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Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry

4.3 (107 reviews)

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Lower deck
Lea C.

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

Bridget H.

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!

Arley L.

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.

Ferry entrance tent
Karen L.

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.

Dog friendly
Shunda B.

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!

Light house off Mackinac Island
Tabitha B.

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

Our Shepler's Ferry.
Jim B.

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.

Dill pickle/cheese pizza
Angela M.

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

Laura S.

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.

Sophie Y.

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!

Not cheap!

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..

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Ask the Community - Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry

Review Highlights - Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry

We found Shepler's to be a dollar per person less than the other ferry line, so we decided to try them.

Mentioned in 4 reviews

Read more highlights

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry - Suitcases being offloaded

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry

2.8(96 reviews)
0.3 mi

"Cause I'm free to decide, I'm free to decide"…read more(The Cranberries) You can decide on a few ferry services to get you to and off Mackinac Island, but for us, our decision to travel with the Mackinac Island Ferry Company's ships from St. Ignace to Mackinac Island was a good one. We bought our tickets on the website, and that was super easy to do. Our two fastPASS Round Trip adult tickets were $31 each plus a $2 convenience fee. Our tickets directed us to park at Dock #3 in St. Ignace, and that location is well marked with big signs. Parking is free, and the dock was well staffed with plenty of folks to answer questions and keep the traffic flowing. There are no arrangements available to book a ferry for a specific time, you just go and wait on line for the next one. The ferry company steps up departures during heavy tourist season. It was quite a sight to see the deck hands hustling when our ship arrived from St. Ignace to get us off the island. We must have seen them unload 100 bicycles and scores of luggage carts for those spending some time on the island. Expect your ride to take 15-20 minutes.

I've used Star Line as my way to get to and from Mackinac Island every single time over the years…read moreand they have all been 5-star experiences! They are wonderful and always on time, and offer different types of boats to suit all your different needs - they even have a pirate boat! I have yet to try that one because the timing never lines up, but hopefully one day I'll get to! We always book in person, so I am unaware if there is a way to book it online beforehand. I also normally go during the peak season for Mackinac Island, but I think because there are so many companies and ferries to and from the island, it'll never be sold out for long. Perhaps you might show up and the next available departure is sold out, but the following one won't be and you can easily get that one and wait a little longer before departing! Once you're on the island, there is no set time to come back with your roundtrip ticket. You just come back whenever you're ready and get in line to do so, and I appreciate that convenience and flexibility! Every once in a while as well, the Star Line ferry will take a different route, once again just depending on which time you book! The most recent time I took the ferry, which was this past summer, we happened to be on a boat that took a little detour UNDER the Mackinac Bridge!!!!!!! That was so exhilarating and not anything I ever imagined doing, but loved it when I got down there and could be the proper TROLL that I am haha! It was a nice bonus treat at no extra charge and really started our journey over to Mackinac Island nicely! Star Line is also so convenient and you can easily bring your dog on board as well, in addition to bikes and strollers. They have good, organized systems built into place for all of your needs around this and that doesn't go unnoticed by me either. It's much appreciated and always a good time aboard Star Line ferries!

Photos
Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry - Ticket terminal

Ticket terminal

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry - Second stop on the ferry to Mackinac. Do not use this ferry, Shepler's is worth the $3 more. Better parking, cleaner facilities, friendlier

Second stop on the ferry to Mackinac. Do not use this ferry, Shepler's is worth the $3 more. Better parking, cleaner facilities, friendlier

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry - View of Mackinac Island from the Star Line ferry

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View of Mackinac Island from the Star Line ferry

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Get your tickets here

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry

3.9(223 reviews)
5.5 mi

Staff were professional and polite. The trip was uneventful. Our luggage made it safely both ways…read moreincluding the two bikes our spouses brought. Seating is a bit crowded, and priority seating for a large special group meant that none of our group of four could sit together.

They offer two different types of parking here, and they both cost money. The regular parking costs…read moreless, but you need to take a shuttle to the parking lot, which is off site. The premium parking costs more but it's near the dock. So you choose! We chose the regular parking, but we almost missed getting on the ferry because it took a while to get to the parking and back. Ferries leave every hour, usually, so we would have had to wait an hour. So, four stars because of the parking situation. It's kind of a bummer, but they got you by the cojones because where else are you going to park if you want to catch the ferry to Mackinac Island? The rest of the ferry experience was great. The people expertly tag and handle luggage, and the ride is smooth. You can sit on the deck and take in the view, but keep in mind that it's very windy and can get cold, even during the summer months. Or you can sit below deck where it's climate controlled. You can still get a great view below deck. The trip from the mainland to Mackinac Island (and vice versa) takes about 17 minutes, and they depart right on time. Don't be late, or you'll have to catch the next ferry.

Photos
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry
Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - Mackinaw Bridge

Mackinaw Bridge

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry

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Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry - View of Mackinac Island from the Star Line ferry

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry

2.5(34 reviews)
5.5 mi

I've used Star Line as my way to get to and from Mackinac Island every single time over the years…read moreand they have all been 5-star experiences! They are wonderful and always on time, and offer different types of boats to suit all your different needs - they even have a pirate boat! I have yet to try that one because the timing never lines up, but hopefully one day I'll get to! We always book in person, so I am unaware if there is a way to book it online beforehand. I also normally go during the peak season for Mackinac Island, but I think because there are so many companies and ferries to and from the island, it'll never be sold out for long. Perhaps you might show up and the next available departure is sold out, but the following one won't be and you can easily get that one and wait a little longer before departing! Once you're on the island, there is no set time to come back with your roundtrip ticket. You just come back whenever you're ready and get in line to do so, and I appreciate that convenience and flexibility! Every once in a while as well, the Star Line ferry will take a different route, once again just depending on which time you book! The most recent time I took the ferry, which was this past summer, we happened to be on a boat that took a little detour UNDER the Mackinac Bridge!!!!!!! That was so exhilarating and not anything I ever imagined doing, but loved it when I got down there and could be the proper TROLL that I am haha! It was a nice bonus treat at no extra charge and really started our journey over to Mackinac Island nicely! Star Line is also so convenient and you can easily bring your dog on board as well, in addition to bikes and strollers. They have good, organized systems built into place for all of your needs around this and that doesn't go unnoticed by me either. It's much appreciated and always a good time aboard Star Line ferries!

Update, they found the bag. Except they were asking for our credit card information to ship the bag…read moreover to us. How are we gonna pay for something they lost? But fortunately they sent it back to us without charge. So thankful for them finding our items and sending it back.

Photos
Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry - Mackinac Bridge as seen from Star Line ferry!

Mackinac Bridge as seen from Star Line ferry!

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry - Mackinac Bridge as seen from Star Line ferry!

Mackinac Bridge as seen from Star Line ferry!

Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry - Getting close to Mackinac Island

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Getting close to Mackinac Island

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry - ferries - Updated June 2026

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