Located just 90 minutes northeast of downtown Detroit, Port Sanilac is a treasure nestled in the natural beauty of Michigan’s East Ports region and perched on the edge of Lake Huron. The combination of these two landscapes come together to offer a wide variety of outdoor activities that will keep the whole family entertained.
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Explore the History Downtown Port Sanilac
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Our community has a rich history with attractions such as the historic lighthouse built in 1886, the oldest continuously operating hardware store in Michigan, the Sanilac County Historical Village and Museum as well as historic homes.
Our harbor and marinas are known for their accessibility and services. Whether you are looking for a seasonal slip, an overnight stay, sailing or power, charter fishing or diving, fuel or showers, we have it all. Our harbor also offers a public beach, swimming and a park for children of all ages.
Enjoy gourmet dining or a more casual meal in one of our several restaurants before or after a little shopping, a free harbor concert or a round of golf. Whether you are a boater, camper or just tired of the hustle and bustle and you long for a quiet place to hear yourself think, then come visit us.
Port Sanilac is your summer water wonderland with everything from fishing to sailing to diving.
A premier harbor with a variety of dockage and services.
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Kayak "The Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water Trail"
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Bring your kayak! Port Sanilac is one of the stops through the 'Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water Trail'. The Water Trail is a nonprofit citizen’s organization working with the Huron County Parks to establish and maintain a Water Trail along Michigan’s Lake Huron’s shoreline. It is dependent on public support for its existence and growth. The Water Trail, which is best utilized via sea kayaks by people who have had proper sea kayaking instruction, consists of camp sites and rest areas spaced out along the shore.
The Mission of The Tip of The Thumb Heritage Water Trail is to develop, maintain, and promote a water trail that highlights natural, cultural, and historical attributes to drive tourism, economic development, and recreational opportunities in Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola Counties.
Find out more about Heritage Trail here.
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Perch, Salmon & Walleye Fishing
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Port Sanilac is a popular fishing destination. Perch are widely available, as well as salmon and walleye.
The DNR boat launch offers a convenient place to take off from. It also features a public fish cleaning station, complete with stainless steel cleaning stations and a “guts grinder”.
Parking is available on-site.
For the little kids and the boatless, there is always fishing off of the break wall. You can catch perch, salmon, walleye, & lake trout. Fishing Reports are provided weekly by the State of Michigan DNR.
Charter Boat Rentals are available at Sonset Sailing School located at the Port Sanilac Marina.
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Diving Shipwrecks
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The Great Storm of 1913 struck the shores of Lake Huron and it was one of the deadliest and most destructive natural disaster to hit the lakes in recorded history. It is historically referred to as the "Big Blow," the "Freshwater Fury," or the "White Hurricane," whirling hurricane-force winds and devastating the Great Lakes Basin particularly Lake Huron. This storm took down 19 ships and many of them are located off the coast of Port Sanilac. Double-Action Dive Charters frequent these shipwrecks throughout the summer.
You can find "Go-Between" docked at the Port Sanilac Municipal Harbor.
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For Those Who Love to Sail, Welcome Home
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As evidenced by the number of sailboats docked in our marinas… Port Sanilac is the place to be if sailing is one of your love’s.
Sailing is a wonderful summer activity you and your family can enjoy. It is a unique sport that can change your life by opening up a new world of fun and adventure. Let your journey begin here in Port Sanilac, Michigan.
A lot of other ports are busy, congested, and stressful. We offer a peaceful and quiet setting in which to sail, while the beautiful Georgian Bay, North Channel, and other beautiful cruising waters are only hours away.
We have a great harbor with easy access to Lake Huron, within a reasonable drive or sail from the Detroit area, and drive from the Flint area. Compass Point Veteran Outreach is a sailing program available for families at the Port Sanilac Municipal Harbor.
You can find them at the Municipal dock and check out their website for more information.
Spend a Day at the Beach
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The Village beach can be found North of the downtown area, tucked in behind the Lutheran Church.
This beach features a small public park with picnic facilities.
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The second public beach is adjacent to the DNR boat launch. Located on the North side of the northern harbor break wall this beach offers a spacious beach and plenty of parking.
Both beaches offer a wonderful place for families to spend the afternoon in the sun and water.
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Walker Road beach, south of town, offers a beautiful natural setting and convenient kayak launch site for The Heritage Water Trail, however parking is limited to the lucky few.
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Port Sanilac Harbor of Refuge
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Port Sanilac Harbor of Refuge and Municipal Harbor is a full service public dockage facility with 32 seasonal slips and 35 transient slips.
Open May 1 to October 31. Off season phone (810) 622-9610.
Radio Channel 16 and 9. The Port Sanilac public docks are a premier destination for boaters on Lake Huron, offering amenities including: water hook-up, electricity (30 and 50 amp), restrooms, showers, gasoline, diesel, pump out, ice, fish cleaning station, boat launch, long-term parking, courtesy shuttle, dog run, day-use dockage, playground/park, grills/picnic tables, and laundry.
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Port Sanilac Marina
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The Port Sanilac Marina is a full service marine facility that offers transient slips, long term dockage, inside heated and outside storage, and onsite Service Department with certified mechanics. Guests can stay for a day, a week, a month, or the whole season!
Dockage customers have access to amenities such as showers, bathrooms, electricity (30 and 50 amp), water hookup at dock and dock storage boxes.
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The onsite Ship’s Store offers a wide variety of boating supplies for sailboats and powerboats, nautical gifts and décor, Port Sanilac and Lake Huron memorabilia, and inflatable water toys.
Port Sanilac Marina is a dealer for Marlow – Hunter, Catalina Yachts, J-Boats, Hobie Kayaks and Jimmy Styks paddle boards. Along with the new boat inventory they host a wide variety of used sailboats and powerboats.
Enjoy a meal overlooking beautiful Lake Huron at The View at Uri’s Landing.
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If you have a sweet tooth you’re in luck. Onsite you’ll find First Mate Ice Cream, open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. You won’t be able to ignore the aroma of fresh homemade waffle cones made daily and with over 24 hand dipped flavors, they can satisfy any craving. Check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and fall in love with summer in Port Sanilac.
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Bark Shanty Marina
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The Bark Shanty Marina offers long term dockage along with boat storage capabilities.
On the shores of Lake Huron, Bark Shanty Marina is nestled inside the Port Sanilac breakwall, just north of the historic Port Sanilac Lighthouse.
The private Marina hosts 30 wells on floating docks, abutting the south side of the breakwall that protects nature and wildlife.
Bark Shanty Marina offers dockage, moorage, storage, launch and haul-out, and a clubhouse with full amenities.
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