The only thing I would say is that there are far too many companies that are taking people over to the island. We did get confused on where to go and we were not the only ones. Once we were on the ferry it was a nice smooth ride. Short 15 min. The seats on the bottom section is quit cramped for leg room and I'm short. Thank goodness it's a quick ride over. read more

We saw the ferry schedule in our hotel and walked 5 minutes to the terminal. We bought our tickets in advance, it was $38 per person round-trip. There were reduced fare for children and veterans with an added charge for bicycles. Parking in their lot is an additional $15 per car, we left our car at the hotel, Schleppers does all kinds of boat rides and even hosts weddings on their fleet of ferries. They are family owned & operated for over 76 years, and offer the fastest ferries to Mackinac Island. A ride was 16-minutes each way. We purchased our tickets from their website & they were scanned from our phone going in each direction. We sat upstairs, outdoors. There was seating outdoors. Our ferry was half full, there was a lot of extra seat. The highlight of our boat ride was going under the Mackinac Bridge. read more

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I've been using Shepler's Ferry since I first started going to Mackinac Island annually jn 2018. Sheplers in St Ignace is the BEST!! I would rather spend $8 to cross the bridge twice than deal with the absolute chaos Mackinaw City can be. This ferry dock has always been carefree and less stressful. I really appreciate the large parking lot that can be used for day trips and overnight trips. Parking for the day is currently $15 for the 2025 season. However, I will take that convenience of getting in my vehicle seconds after leaving the ferry docks. The restrooms here are always spotless and I really appreciate the waiting area in case the weather is bad. I love the new enhanced boarding option with Sheplers ($12 extra per ticket to board early -- makes it easy with my two dogs) My only issue is there really needs to be better signage in the tent and extra employees. We recently had the enhanced boarding ticket and found the designated line, only to have an employee accuse of cutting the line due to her not paying attention and talking to a group of other employees. Made us feel humiliated in front of so many people. I look forward to coming back to Sheplers next year! read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - We love how dog friendly Sheplers is! - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

It used to be a debate of which ferry service was the best: Shepler's, Star Line or Arnold. Now, it's just Shepler's and Arnold, but they're both owned by the Hoffman family. It's basically a monopoly, and Shepler's prices have increased over the years as a result. Ferry tickets are $38/adult roundtrip, and it's $50/night to park in the premium dockside lot on a Sunday-Wednesday night in peak season. So before we even got on the island, we had spent $320. Expect some sticker shock with all elements of your Mackinac vacation! We always depart from St. Ignace, because we enjoy crossing the iconic Mackinac Bridge and find it's less busy than the Mackinaw City side. Upon arrival, there are plenty of friendly, attentive cast members ready to greet you and guide you. They no longer provide valet service, but there is a convenient loading/unloading zone where they tag your luggage with your hotel and load it onto the ferry. I waited until we arrived and bought ferry tickets and paid for parking at the counter. In hindsight, I wish I had bought the ferry tickets online because you need to keep those tickets handy for your return trip. There was no wait for a 4 p.m. ferry on a Sunday afternoon in late August. During peak season, boats run every 30 minutes. I sat downstairs to avoid getting splashed by the water spray. I was a bit nervous about the ferry ride and choppy waters, but the Shepler's vessels glide through the water. It's 16 minutes from anchor up to anchor down. During our multi-day visit on the island, there were a few days the water was quite choppy and they issued a high wind warning on the Mackinac Bridge, so I imagine the ride can get rough depending on the day and season. Come prepared, but know the Shepler's crew are excellent at what they do and will always keep you safe! read more

We actually used Sheplers for 2 round trips to Mackinac island this week. One was an 'express' that went straight to the island, the other included a short diversion (10-15 mins) to eee the bridge. $36 pp round trip and you can come back up until 10p. Schedules are on their website. No senior discount but they do offer military. Super prompt, so be on time! The drop off spot is right in town on Main Street. You can get an island map for $2 (same price pn the island) which will outline the hiking/biking trails and important landmarks. Super friendly staff as well. Day parking is $10 in addition. 3% added for card payments. You can sit below deck in an enclosed space or you can sit rooftop in the open air. Bathrooms onboard as well read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Lower deck - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

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Why are there so many separate reviews for this same ferry? The ferry parking and the enhanced ferry ticket, which is round trip ticket for the island. We took the Shepler's ferry several years ago. It's bigger than the Norman and more popular. Ride is about the same either way, more crowded, usually. read more

The ferry runs on time. We found their staff friendly, which isn't always easy when transporting large groups of people. From the staff checking in your luggage to the ferry crew, everyone was polite. read more

Excellent well run, clean, well maintained, efficient with polite staff. They get you to and from the island without any problems. Lots of parking for a fee. ($15)... If you haven't been to the island, you should go. This is the way to get there. read more

We've been using Shepler's ever since I was a kid. There is always plenty of parking onsite. The staff is always friendly. The boats are nice! I love sitting on the top deck when the weather is nice! When we have spent the night on the island and brought bikes and luggage, our items always come get to the island in perfect condition. Will use Shepler's next time we are in town! read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

Shepler's ferry has been around for a while. Great way to get to Mackinac Island, nice employees, cleans boats, and departure times every 30 minutes. Prices have definitely gone up on everything. Tough enough that the ferry pass has gone up, you now have to pay for parking for a day trip. read more

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I bought tickets a few weeks in advance of our trip. We saved the parking fee since we could walk from our hotel. We arrived about 40 minutes early for the 8:30am boat from St Ignace which at the end of May was plenty early. If it weren't for the 70 grade school kids on a tour the boat would have been relatively empty. All of the staff we encountered were super friendly. We chatted with a couple of them as we waited in line and they gave us some touring tips for on the island. Give the cold, gray and windy morning we opted for indoor seats - a good choice. The trip is less than 20 mins. On our return later that day we were surprised at how empty the boat was. We waited less than 10 mins. The return weather was much more pleasant so we rode outside. Still windy but fun. Overall a very good experience. Not cheap but then again what are your choices? read more

Make sure your luggage is tagged correctly! Upon dropping off your luggage at the luggage drop off, the staff asks which hotel we will be staying at. Based on the hotel they tag the luggage with different tags. This determines how your luggage is handled at arrival. For example if you're staying at the Grand Hotel, the luggages are taken directly there. We told the older gentleman who checked in our luggage that we were staying at Mackinac House and he placed an orange tag on the luggage. Fortunately we got a text from our hotel to make sure that our luggage gets a pink tag so that the hotel staff knows which luggage needs pick up. We spoke with the older gentleman again and told him that our luggage needs the pink tag because we are staying at the the Mackinac House. He proceeded to tell us that it was our fault it was tagged wrong because we didn't tell him the correct hotel name. Unbelievable! Wish I could give them a 3.5 rating. The reason for the high rating despite the luggage blunder is that the rest of the service was good, from the clean bathroom in the waiting area to the actual transportation and the crew on the ship. Premium overnight parking is $45 per night, $20 for parking at a distant parking lot but they do provide a shuttle. We chose the premium but looking back, we should just have done the $20. read more

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Definitely would suggest this place especially if you have a dog. St.Ignace isn't the most dog friendly place so if you're traveling solo basically no one to watch your dog, then you need to pack a lunch. Staff greeted me and my dog during boarding and exiting. would definitely use them again in the future. Happy travelling! read more

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Staff was very helpful with handicap people and children. They were great with the luggage and the ferry ride was wonderful. read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Light house off Mackinac Island - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

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Enjoyed the ride! We found Shepler's to be a dollar per person less than the other ferry line, so we decided to try them. Their parking lot in St. Ignace was large, clean and well organized. The ferry was very clean and the staff was very kind. The ferry ride to the island was nice and smooth. The return trip was equally as pleasant. I'd recommend Shepler's to anyone heading over to the island. read more

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Excellent service, delicious food, and a nice atmosphere. Very reasonable prices too and family friendly. read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Dill pickle/cheese pizza - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

My family and I used this ferry when visiting Mackinac Island. It's $36 per adult, but if you purchase online in advance it's $34. There's free parking, clean bathrooms, and water bottle filling station. The ferry ran on time, it was clean, and had open air seating up top or glass-enclosed seating in the main cabin. The employees were interacted with were all friendly and helpful. 10/10 would recommend! read more

My husband and I travelled round-trip to Mackinac Island from St Ignace in early June, 2023 on Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry. We were attracted to Shepler's by their advertisements that highlight that they were family founded and operated for over 75 years. *Getting there. Shepler's advertises that they offer a free shuttle from mainland area hotels and campgrounds. We didn't use this service but instead went directly to the ferry after visiting the St. Ignace's lighthouse. Access in/out was easy. Parking was plentiful, secure, and free for the day. (There is a charge for overnight parking). *Ticket purchase. We bought our tickets on-site, although you can also purchase tickets on-line. An adult roundtrip ticket was $36 (June, 2023) and included free parking. No discounts are offered for seniors, AAA, or AARP members. You can also take a ride at scheduled times on "Mighty Mac", providing a narrated 25 minute journey under the Mackinaw Bridge at no additional charge. Lighthouse and night stay cruises are also available. *Departure and trip. The boat started to load just as we finished buying our tickets, so we rushed over to the line. (Note that the company advertises that they have the most scheduled departures -- about every 30 minutes between 7:30 am and 8:30 pm). Some passengers, who were staying on-island, were depositing their luggage. Others were moving onto the boat. There is open-air seating on the upper level, and also seating in an enclosed lower deck. The boat felt safe and smooth, on a well-maintained boat with life preservers available (in the event of an emergency). The weather was calm on the day of our departure/return, and the ride was smooth. The actual ride was only about 15 minutes each way. Note that bicycles and pets can also be transported. A few minor things prevented a 5-star rating. *passengers are instructed to "retain your ticket to have scanned for your return trip." An electronic option would be easier for many passengers. *there was some confusion for boarding for our return trip to St Ignace. After our tickets were scanned, we were directed by the agent to a line for boarding. It turned out that the line was for Mackinaw City (and not St Ignace). MANY passengers, us included, didn't realize the mistake until another line of passengers started passing us, boarding another boat. *No senior discounts. *there are no restrooms on board. While it is a short ride, some passengers could get seasick or have weak bladders. We would ride with Shepler's again. read more

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Purchased discounted $32 pp RT from our hotel and took the free shuttle. The hotel reception told us to allocate 15 minutes prior to the ferry departure which isn't enough time. I'd advise 30 minutes since it took the shuttle 5 minutes to get to our hotel, load up paseengers, and another 5 minutes to the terminal. We got to the terminal at 10:29 am for 10:30 am departure but the people at the dock said no more boarding even the boat hasn't departed yet. So we waited for another 30 minutes just admiring the waters and enjoying the lake breeze on this gloomy day! read more

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2 hour wait in line in sun at docks in St. Ignacio to board ferry... we could have used Arnold's ferry and had 15 minutes wait.. don't make the same mistake! Only one ferry operating.. read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Not cheap! - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

First time to the island; we are visiting from CA. My husband booked our tickets online. I like how they don't have a date and time they need to be used by. Dogs are free. Our ride out to Mackinac wasn't as full as on the way back. On the way to the island we sat up top. We went around the bridge which was cool. On the way back it was straight to the mainland. read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

We recently took Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry to Mackinac Island for a 5 night stay. They are a well oiled machine and the entire experience was smooth and convenient. They have several times a day you can choose to take the ferry. This was nice as we weren't entirely sure what time we'd make it to the St. Ignace and this allowed for us to have a less structured day (no rushing to get there). A couple of their trips over to the island each day divert a bit and go under the Mackinac Bridge. They're clearly marked in their schedule. We weren't able to take one but would have been lovely. The trip (without the bridge diversion) is roughly 15 minutes. You can sit on the upper deck which is outside or inside, which still has plenty of windows to enjoy the views. Their luggage transport is super easy. You simply check your bags at the beginning of the line to board and when you get off the ferry, there's a spot to pick up. Our luggage was ready to go as soon as we disembarked, which was nice. A truly smooth experience all the way around! read more

The ferry ride was nice and the boat was clean. The staff was really friendly on the way to the island and made sure to let everyone know where they would get wet. Loved that it was every 30 minutes and wasn't late. read more

We ordered our 2 adult tickets along with bicycle passes online. When you arrive for your free day parking you will grab a parking ticket (don't lose it, you need it to get out.) There are no reservations times so I would suggest arriving at least 30 minutes to an hour prior to your desired time to help get your optimum seat. Staff will scan your online ticket and put a band on your bicycle. They will then direct you to the waiting area for the ferry with your bicycle. When you hear the "all aboard" make your way towards the vessel and the staff will take your bikes and you go find the best seat. We took the "Might Mac" ferry that takes you under the bridge and the Captain provides some brief trivia about the structure. This tour was about 21 minutes. Upon arrival at the island and exiting the ship the staff will direct you to your bicycle. There will be a bit of a bottle neck on the dock with people but it will open up when you reach Main Street. Military discounts (in person purchase only) or combo online tickets. Professional, well dressed friendly staff. Very clean vessel. No restrooms onboard but they do have them at both docks. Since 2016 they are now the oldest running ferry and the only one my family and I take when we visit the island. read more

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I've used Shepler's every time we've visited the island. It's easy to get out tickets online, and have them ready on my phone when it's time to board. We usually go out of Macinaw City, but the most recent trip was from St. Ignace. I've gotten the earlier ride twice now that goes under the bridge and it's just a neat view from down below. Smooth sailing (most of the time!), nice staff and a fun ride! read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

We were just there and were so impressed! They shuttled us for free from our hotel to and from!! The ferry runs frequently and was very convenient for us...I would highly recommend for anyone travelling to Mackinac Island!! read more

It was my and my family's first time on a ferry, and we had a great experience. The ferry was clean and safe, the view was spectacular, everyone we came in contact with at Shepler's was friendly and helpful, and the whole thing was like one big, fun ride to my kids. I feel like it's worth it just to ride the ferry from one dock to the other! If you are visiting Mackinac Island, be aware that ferry service stops for the season around early November, and resumes for tourists in the spring. There is another ferry that will take you to and from Mackinac Island, but we had such a great experience with Shepler's that I think this will be the ferry service we use the next time we visit the island. read more

The parking situation and shuttle were a nightmare. We were the fourth car in the lot and waited 35 minutes for a shuttle with over 100 people. A bit of communication telling us the walk was less than 10 minutes would have been helpful. read more

It is quite literally the only way to go to Mackinac Island unless you have private water or air transportation at your disposal. Everyone was very friendly and extremely efficient. Their facilities are well thought out and well designed. You can sit inside or out - lots more to see outside. The ride was fast and smooth with no hard knocks when docking. They really do a great job and can accommodate you and your family very easily. read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Already on the ferry - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

Clean, very efficient, nice staff, professional processes. Everything you could want from a ferry. This is clearly the better choice of the two ferries that travel from St Ignace. read more

We have taken this ferry twice over to Mackinac Island and always had a great experience. You can order your tickets online which makes it easy, they provide free parking, and the onboarding is quick and easy. The ferries are clean and roomy. If you are going to spend the night, you can arrange to have your luggage picked up and delivered to your hotel which is super convenient. As we left the dock this time, we were treated to a nice and up close view of Mackinac Bridge. From there, the boat sped across Lake Huron to the incredible Mackinaw Island. Unfortunately, my daughter got a little green around the gills so I had to take care of her until we reached the harbor. Once we docked, she was fine thank goodness. I like the choice of sitting downstairs in case you encounter some weather or riding up top where you can let the wind hit your face across the water. There is no way around it! You have to take a ferry to get to the island so I will always take Shepler's! read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - View of The Grand Hotel - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

I had a really good experience with Shepler's. We went camping in the Straits State park and it's just right around the corner. Parking is free unless it's over night, which was nice, and they just have ferry's running every half hour so it was just super convenient. They were also really good with spacing people out, providing hand sanitizer everywhere, requiring masks, etc. There was a clearly spelled out procedure for even purchasing a guidebook to control infection and I low-key loved the intense structure lol... Taking our dog was no problem either, pets ride for free. They do take bikes too, which is good to know for next time. read more

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Ferries Near Me - St Ignace, Michigan

Shepler's Ferry service is a great way to get over to Mackinac Island. We were an overnight guest so we pulled up and they directed us to an unloading area where a staff member treated us and loaded our luggage on a cart for the appropriate hotel. We had made reservations online but went to the ticket counter to make payment. We got lucky and were able to get a spot in the lot at the dock which cost a little bit more but was worth it. We were on the 6:30 PM ferry over to the island so we had the pick of any seat we liked for the ride over. The process the ferry has set up with the hotels is pretty amazing and efficient. By the time we were off the boat and to the end of the dock, the bellman for our hotel had our bags and was waiting for us. The boats are in great condition and very comfortable. They make the passage back one way in about 15 minutes, and you are treated to some great water views of the area. All the staff was friendly and professional in doing their job. It was an easy experience and a fun way to start your time on Mackinac Island. read more

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The price at Shepler's is terrible. We used Starline/Arnold for decades and came in October to go to the Island, but Starline has had issues and we were shuttled to Shepler's for the ferry. Shepler's price gouging has led to a 30% mark up over Starline. They are absolutely taking advantage of the monopoly with an honestly disgusting level of price increase. At Starline, our round trip for 3 was $80. At Shepler's it was $96. When we asked about a senior discount for my 96 year old grandparent, the lady said that the founder was 86 years old and didn't believe in discounts. Horrible pricing and disrespectful service. Shepler'a should be ashamed for such terrible business. read more

We couldn't have been more pleased with the service We were met by a young gentleman that explained what to do. Our luggage was all tagged and taken right from the car. When we got to the island our luggage was all there. Then another man took them directly to our room. Same thing on the return. All smooth as silk Made our vacation even more delightful. read more

I thought I wrote a review for Shepler's last year but realized it's for the Mackinaw City location. Anyways, after a wonderful experience with Shepler's last September my family and I chose to use Shepler's again this past week. Shepler's ferry was fast and efficient and getting my family to and from Mackinac Island safely. Boarding was simple. Plenty of room and space. Day parking is free and they do have overnight parking as well for a small fee. Dog friendly. If you've never been under the Mackinac bridge I highly suggest doing one of the Mighty Mac departures. This trip takes you under the Mackinac Bridge. Trip takes about 25 minutes and there is no extra cost. I was able to take plenty of awesome photos. On the way back to Saint Ignace we sat on the upper deck. Very breezy and a bit chilly but the sun was shining and it was awesome to experience going over the lake. Staff has always been friendly and welcoming. read more

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After discovering the charge of a convenience fee of $2.00 per person at Starline we had to remain in line for ticketing. Ok, we accepted that. When we were instructed to go to another ferry service across the parking lot, avoiding a heavily loaded field of geese dung, we ended up waiting in the hot and humid sun drenched line for the next available boat at Shepler's. We initially asked for a refund of the inconvenience fee, but the folks at Shepler's were perplexed as to why. Discovering Shepler's purchased Starline on July 30th. They should've taken the Starline website down in order to skip the whole process. I think we should be charging back an inconvenience fee of $2.00 dollars! read more

I really enjoyed using Shepler's for my first trip to Mackinac Island. The process to buy online tickets was very easy, and they scanned the QR code that was emailed to me instead of making me print tickets. They also have a shuttle service that picked us up from our hotel. I wanted to go on the tour that takes you under the bridge, but we ended up being too late for it. The only downside is that they aren't precautious for Covid. There were no signs or announcements that you had to wear masks unless you are vaccinated, and they didn't make any announcements. This really sucked on the ride back because the boat was completely full. read more

Took the ferry from Mackinaw City to the island 10/16. The gentleman directing us was a bit curt. The ride was comfortable & the ferry was clean. Disembarked on the island & the dock porter was rude. We wanted to take our own luggage as we each only had one bag. On every previous trip with Mackinaw Island Ferry, we were allowed to take our own if we wanted to. I asked another dock porter if our luggage would be at the hotel when we got there (we arrived around 11:30/12 I believe) & he said "it should be." WHAT??? We went to our hotel & our room wasnt ready so we went for a walk. We got back to the hotel around 4 & our luggage STILL wasnt there! It did not arrive until around 5:30! What if we had something in our luggage we NEEDED before then? Thankfully, the head porter at the hotel was AWESOME & KIND. Hoping the "other" ferry company is up & running when we go next time. read more

We stayed across from their boat dock and walked through their parking lot. We did cut through their lot...but the parking lot attendant stopped us, made us show him proof we hadn't parked there-how do you prove you DON'T have a car? It was very weird. Later in the week when we were planning to ride the ferry, we chose a different line because that formed our opinion on their line. read more