Lake Michigan

The native Ojibwa called it mishigami, or “great water.” At 307 miles long and 118 miles wide, Lake Michigan is the fifth largest lake in the world. Forming what is called America’s “Third Coast,” Lake Michigan is one of this country’s greatest natural wonders. The northern lighthouses, shipwrecks, turn-of-the-century logging towns, and coastal villages stand as testament to Lake Michigan’s great maritime history. It’s home to some of the most beautiful and romantic beaches in America. The choice destination for generations of vacationers, the calming waters and sunset sea of northern Lake Michigan provide a beautiful coastal getaway with an “ocean” of recreational possibility—from big-tackle fishing, kayaking, kite boarding, and, even, surfing. Lake Michigan’s disarming blue waters offer the backdrop for an unforgettable experience sure to calm, to rejuvenate, and inspire just as it has done for generations of poets, artists, seamen, and rugged North woods adventurers.

The Manitou Passage Underwater Preserve offers divers a variety of Lake Michigan attractions—from historic dock ruins to fascinating shipwrecks of two centuries. Visit www.mupc.net to uncover the historic treasures under the waters of the Manitou Passage and all of Michigan's Underwater Preserves.