Tag Archives: Boat Tour

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Take an Upper Peninsula Lighthouse Tour

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, Port Huron
There are over 50 different lighthouses to be found along Michigan‘s Upper Peninsula, with the majority of them having been built in the mid 1800’s. For those who want to experience this unique slice of history, a lighthouse tour is one of the best ways to do this.

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, Port Huron
The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse was actually the very first to be built in Michigan, making this the perfect place to begin your tour. This lighthouse was built in 1825, 11 years after the construction of the fort was completed, and while it has been closed to the public for quite a few decades, it is now run by the Port Huron Museum and is open for tours.

Huron Lightship, Port Huron
Also at Port Huron is the Huron Lightship, which was built in 1920 and operated until 1970, making it the last operating lightship on the lakes. The ship is now a museum, and would make for the ideal stop on your lighthouse tour.

Pt. Aux Barques Lighthouse
Located near the town of Port Hope, the Pt. Aux Barques Lighthouse should be the next stop on your lighthouse tour, as this is a very significant structure that first began running in 1848. This is another lighthouse that is open for tours, which are well worth taking in order to really appreciate the magnificent restoration work that has gone on here.

Port Sanilac
Port Sanilac
Just a short distance north of Port Huron is Port Sanilac, whose lighthouse first became operational in 1886. This lighthouse is now privately owned, meaning that while tours within it are not available, there are still some fantastic views of the light to be had from the road.

Harbor Beach Lighthouse
Since you are now just a short distance from Harbor Beach, this is the perfect opportunity to take a boat tour to explore the iconic Harbor Beach Lighthouse. The boat is a 31 foot Cherokee, and leaves the Harbor Beach Marina every 20 minutes, taking you to the lighthouse where you will be shown around by an experienced guide, learning about everything from the breakwall to the history of the lighthouse. This is one spot where you will definitely want to bring your camera, as the 360 degree view from the top of the lighthouse is simply breathtaking.

Port Austin Reef
The Port Austin Reef lighthouse is another lighthouse that is only accessible by boat, and is one that has undergone thousands of dollars worth of renovation. This lighthouse began operating in 1899, and was constructed in order to mark a particularly rocky patch at an important turning point. Boat tours are only available during the summer months on Saturday afternoons, so a visit to this lighthouse would need to be planned out in advance.

For those of you who really want to make the most of exploring the lighthouses of the Upper Peninsula, the US Lighthouse Society Lighthouse Passport Program and Club may be perfect for you. This enables you to properly record each of your lighthouse visits, and gain a level of recognition for each accomplishment that you make.

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Exploring the Napali Coast

A stunning coastal range on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, the Napali Coast stretches out for fifteen miles, and offers up some of the best views in all of the state. Located on the island’s North Shore, this traffic-free stretch of land is not the easiest to access, which only makes it even more of a Hawaiian hidden gem.

Kalalau Trail
Kalalau Trail
There is only one way to access the Napali Coast by land, and this is by taking the 11 mile long Kalalau Trail. The trail begins at Kee Beach and crosses five different valleys before ending up at Kalalau Beach on the Napali Coast. As beautiful as the journey may be, this is known for being one of the most challenging hikes on the island, with several narrow sections, as well as muddy topsoil that makes it difficult to establish a firm grip on the ground. The hike takes a full day one way, which is why many hikers choose to break their journey up and camp at Hanakoa Beach, turning the trip into a three day adventure. In addition to being an experienced hiker, you need to also ensure that you are able to deal with heights before attempting this trail, as you will find many sections that travel along the edge of ultra steep cliffs, which, while offering panoramic views, will definitely make your stomach turn if you are afraid of big drops.

Boat Tours
If you would like to explore the Napali Coast without hiking, then a boat tour is your best option, as there are multiple types to choose from. These will all usually set off from Port Allen on the west coast of the island, and, whether you opt for a sea kayak, a rigid hull inflatable, or a luxury sailing catamaran, the views that you will see make the trip well worthwhile. In addition to exploring the coast, a boat tour will also take you to see the many sea caves, waterfalls, and other natural features that the area boasts, meaning that even if you have already hiked to the coast before, a boat tour is still worth taking.

Helicopter Tour
The landscape surrounding the Napali Coast is even more impressive when viewed from above, which is why helicopter tours are extremely popular on Kauai. These tours fly through some of the island’s most inaccessible areas, and, in addition to taking in all of the hidden valleys around the Napali Coast, you will also be able to see many other natural landmarks, including the famous Waimea Canyon.

OROGOLD-exploring-the-napali-coast
Driving
Even if you cannot drive to the Napali Coast itself, there are still multiple spots where you can drive to and enjoy spectacular views of the coast. Polihale Beach and Kee Beach offer gorgeous views down to the coast, while the Kalalau Overlook and the Pu’u O Kila both overlook the extraordinarily beautiful Kalalau Valley.

With dramatic cliffs, golden beaches and historic archaeological sites, the Napali Coast is always a joy to explore. Whether this is your first time visiting Kauai, or you are returning to the coast after previous visits, this is a part of Hawaii that will never fail to inspire and captivate you.