Succinct, and so aptly named, as indeed they are expansive and full of adventure.

The Great Lakes of North America are known for their stunning natural landscapes, cultural diversity, and vibrant cities like Chicago, Detroit, and Toronto. The region offers a diverse range of activities to enjoy, making it one of the world’s best adventure cruising grounds.

Located in the Northeast of the continent, the Great Lakes include Lakes Superior, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, which are situated on the Canada-United States border, and Lake Michigan, which is located entirely inside the United States. The lakes cover an area of around 245,000 square kilometres (95,000 m2) of water and seven thousand kilometres (4,350 miles) of coastline.

These five naturally interconnected lakes are the largest group of freshwater lakes in the world, by area, and account for 22% of the world’s surface freshwater, by volume.

They are an important source of drinking water for millions of people and also play a crucial role in shipping, trade, and irrigation. The region also offers many recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching.

There are over 1,000 marinas, thousands of slips, and more than 35,000 islands to explore on the Great Lakes. These offer numerous boating experiences, such as day trips from your home port to extended boating holidays with family and friends.

Maritimo Factory Sales Specialist, Josh Northrop, said, “Marina life is very big on the Great Lakes. People enjoy the family time and the social side it offers. Many people spend every weekend on the lakes. A lot of people travel in groups, and many of the yacht clubs organise cruises where they might have 10, 15, 20 boats going to a chosen destination and exploring new places.”

Northrop lives in Cleveland, located on the southern shore of Lake Erie. One of his favourite places to visit is Put-in-Bay, about 50 nautical miles from his home port. The area is often called the ‘Key West of the North’ with its bars and restaurants, lively entertainment scene, historic sites, and breathtaking water views. “It is very popular,” said Josh.

Kelly Island is another popular location on Lake Erie to explore, with its restaurants, wineries, walking tracks, and unique Glacial Grooves. During the summer months, the island also attracts thousands of visitors with its big concerts highlighting global acts.

Lake Erie is a great location for fishing due to its relatively mild temperatures and plentiful supply of plankton. The Walleye, yellow perch, steelhead, bass, crappie, and bluegill are some of the favourite species on offer.

“Lake Erie has some of the best boating across the whole group of the Great Lakes, but there are so many amazing areas to explore. Mackinac, on Lake Michigan, is a unique place; it doesn’t have any cars, so you get around by horse-drawn carriage or bicycles,” said Northrop. The lake also has the largest collection of freshwater sand dunes in the world, stretching 35 miles along the shoreline. The most famous being Sleeping Bear Dunes, which stand about 460 feet above the lake.

Bay Harbor, located in northern Lake Michigan, is an interesting area to visit. It is the largest reclamation project in North America. Formed when a century-old limestone quarry and cement plant were flooded. It is now a luxury resort and marina known for its chic boutiques, specialty stores, and waterfront restaurants.

Another area to consider visiting is the North Channel on the northern end of Lake Huron. Covering a distance of approximately 160nm, it is considered one of the best freshwater cruising grounds in the world, with its crystal-clear waters and rocky terrain. “There are many little islands and coves to put down a hook, or tie up to a tree for the night and enjoy the peaceful and magnificent environment. Some of our clients have even been lucky enough to see bears swimming,” said Northrop. The area also has plenty of marinas and charming fishing villages to restock supplies and enjoy the local offerings.

Lake Superior is the largest, deepest, and coldest of the five lakes. Known for its rugged shores, lines, and crystal-clear waters, often with visibility reaching over 20 feet. The Apostle Islands located on the western shores of the lake are a popular area to visit due to the breathtaking scenery. This group is made up of 22 islands. The area offers plenty of things to do, including exploring the red sandstone sea caves, walking tracks, scuba diving on shipwrecks, and exploring underwater rock formations.

If you are really adventurous, you might consider doing a circumnavigation of the eastern United States and parts of Canada, known as the ‘Great Loop’. It is on average a 6000nm trip, taking you through the Great Lakes, Canadian Heritage Canals, inland rivers of America, Atlantic, Gulf Intracoastal Waterways, and New York State Canals. Most people take a year to complete the journey, but that is totally up to you. There are many things to consider when taking on this adventure, including the air draft of your boat (how tall), as there are many fixed bridges, especially in Chicago, to negotiate.

As so much of the Great Lakes is located on the Canada-United States border, you will need to organise visas. “It’s pretty simple. There are things you can do ahead of time. You can pre-register your boat and guests, and this will give you a sticker for the boat, which expedites the process. You can then use an app on your phone to check in. They may do a video call, but it’s really just a phone call, and you do your declaration,” said Northrop.

The best time to cruise the Great Lakes is between July and August when the days are sunnier, warmer, and the seas are calmer. The average summer temperatures vary depending on which lake you are on. Lake Erie, due to the shallower waters, is the warmest, with an average summer temperature of 26 degrees Celsius (79F), while Lake Michigan has an average temperature of 18 degrees C (64.5F).

The weather is a very important factor to consider when cruising in this region. “The Great Lakes can be very treacherous, and it can turn quickly. You can get 20-foot seas on Lake Superior,” said Keith Teynor, Maritimo’s Managing Partner, Americas. So, having an alternative plan and watching the weather is essential.

“Our Maritimo owners love the fact that their vessels are designed to handle anything Mother Nature can throw at them, all while they can spend their time in a climate-controlled environment, including the enclosed flybridge. Maritimo’s blue water credentials really suit the conditions here when required and give a great deal of confidence to owners if the weather blows up,” added Teynor.

The Lakes have long been called the inland seas due to their great size and resulting sea-like characteristics, such as sustained winds, rolling waves, strong currents, great depths, and distant horizons.

There’s a long history of major shipwrecks on the Great Lakes. It is estimated that over 10,000 vessels have been lost on the Great Lakes, and many have never been located.

The Great Lakes are such a massive area that there is definitely something for everyone. With so much to explore, it is no wonder most boats never leave this beautiful location, and it is on so many people’s bucket lists to visit.

To get in contact with our Maritimo sales team in the Americas click here.