Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay in Mackinaw City
Mackinaw City, United States

Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay

Outty Ranking 61 4.9 · 12 traveler reviews1.8 hoursFrom $45

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

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From, per person$45
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Outty Ranking

61/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.9/5

Based on 12 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay worth booking?

Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay is a 1.8-hour experience in Mackinaw City, United States, from $45 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 12 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
61 / 100
Rating
4.9/5 (12)
Duration
1.8 hours
From
$45 per person

Enjoy a relaxing evening on the Harbor Princess as you cruise across Little Traverse Bay, soaking in stunning sunset views. With the bar opening 30 minutes before departure, guests can purchase refreshing beverages and s

What you get

    About this experience

    Enjoy a relaxing evening on the Harbor Princess as you cruise across Little Traverse Bay, soaking in stunning sunset views. With the bar opening 30 minutes before departure, guests can purchase refreshing beverages and snacks to enhance the experience. Departure times shift with the sunset, offering you the chance to witness the changing colors of the evening sky. Perfect for those looking for a scenic and tranquil outing on the water.

    What's included

    Included

    • On-board restrooms

    Not included

    • Alcoholic beverages

    What you'll see and do

    1. The trip routes do changed based on the weather but typically the Harbor Princess will cross Little Traverse bay to Harbor Springs loop through the harbor then cruise over to Bay Harbor and loop through the Harbor there before returning to Petoskey.

      Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Mackinaw City

    Directions and Parking For Petoskey: Harbor Princess Docks in Bayfront Park at the Petoskey City Marina. Look for the Red Clock Tower and walk to the end of the pier. Free Parking is Available Near Ed White Baseball Field.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Directions and Parking For Petoskey: Harbor Princess Docks in Bayfront Park at the Petoskey City Marina. Look for the Red Clock Tower and walk to the end of the pier. Free Parking is Available Near Ed White Baseball Field.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay in Mackinaw City, photo 2Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay in Mackinaw City, photo 3Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay in Mackinaw City, photo 4Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay in Mackinaw City, photo 5Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay in Mackinaw City, photo 6Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay in Mackinaw City, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    3 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Traveler reviews

    8 verified traveler reviews for Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    7
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    LouBobHarborSprings · August 2024

    Magical cruise.

    My wife and I, along with our son and daughter-in-law, who are visiting us from their home in Oregon, took a sunset cruise, sponsored by The Salvation Army of Petoskey, yesterday. It was a charming experience. One can never tire of viewing the Petoskey and Harbor Springs shoreline from a boat on Little Traverse Bay. Interestingly, the larger of the two boats owned by the Little Traverse Bay Ferry Company, the Harbor Princess, was initially the Emerald Isle, ferrying passengers between Charlevoix and Beaver Island. Later it was a part of the Arnold Transit Line, ferrying passengers, freight, and horses between Mackinac Island and mainland docks in the Straits of Mackinac. Still later, it was the Diamond Jack, a dinner and river cruise boat in Detroit, most recently being anchored in Little Traverse Bay, as the larger of two boats run in the bay by the Little Travere Bay Ferry Company.

    via Tripadvisor

    V6895VProbinr · August 2024

    Beautiful, relaxing sunset cruise

    Captain John Pelikan and deckhand Garrett were the best! My wife and I finally had a chance to experience this ferry that has been making runs between Bay Harbor, Harbor Springs and Petoskey on beautiful Little Traverse Bay for a couple of years now. We opted for the 'grand tour' - with a couple of half-hour stops in Harbor Springs and Petoskey and finishing with a sunset over the water on the way back to Bay Harbor. Our 30th wedding anniversary was coming up later in the week, and the crew helped us celebrate with a relaxing cruise. Our golden retriever Jasper made the trip too and was pampered as well ;-)

    via Tripadvisor

    Coastal12723167434 · August 2024

    Sunshine and Fun

    It was a wonderful 2 hr experience! Captain John gave us a very nice history of the area as well lively conversation. Little Traverse Bay and its surroundings are simply beautiful. What a great opportunity to experience the bay if you are not fortunate enough to have your own boat.

    via Tripadvisor

    SudieN · July 2024

    Fabulous ferry—also takes bikes!

    What a great way to be on the water! We wanted to do a bike ride from harbor springs but we didn’t really want to ride round trip….. the ferry accepts bikes! So we had a great ride, then caught the 730pm ferry from Petosky to Harbor Springs. We had a gorgeous sunset, a smooth ride, and a great captain (John) and first mate (Garret). I highly recommend this! We will do it several more times on this trip.

    via Tripadvisor

    234deirdref · July 2024

    Must-do experience for all

    Such a fun experience! Captain John and crew could not have been more friendly and accommodating. Was interesting to hear about the history of the area and the ferry. The ferry ride is a must-do experience for all living in the area, as well as visitors. We traveled from Bay Harbor to Harbor Springs for our anniversary. Spent a couple hours in Harbor Springs restaurant and then returned. Watching the sunset was an added bonus.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.8 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    4
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 61

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)78
    Review evidence (18% weight)44
    Booking momentum (14% weight)34
    Value for money (12% weight)41
    Listing quality (10% weight)71
    Local standing (8% weight)66
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Mackinaw City.

    How much does Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay cost?

    +

    Prices start at $45 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Mackinaw City usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Mackinaw City is not rushed.

    Is Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 12 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Mackinaw City, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay?

    +

    Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Mackinaw City can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Mackinaw City and add a light layer if any part of the 1.8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Harbor Princess Sunset Cruise on Little Traverse Bay start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Mackinaw City within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Mackinaw City?

    +

    Mackinaw City, MI packs its best experiences into walkable neighborhoods, local food, and day trips nearby. Outty ranks every bookable tour and activity in Mackinaw City by rating quality, review depth, booking demand and value, so you can see the standouts before you book. On Outty we rank every Mackinaw City experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mackinaw City Sunset Cruise, Mackinaw City Parasailing, Fort Mackinac Admission. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Mackinaw City?

    +

    Spring and fall bring the best weather and lighter crowds in Mackinaw City, while summer has the widest choice of tours and evening activities. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Mackinaw City?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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