Marinas in Muskegon, MI

The marinas we list in Muskegon cover Safe Harbor Marinas. Between them they handle slips, storage, fuel and service.

July and August are the best months for warm-weather boating on Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan off Muskegon. July is the city’s warmest month, while Hartshorn Marina’s operating season runs from April 15 to October 15. Lake Michigan water at Muskegon’s intake has ranged from the mid-30s to the mid-70s over the last five years.

Choose the day by wind, storms and visibility. June through August are Muskegon’s most likely thunderstorm months, and fog increases slightly in late summer and early fall. The Muskegon Channel can carry current in either direction, making the marine forecast important before heading between the lakes.

Source: City of Muskegon (muskegon-mi.gov)

From Muskegon, you can cruise Muskegon Lake, pass through the Muskegon Channel to Lake Michigan, or explore Bear Lake and the lower Muskegon River. Muskegon Lake is the harbor-side choice with good anchorage; Lake Michigan is open water beyond the entrance structures. The Muskegon Channel, from the North Pier Inner Light and Muskegon Lake Light Horn to the North Pier Outer Light, is slow-no-wake. Bear Lake is shallow, and its connecting channel is slow-no-wake. The Muskegon River enters through its North Channel and is a shallower run with fixed bridges near the mouth. City launch choices include Fisherman’s Landing, Hartshorn, Grand Trunk, and Jaycees/Cottage Grove.

Source: City of Muskegon (muskegon-mi.gov)

Boaters from Muskegon go to Bear Lake, Whitehall on White Lake, and Grand Haven. Bear Lake is reached from Muskegon Lake through a recreational channel, with Horton Park offering access to its shallow shoreline. Whitehall’s municipal marina welcomes transient boats beside a park and within a short walk of downtown shops and restaurants. Grand Haven’s municipal marina provides a Grand River stop near Chinook Pier, with access from Lake Michigan plus dockside electricity, water, restrooms and showers.

Source: Visit Muskegon (visitmuskegon.org)

Michigan requires a boating safety certificate rather than a recreational boating license for anyone born on or after July 1, 1996, operating a motorboat over 6 horsepower. A child under 12 may operate 6 to 35 horsepower only with a certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16, and may not operate more than 35 horsepower.

For personal watercraft, no one under 14 may operate. Ages 14 and 15 need a certificate plus either accompaniment by a parent, legal guardian or designated adult 21 or older, or operation within 100 feet of one; operators born after December 31, 1978, need a certificate. A renter who completes livery safety training may use the written rental agreement as a certificate only for the listed rental dates. Michigan DNR administers the program.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

Michigan boaters should follow Michigan Department of Natural Resources rules on life jackets, sober operation, registration, personal watercraft and invasive species. Carry a Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person; children under 6 must wear a Type I or II jacket on an open deck while underway. Operating with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is illegal. Unless exempt, watercraft must be registered and display a decal. PWC operators must be at least 14, with certificate and supervision rules for ages 14 and 15, and PWCs may not operate from sunset to 8 a.m. Before launching or transporting, remove plants and debris from boat and trailer, and pull drain plugs and drain all water before hauling; local no wake rules may also apply.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, michigan.gov/dnr (michigan.gov)

The legal minimum depends on vessel class and power: Michigan has no minimum operating age for a motorboat of 6 horsepower or less. For more than 6 horsepower, unsupervised operation starts at 12 with a boating safety certificate. Under 12, operation through 35 horsepower requires that certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16; stronger boats are prohibited. Personal watercraft require age 14. Ages 14–15 need a certificate and either a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult 21 or older onboard, or within 100 feet while that adult operates another personal watercraft; independent operation starts at 16. Certificates are compulsory for motorboat operators born on or after July 1, 1996, and PWC operators born after December 31, 1978. Rental operators set their minimums, so confirm when booking.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Muskegon has 3 boat rentals, 1 boat club and 5 boat dealers.