NORTH AND SOUTH MANITOU ISLANDS

For information on the islands and the whole park, contact Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

TO AND FRO

Starting May 1, the ferries start zipping back and forth from Leland, Michigan to North and South Manitou Islands. If you decide to make a crossing in May or even early June, plan on a very chilly trip. Wear a jacket. Wear a hat. Expect your nose to drip. During the rest of the summer, a jacket is still a good idea -- even on the warmest days.
Round trips have gone up a bit for 2006 to the either island cost $29 for adults and $15 for kids age 12 and younger. For a canoe or kayak, it's $29.
SOUTH MANITOU
You can bring a picnic lunch and take day trips to this island, and even take a motorized tour. The tour costs $8 for adults and $5 for children and gives a pretty good overview of the way islanders used to live. Park Rangers can tell you about the light station and even let you climb to the top of the 100-foot tower.
If you wish to stay the night -- and your can -- bring your own tent and food. The island has three campgrounds. Be sure to get your camping permits from the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore office also on the dock. You will have to pay$10 to enter the park and $5 for each night that you camp.
DAYS AND TIMES. The ferry runs daily through Labor Day. From Labor to Sept. 15, it runs on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday with day-trips only on Wednesday and Saturday. From Sept. 16 to the second weekend in October, it runs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with day trips only on Saturday.
Check-in Time: 9:15 a.m. at the office on the Leland dock. The boat leaves at 10 a.m. and arrives at South Manitou on 11:30 a.m. Bring a jacket, crossing the Manitou Straits can get chilly even in mid-July. The ferry leaves the island dock at 4:30 and arrives back in Leland at 6 p.m.

NORTH MANITOU This is a wilderness island. No amenities except fresh water. Also no day visits here. If you get off the ferry, you stay the night. Or several nights depending on your plans and the ferry schedule. For a camping permit, check with at the ranger office on the Leland dock. A seven-day park pass costs $10 and camping costs $5 a night.

DAYS AND TIMES. The ferry makes crossings daily except Tuesday and Thursday until Labor Day. From Labor Day to Sept. 15, it runs Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. From Sept. 16 to the second weekend in October, the ferry goes on Friday and Sunday. For the fall hunting, check with Manitou Island Transit. See below.
Check-in time is 9:15 a.m. The ferry leaves for the island at 10 a.m. and arrives about 11:10 a.m. There is no layover. Arriving passengers get off and people leaving the island get on. The ferry gets back to Leland sometime soon after noon.
For details and reservations, contact Manitou Island Transit.