This delightful nautical escape, prominently recognized for its enchanting narrated tours, allows visitors to experience the captivating sights, sounds, and history enveloping the waters surrounding Mackinac Island. Onboard the classic, 65-foot coast guard-certified vessel inherited from Maine, the visitors are offered a genuinely unique perspective on this remarkable region, making it a must-see destination for those seeking an enriching maritime adventure.
Tracing its roots back to 1976, this family-owned business has been transforming the way people explore the Mackinac area for over four decades. Over the years, the Ugly Anne has retained its intimate and traditional charm, designed to accommodate around 30 passengers, ensuring a personal and unrushed experience. The name Ugly Anne pays tribute to the boat's rugged origins and the solid resilience required of vessels that weather the northeastern maritime waters, becoming a symbol of strength, story-telling, and local heritage.
The Ugly Anne Boat Crusies are less about cruising and more about immersion in the area's history, land- and seascapes, and rich lore. Each guided journey takes you past a myriad of iconic landmarks, including the awe-inspiring Mackinac Bridge, standing as the world's third-longest suspension bridge, and Mackinac Island, internationally treasured for its well-preserved Victorian essence and car-free environment. With expert narrative guiding their gaze, visitors can marvel at the distinctive natural formations, like the Arch Rock, a breathtaking geological limestone arch soaring forty feet above Lake Huron.
Moreover, the Great Lakes' vivid maritime history comes alive as the cruise sails past the historic remnants of sunken ships, giving you a spine-chilling reminder of the region's past shipwrecks. As an added bonus, Ugly Anne Boat Cruises also offers a unique tour focused on these legends and lore, with stories about the infamous pirates of the Great Lakes and the tragic tales of the shipwrecked vessels that lie beneath the surface of these extraordinary waters.
In a nutshell, a journey with Ugly Anne Boat Cruises signifies much more than simple sight-seeing. It serves as a vessel, both literally and figuratively, facilitating a deep connection with the region's landscape, history, and culture. Adventure seekers, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike will find the cruises equally engrossing and enlightening. Embark on this fascinating cruise to discover the best-kept secrets of Mackinaw City and its vicinity while being surrounded by the splendid serenity of maritime Michigan.
