Photo by www.kenscottphotography.com
*ARE PETS ALLOWED ON THE ISLAND?
NO PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON SOUTH OR NORTH MANITOU ISLAND. HOWEVER WE DO ALLOW PETS ON OUR EVENING SHORELINE CRUISE.
COVID-19 SAFETY MEASURES FOR OUR GUESTS:
- We ask that guests respect their own personal space and the space of those around them by maintaining adequate space whenever possible. When in lines or while boarding we also ask that guests keep an appropriate distance from the guests in front of you at all times.
- While housekeeping and maintenance have always been top priorities, guests will now notice even more cleaning and sanitizing of our vessel, high touch areas, bathrooms, and tour vehicles. Sanitizer is available in multiple locations on our property.
- Please remember that the risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people gather. At Manitou Island transit, we’re working diligently to provide a clean environment for our guests.
- We are asking customers to pay online or over the phone if possible to reduce contact as much as possible at check in.
Guests uncomfortable with situations where social distancing may not be possible for example when on planes, buses, subways, or ferry boats may want to consider traveling at a later date.
We ask that guests do their part by following the guidelines below when visiting:
- Should you be displaying symptoms of COVID or known to be COVID positive or should you have been exposed to someone displaying symptoms or someone known to be COVID positive, we ask that you refrain from visiting.
*WHERE CAN I LEAVE MY CAR?
WE HAVE A PARKING LOT AVAILABLE FOR $3.00 PER DAY . CAMPERS NEED TO DRIVE DOWN TO OUR TICKET OFFICE FIRST TO UNLOAD AND CHECK IN, AT WHICH TIME WE WILL DIRECT YOU UP TO OUR LOT AND GIVE YOU A PARKING PERMIT FOR YOUR CAR. UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO OFFER A SHUTTLE TO AND FROM THE PARKING LOT. WE ARE SORRY FOR THIS INCONVENIENCE. IT IS ABOUT A 5 MINUTE WALK.
*DO WE NEED TO PURCHASE TICKETS AHEAD OF TIME?
WE DO FILL UP, SO WE DEFINITELY RECOMMEND GETTING TICKETS AS SOON AS YOU ARE SURE OF YOUR TRIP.
* DO I NEED A PARK ENTRANCE PASS?
YES, THE FEE IS $25.00 PER CAR FOR A ONE WEEK PASS. PASSES CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE MANITOU ISLAND TRANSIT OFFICE IN LELAND. ALTHOUGH CARS DO NOT GO TO THE ISLAND, THIS IS HOW THE NATIONAL PARK CHARGES. THE COST IS $25.00 PER GROUP OR WHOEVER RODE TOGETHER. ANNUAL PASSES ARE $45.00 GOOD FOR ONE FULL YEAR IN SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL PARK.
* HOW DO I GET A CAMPING PERMIT?
CAMPING PERMITS CAN BE PURCHASED AT THE MANITOU ISLAND TRANSIT OFFICE IN LELAND.
THE CAMPING PERMITS ARE $10.00 PER NIGHT PER INDIVIDUAL CAMPSITE OR BACKCOUNTRY PERMIT FOR 4 PEOPLE.
GROUP CAMPING ON NORTH MANITOU IS $20.00/NIGHT FOR EVERY 10 PEOPLE.
* IS GROUP CAMPING AVAILABLE?
YES, CALL 1-877-444-6777 OR http://www.recreation.gov (FOR SMI GROUP SITES ONLY) GROUP SITES ON SOUTH MANITOU ARE $30.00 (20 PERSON MAX)
IS THERE FOOD ON THE ISLAND?
NO. THERE IS NO FOOD OR AMENITIES ON THE ISLAND. YOU NEED TO BRING EVERYTHING WITH YOU. WE DO SELL SOME LIMITED ITEMS ON THE BOAT, BUT NOTHING IS AVAILABLE ONCE YOU ARE THERE.
*CAN WE BRING ALCOHOL TO THE ISLAND?
Yes, you can, however, you cannot drink your own alcohol on the boat as we have a liquor license. You can buy ours. However, on the island it is okay to drink your own. Just remember, carry in and carry out all empties.
*CAN WE BRING ROLLING COOLERS, CARTS, WAGONS, ETC.?
Although you can certainly bring coolers to the islands, (many people do), you may not roll them to the campgrounds, you have to physically carry them. You may not wheel anything in and out of the campgrounds. Carts and wagons are not allowed. We do allow strollers on South Manitou, although they are not allowed in and out of the campgrounds. No strollers, carts or wagons on North manitou at all.
*CAN WE BRING OUR PET?
No, unfortunately the National Park Service does not allow pets on the island. Service dogs are allowed. We do allow well-behaved and leashed pets on our evening shoreline cruise in July and August, call ahead.
*CAN WE BRING OUR BIKES?
No, we do not allow bikes. They are not allowed on north at all. On south, they are not allowed on many of the trails and are not allowed into the campgrounds.
WHAT ARE THE CANCELLATION POLICIES?
Individuals or groups up to 9 passengers: You would need to cancel any of your tickets at least 48 hours in advance for an 80% refund. We do keep 20% as a cancellation fee. Once the 48 hours hits, the tickets are non-refundable.
Groups of 10 or more passengers: You would need to cancel any or all of your tickets at least 2 WEEKS IN ADVANCE for an 80% refund. We do keep 20% as a cancellation fee. Once the two weeks arrives, there is NO REFUND.
Manitou Island Transit does offer full refunds for any cancelled trips. For trips that are scheduled to take place later in the summer, we will accept cancellations but do charge a 20% cancellation fee for all cancellations on trips that we do run as long as you give the appropriate notice for your group size.
If you would prefer to cancel and not lose the 20%, we would be happy to issue a gift certificate for your tickets for use at another time of your choosing as long as you give us AT LEAST a 48 hour notice. The weather forecast is fairly accurate 48 hours in advance.
MANITOU ISLAND TRANSIT IS AUTHORIZED WITHIN SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE TO PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES: FERRY TRANSPORTATION SERVICE TO NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU ISLAND, MOTORIZED GUIDED LAND TOURS OF SOUTH MANITOU ISLAND, TRANSPORTATION OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT, AND CHARTER TRANSPORTATION SERVICES TO NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU ISLANDS.