Boating on Southern Lake Huron continued...

Last week’s blog focused on Southern Lake Huron-specifically Port Huron and Lexington. This week’s blog will continue to discuss Southern Lake Huron but will be about Port Sanilac and Port Austin.

Lake Huron is the second largest Great Lake by surface area and the fifth largest freshwater lake in the world according to Great Lakes Net. It is 206 miles by 183 miles and the average depth is 195 feet.

Lake Huron Map

Leaving Lexington, the next stop up the banks of Lake Huron is Port Sanilac. Port Sanilac is a small town of approximately 623 people nestled on the shores of Lake Huron.  It is approximately 30 miles north of the St. Clair River at Port Huron.

Port Sanilac Information

Port Sanilac Harbor offers seasonal and transient dockage and services such as fuel, fresh water, ice, club room, restrooms and showers, pump out services and a launch ramp. Additionally, it has a public park, playground, grills, picnic tables and a dog run.

The marina is also located in the Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve with many popular scuba diving sites nearby.

Port Austin Harbor

Latitude 43º 25′ 48″ N

Longitude 82º 32′ 04″ W

Here is a short video that tells you a little more about Port Sanilac:

 

Town is a short walk from the marina approximately 3 blocks. The Port Sanilac Lighthouse, which was built in 1886, is an easy walk from the marina. The Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum is located on the outskirts of town and offers a look back in history.

Port Sanilac History

 

 

When we visited, we had our bikes so we could explore the area. We rode to the Stone Lodge Restaurant & Tavern and enjoyed a nice lunch and cold beverage. They have an outdoor tiki bar to enjoy on a nice summer’s evening.

https://www.facebook.com/Stone-Lodge-48458594378/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is another video with additional information about Port Sanilac.

 

Leaving Port Sanilac and heading further north is Port Austin. The harbor in Port Austin is run by the state and just underwent a $10 million-dollar renovation which was completed in 2014.  The harbor offers 59 transient wells and 15 seasonal slips. The amenities are the harbor include: boat launch, water, electricity (Dual 30 amp & Dual 50 amp), Dog Run, Dog Beach, Public and Private Restrooms, Private Showers, 90 Octane No Ethanol Gasoline, Off-Road Diesel, pump out, motor oil, ice, day-use dockage, grills/picnic tables, and laundry. The harbor is very well maintained and the staff is very helpful and friendly. Reservations can be made through the Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations link

 

Port Austin Reservations Link

 

Port Austin Harbor

Lattitude 44° 03' 14" N

Longitude 82° 59' 37" W

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to the Pure Michigan website, Port Austin State Harbor is part of the Tip of the Thumb Heritage Water Trail. It is also inside the Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve. At least 22 major shipwrecks lie in and around the underwater preserve. The entire area has been the focus of wreck hunting for decades with new discoveries every year. The harbor and adjacent Bird Creek County Park are both Saginaw Bay area birding sites along the Saginaw Bay Birding Trail.

Pure Michigan Port Austin Link

We have been to Port Austin the last two summers and one of our favorite things to do is kayak. The beautiful shores of Lake Huron are breathtaking and the sandy bottom along the shore makes for an enjoyable swim to cool off on your kayak trip. We rented kayaks from Port Austin Kayak and paddled to Turnip Rock. Turnip Rock is one of Michigan’s greatest natural wonders.

 

The trip is 3 ½ miles out to the rock and is a nice trip. The first year we were there it was the first time that anyone of us had kayaked. The weather was perfect and we stopped along the way several times to cool off. My son, who was 9 at the time had no problem with the trip and still talks about it to this day!

Here is the link to Port Austin Kayak: Port Austin Kayak

 This past year when we were done with our trip, we had a nice lunch and a nice cold beverage at Pak’s Backyard Café & Beer Garden which is located at Port Austin Kayak.

 

 

Pak's Backyard Cafe & Beer Garden

We normally bring our bikes along but if you are not able, you can rent bikes at Port Austin Kayak as well.

 

 

There is a beach located next to the harbor that is sandy and a great place for the kids to play and cool off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The harbor also has a large break wall that makes for a nice evening stroll to watch the sunset. One unique thing about Port Austin is the fact that you can see the sunrise and the sunset.  I got up one more just to get a shot of the sun coming up across the harbor:

 

Port Austin Sunrise July 2015

There are some unique shops and restaurants downtown that you need to check out. One of my favorite stores to visit when we are there is Lisa’s Loft Gifts which is located above Heins Hardware.  

 

Heins Hardware - Lisa's Loft located upstairs

 

 

 

They carry a variety of unique items from décor to jewelry.

 Lisa's Loft

 

 

 

 

 

One of the restaurant’s that we enjoyed when we were in Port Austin was the Bank 1884 Food & Spirits. It is fine dining in a casual atmosphere and is in a building that was built in 1884 and was a bank.

The Bank 1884 Restaurant

 

 

 

 

There are a few sweet shops in Port Austin so you must make sure to stop and get a scoop of ice cream to cool off on a hot summer night. Port Austin is definitely a trip worth making.

Here is a link to the magazine Discover the Blue 2017 Visitor’s Guide. It is a great resource to discover the shores of Eastern Michigan. You can download it from the website. Additionally, Discovery the Blue has a blog that has tons of great information. Be sure to check it out.

 Discover the Blue Visitor's Guide Link

 

Thanks for joining this week. Remember that life is better on a boat!!

 #Lifeisbetteronaboat