Sailing South Haven, 2010–2023
We’ve moved up the coast to Saugatuck.
After many years in South Haven, we now sail Serenity, Saugatuck’s only tall ship, about 18 minutes away by car.
- Family-run since 2010
- Coast Guard-certified crew
- No more than 24 guests
Saugatuck, Michigan · about 18 minutes by car from South Haven
Sail Saugatuck’s only tall ship
Serenity is the tall ship our family dreamed of for years, and the best part of a sail comes when we reach Lake Michigan and our crew raises her big sails by hand. It’s real sailing with nothing staged, and with no more than 24 guests aboard it stays easygoing and personal. Ask the crew anything, take a turn on a line, or settle in with a drink. With Saugatuck’s historic downtown, the river and the dunes as your backdrop, the trip pays off before the sails even go up.
What you’ll do
Down the river and out the channel Past historic downtown Saugatuck, the hand-cranked chain ferry (we always wave) and Mount Baldhead, then lake houses and wooded shoreline. Keep an eye out for deer and bald eagles.
Up go the sails Our crew raises them by hand. Lend a hand if you like; it makes a great photo.
Sail the open lake There’s no set route. We go wherever the wind takes us.
Or sail at sunset Evening sails head out as the sun goes down over the lake.
Good to know
- Run by
- The Morris family, whose Sailing South Haven was the #1 tour in South Haven on Tripadvisor for years
- Where
- Tower Marina in Douglas, Saugatuck’s sister city
- How long
- About 2 hours. Day and sunset sails, generally Memorial Day to early October
- Tickets
- Individual tickets on daily public sails (ages 4 and up), or book a private charter
- Included
- Soft drinks and water, a cooler for your own drinks and snacks (BYOB), and free parking
For your group
Private charters
Have Serenity to yourselves for a wedding or elopement, a reunion, a birthday, a family outing or a company event, with room for up to 24 guests.
Can I bring kids?
Yes, ages 4 and up on public sails. Children 4 to 6 must wear a life vest: bring your own Coast Guard-certified Type II vest or use one of ours.
What should I bring?
A sweater or light jacket, since it can be cooler on the water, and your own beer or wine and snacks. There’s a cooler on board, plus soft drinks and water.
Is there a bathroom on board?
Yes, a small one (the head), down a ladder-style staircase.
How far ahead should I book?
Our most popular sails usually sell out about two weeks ahead, so book early, especially for groups of four or more.
Getting there
How to find our new dock
- Drive
- From South Haven, about 18 minutes by car
- Address
- 219 N Union St, Douglas, MI 49406. Douglas is Saugatuck’s sister city, so your map may say Douglas
- Look for
- Tower Marina, just off Blue Star Highway, between the red lighthouse and the Red Dock Cafe
- Parking
- Free, in the large lot next to the dock
- Arrive
- 15 minutes before departure
Where it all started
Our years in South Haven
We started Sailing South Haven in 2010 with the Margaret Ann, a six-passenger sloop. South Haven is where we grew up, and we miss having a slip right downtown, in the mix with all the fun. It was also our stepping stone to a lifelong family dream: running a tall ship. 2023 was our last season there, and the Margaret Ann is retired now.
If you sailed with us, thank you. Our Saugatuck crew includes some familiar faces from those days, and we’d love to see you aboard Serenity.
The Morris family