Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

09/02/2026

RADIO REPLAY ▶️🛟

A deep sea expedition is happening right now, and NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is playing an important role. Phil Hartmeyer shared lots of exciting details on True North Radio Network this morning live. We have a reply here.

Check out the livestream action at https://NautilusLive.org

08/27/2026

We may still be smiling from last weekend's Thunder Bay Maritime Festival!

It. Was. Awesome.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the events, exhibits, races, and sails! Speaking of sails, we had people from Florida, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and 26 different Michigan zip codes purchase tickets for a sail on the two-masted schooner Inland Seas! That's cool, and this video gives a glimpse of what it was like.

Thank you to our partners who helped bring this event to life:
Downtown Alpena
Alpena Chamber
City of Alpena, MI - Information
Dork Brothers Racing Team

Also, thank you to all of the exhibitors that joined us on Saturday for the Learn & Play: Discovery Day.

And finally, thank you to everyone who enjoyed the festival.

08/27/2026

Thank you for helping share NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary so more people can explore, learn, and !

08/24/2026

RAIN GARDEN: a shallow, planted depression designed to catch, hold, and filter rainwater runoff from hard surfaces like roofs and driveways before erosion or pollution can take over. In our case, it also helps to keep unwanted debris and chemicals from flowing straight into the Thunder Bay River.

This specific rain garden was originally planted by Posen High School students alongside Huron Pines a few years back. Just last week, the team from Huron Pines swung by to give our Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff a hands-on refresher on w**d identification—teaching us exactly what to pull, what to keep, and how these native ecosystems thrive.

A huge thanks to Huron Pines for a great lesson in native plants and watershed protection!

BTW - have walked the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail?
🔗https://thunderbay.noaa.gov/
Scroll to the bottom of the homepage to learn more about the trail.

08/24/2026

GREAT FEATURE from Midwest Living on Alpena!

What would you add?

In the northeast corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, Alpena offers visitors shipwreck tours on the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, small-batch cider and beer, and a night sky worth planning around. Don’t miss the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, Alpena Shipwreck Tours, or Rockport ...

08/23/2026

There was a great turnout for Saturday afternoon at the Thunder Bay Maritime Festival!

Rainy skies moved the activities into the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, but shout out to all of our exhibitors and guests who made the best of it! 

It is not too late to jump in to the festival! INLAND SEAS is planning to offer tall ship sails on Sunday, August 23.

🔗Learn more at ThunderBayFriends.org/Maritime-Festival

08/22/2026

WEATHER UPDATE ⛈️
BOAT PARADE CANCELLED

The ongoing rain and storms has led the Thunder Bay Maritime Festival team to cancel the boat parade at 8 PM due to safety concerns.

08/22/2026

There's still time to join us on Lake Huron to catch a breeze aboard S/V Inland Seas!

Join us at the Thunder Bay Maritime Festival (hosted by Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary & Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary) for a two-hour sail. On this sailing adventure, you’ll have the unique opportunity of observing the Alpena shoreline from the water.

You’ll even have the opportunity to play the part of a schooner sailor as you help hoist the sails. Or just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride. Our crew is eager to share insights into traditional sailing, the ship’s history, and the Great Lakes.

Make sure you wear extra layers as temperatures on the water can be chilly; this is a rain or shine event. We recommend you do not wear flip-flop-type shoes.

🎟️ Grab Your Tickets Before They’re Gone: $55 Adults | $35 Kids (11 & under)

📍 Boarding Location: 15 minutes before departure on the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail (behind the Center).

⚓️ THIS WEEKEND'S SAIL SCHEDULE:

TODAY (Friday, Aug 21)
10:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 4:00 PM

Saturday, Aug 22
10:00 AM
12:00 PM–5:00 PM: FREE Deck Tours!
7:15 PM: Special Evening Sail joining the Thunder Bay Maritime Festival Boat Parade & Sunset Cruise!

Sunday, Aug 23
10:00 AM | 1:00 PM | 4:00 PM

Space is limited! Tap the link to secure your tickets in advance. 🎟️👇
https://www.simpletix.com/e/inland-seas-sail-away-tickets-280481

08/22/2026

WEATHER UPDATE:
The 8pm boat parade is a go, but live music from 4pm to 8pm has been cancelled.

08/22/2026

WEATHER UPDATE:
The Learn & Play: Discovery Day from 12 - 5pm will happen inside the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. Deck tours on INLAND SEAS will happen on the river.