flying. If you get too close to their nests they will dive bomb you to let you know. A beautiful part of planet earth to visit. The orange sands of the beaches are incredible and on a calm day I understood why the small town of Paradise was named so.

View location on the Waterway Guide Explorer