We had the good fortune to enjoy chartering a sailing excursion around the Straits of Mackinac, the portion of the “tip of the Mitt” where Lake Huron meets Lake Michigan, and sail around some of Michigan’s most iconic landmarks like the Mackinac Bridge and Round Island Lighthouse, during one of the most exceptional sunsets I’ve ever seen while on Mackinac Island. We’d never had a chance to sail around the island at sunset, and it was absolutely breathtaking, and now ranks as one of my favorite island activities!
Round Island Light has been an iconic feature of the Straits of Mackinac, and more importantly has safely guided ships through the rocky passage way, for more than 125 years!


The blue tinted cloudy sky quickly gave way to a gorgeous watercolored sunset of ethereal oranges, purples, and pinks. While it may have seemed like we weren’t going to have such a dramatic sunset, because it was so cloudy, some of the best sunsets I’ve ever witnessed were on cloudy days after heavy rains. This happens because the atmosphere becomes so saturated with moisture that the sunset refracts off of the surface of the water, and off of the water in the air, and bounces onto the clouds (which are really just made of even more water), meaning that we were essentially looking at the sunset so an incredible prism, in this case made of clouds and water droplets!


We had an absolutely fantastic time, and despite the really choppy waters that splashed me and my camera more than once, I was able to photograph some of Michigan’s most iconic landmarks during the most beautiful Northern Michigan sunset I’ve seen in years. I’d recommend bringing a light jacket and wearing boat shoes like the ones I wore (these), to prevent slipping on the deck of the boat. The next time you find yourself on Mackinac Island, charter a sunset cruise around Straits, you won’t regret it! Thank you to Mission Point Resort and Sip n’ Sail Cruises for arranging this gorgeous activity for us, it was truly magical!
Shop My Sunset Sail Outfit By Clicking on the Images Below
Safe travels!
Annie Fairfax
Follow Me for More: @AnnieFairfax & @AnnieWearsit
Lizzie says
This is so dreamy! I’ve been itching to travel! We were supposed to go a cross country road trip last week but had to cancel :-/ Going to look more into this though – we have family there and your photos make me want to go everywhere you’ve gone!
Lizzie
Legallee says
Wow it looks amazing, your photos are incredible!!
Sarah Lindner says
What beautiful shots! Looks dreamy! xoxo, Sarah
Stephanie says
I can’t get over how dreamy those sunset photos are – seriously so amazing! Talk about beautiful. I bet it was something incredibly special to experience this in person. Sounds like a truly wonderful place to visit, and your photos transported me there right along with you.
Nailil says
What a beautiful experience. These photos are absolutely amazing – you’re such an excellent photographer!
Xx, Nailil
Adaleta says
Seeing this really makes me want to jump on a boat and sail away for the weekend! This sounds like such a good time x
Laura says
Wow wow wow these photos are stunning gal! I want to be there right now!
xo Laura
K says
These pictures are absolutely beautiful! This looks like such an amazing experience! That sunset looked so amazing!
K