Murray Bay (Grand Island)
Munising, MI
Murray Bay is on the south shore of Grand Island, a short ride from the ferry landing. It's a quiet sandy bay, and on calm, sunny days you can make out the wreck of the schooner Bermuda resting in shallow water just offshore. There's a small campground and a picnic spot along the shore.
An easy island beach with a shipwreck in view, though you're on the ferry's schedule.
How we score beachesLook for the Bermuda from shore on a still, bright day. The glassboat tours from Munising pass over it too.
Park at the ferry dock just west of Munising; no cars can come across.
Reached by ferry, then a short bike ride or walk on a dirt road.
Calm, sunny mornings give the best view of the wreck. The island is only reachable while the ferry is running in the warm months.
More Great Lakes beaches
Sleeping Bear Dunes Beach
Empire, MI · Great Lakes
Freshwater Lake Michigan surf below towering sand dunes, some over 400 feet tall, with water clear enough to rival a coastline and a hike back up the dune to burn it off.
New Buffalo City Beach
New Buffalo, MI · Great Lakes
New Buffalo City Beach is the first real Lake Michigan beach you hit crossing from Indiana, a wide stretch of sand at the end of Whittaker Street beside the harbor and the Galien River channel. Chicago weekenders fill it in summer. The town's shops and restaurants are a five minute walk back up the street.
Warren Dunes State Park
Sawyer, MI · Great Lakes
Warren Dunes State Park in Sawyer has roughly three miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and some of the tallest dunes in southwest Michigan. Tower Hill rises about 260 feet above the lake, and climbing it and running back down is a rite of passage. On a hot July Saturday the beach feels like a small city.