Reviews: Whitefish Point State Dock

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Whitefish Point State Dock

17666 North Whitefish Point Rd
Paradise, MI 49768
Lake Superior, Whitefish Bay

Lat / Lon: N 46° 45.660' / W 084° 57.860'
Phone: (906) 492-3415 ; 8:00 thru 4:30 Mon-Friday
Fax: (906) 492-3590
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.michigandnr.com/Publications/PDFS/harbor_guide/#t=whitefish.htm

2.75

(4)

2.75 out of 5 stars

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.

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Review for Whitefish Point State Dock

Reviewed by: Steven Dunlop, First Light, on Nov 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 38'
Draft: 6.0'

Rating: 2

While we like the rustic style and the presence of working boats of various kinds, cruisers should be warned regarding water depths and the lack of amenities. We ran aground on a bar that had formed at the harbor entrance but tried another spot and were able to get in. It took three tries to get back out the following day. We draw six feet, and the ACOE reported lake level was 602.62 feet at the time of our visit (see lre-wm.usace.army.mil for a recent reading and adjust accordingly). Water was deep once in the harbor and at the transient docks.

There were five transient slips available in addition to those spoken for by commercial fishing boats. The breakwall, nominally available for dockage, has its walkway closed due to deteriorated sections that make it unsafe to walk. Slip fingers have steep ramps that connect them to the quay. We noted the presence of a broken cleat on one of the fingers -- someone had a bad day. Although there are shore power connections in the harbor, the pedestals are locked and unavailable for transient use. A pair of ordinary 120v 15a outlets was present some distance away from the transient slips, but both outlets were in use by commercial boats when we were there.

There is a nice sand beach.

There were no restrooms, portable or otherwise, at the time of our visit.

Visitors to the area should be cautioned that the shoals from nearby Whitefish Point now extend out considerably farther than charted.

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Review for Whitefish Point State Dock

Reviewed by: Lance Williamson on Nov 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.8'

Rating: 2

White Fish Point is a barebones state marina. There is a pit toilet in the parking lot. No electrical available. Use USACE soundings on Aqua Map or view on the Waterway Guide app!! We saw no less than 8' but I was navigating with Aqua Map when entering and leaving the marina. The ship wreck museum is a mile walk but WELL worth it!!!

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Review for Whitefish Point State Dock

Reviewed by: David Murphy, Zendeavor, on Nov 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 3

Hold tight to starboard wall coming in, saw nothing less than nine feet. No frills but well protected harbor.

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