Reviews: Leland Township Harbor

Reviewed by: G. Jay Nelson , Pegasus, on Oct 5, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 44'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

The Leland Township Harbor marina is relatively new and has very stable floating docks with power/water pedestals for each slip. The restroom, showers and laundry are very well-maintained, and the boater's lounge is very comfortable. The dock hands were at the dock when we arrived to help with the lines. The marina has a grassy area that is dog-friendly. The town of Leland is small but charming, with several small tourist shops in the historic buildings. The Fish Town channel has salmon gates at the end of the channel where salmon jump to the upper lake. We dined twice at The Cove, which has patio areas at the edge of the Fish Town channel. There is also a small, but surprisingly well-stocked, grocery store within two blocks of the marina with a good selection of liquor/wine, fresh meat, fish, cheeses and vegetables. Note: the marina uses well water which has a very high iron content, so much so that iron stains are present on all of the water faucets on the dock and drains in the showers. I would not fill/top-off your water tanks with the marina water unless absolutely necessary, as it has a bitter taste.

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Reviewed by: Juleigh Parker , Plenty, on Sep 22, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.4'

Rating: 4

Lovely location, super clean restrooms and showers, helpful staff. The water seems to be heavy with iron which causes staining in the (individual) shower stalls and smells quite strong. Dog friendly town with pup cones at the ice cream shop! Very helpful and friendly staff.

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Reviewed by: Bill Kight , Cookie, on Aug 9, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 27'
Draft: 2.2'

Rating: 5

Stayed one night 8-1-2024

This marina is everything a boater looks for in a municipal marina. The staff answers the phone and responds to radio calls. The docks, power, water were all in good shape and functioned normally. The dock hands were all well-trained, competent and a pleasure to be around. The bathrooms and showers were excellent and well-maintained.

The town of Leland is steps away from the marina. The smoked salmon at Carlson's in Fishtown is simply outstanding. The Mercantile grocery is well stocked.

In all, Leland is a great stop.

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Reviewed by: Paul Steindorf , Ohana, on Jul 21, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 4.5'

Rating: 4

A lot more to this town than I thought, mostly the shopping in Fishtown. Decent groceries at the Mercantile. Public sandy beach close by. Marina is nice with good baths and laundry. All in all a great stop if you need one in part of the coast

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Reviewed by: Douglas Morrow , Ripple, on Jun 29, 2024
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is a Beautiful marina in picturesque Leland. Be sure to go to Fishtown for quaint shops, Dam Candy Store and The Cheese Shop for sandwiches. The Cove restaurant will even cook your fish for you if you have been out on a charter. Try the Chubby Mary cocktail! There is a nice lounge, grill area, 2 washers and dryers and clean private showers.

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Reviewed by: DJ Sauber , Searenity, on Oct 16, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 5

This is a very beautiful place. We were here for 6 nights due to the weather. We were glad we chose to stop. The dock master is one of the best we've met…very helpful!

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Reviewed by: Lori Pickette on Sep 11, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 37'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

Be advised the dam empties into the marina right by the seawall, you might feel the current. Dock help is experienced and friendly. Town is mere steps away with restaurants and shops. Pick up some freshly smoked fish and stop by Venterra Winery for some good wine!! Bathrooms are clean and boaters lounge nice. Would definitely stop again!

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Reviewed by: Chris Ensing , Pau Hana, on Sep 8, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 31'
Draft: 3.4'

Rating: 5

Great marina, easy in & out. Staff was super helpful. Showers & restrooms are nice. Inexpensive laundry $3/load. Town is nice.

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Reviewed by: Tom Taylor on Jul 17, 2023
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 42'
Draft: 0.0'

Rating: 4

Very nice smallish marina and tourist town. Multiple locals recommended Leland to me. Access to the nearby islands seems to be the main draw. As towns go, we preferred Frankfort 40 miles to the south.

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Reviewed by: Dan Hendon , Arcadia, on Aug 18, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 45'
Draft: 3.0'

Rating: 4

This is a beautiful spot and the marina is very good. As mentioned by others - a nice halfway point between Frankfort and Charlevoix. Dock hands are super helpful. Docks are floating with nice big cleats. No problem getting securely tied up. Town is immediately adjacent to the marina with quaint gift shops in Fishtown and also in Leland proper. Clean restrooms and showers all in good shape. I'd prefer a counter in the washroom rather than the stand alone ceramic sinks - there's not much space for your stuff. The entire marina building is very nice with a lounge, laundry, restrooms and several showers (I should have counted) Beaches on either side of the marina. We've stayed here many times for a night and one time for several when the lake didn't cooperate. One word of caution - don't fill your water tank here. There is a LOT of iron in the water. This is noted in the laundry (might stain your clothes) and we tied into the system and had rust stains in the morning from the small drip at the connection. As noted by others the channel in is narrow, give the end of the outer break wall plenty of clearance. We saw 8+ feet through the middle.

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Reviewed by: Shannon Anderson Alt on Aug 13, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

We love Leland. This is a storm harbor and everything from the dockhands to the facilities are quality. Perfect little harbor, can be tricky in high west or north winds as only a break wall separates you from Lake MI. Fish town is tiny with quaint shops and a handful of restaurants… perfect peace.

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Reviewed by: Linda McCormick on Jul 31, 2022
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 39'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Nicely kept marina with gang washrooms, individual showers, laundry facilities and a great boaters lounge. Helpful marina staff, fuel and pump-out at the entrance. As others have mentioned watch the shallows coming.

The village has a well stocked grocery on the main street, a collection of shops and a few restaurants in historic "Fishtown" and along the main street. Nice beaches within walking distance. There is some grass for dogs just behind the office.

Exposed to south west winds and can get quite bouncy.

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Reviewed by: Bill Mcmahon on Aug 28, 2021
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 40'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 4

Typically good Michigan municipal marina. Good showers and docks with both posts and cleats. The dock hands were great. We got hit with a gust as we were approaching the dock. They grabbed the lines and quickly tied us off.

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Reviewed by: Capt. Mac Rubel on Aug 17, 2021
LOA: 48'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Leland Municipal Harbor is an excellent stopping point while moving down the western shore of Michigan. It sits half way between Charlevoix and Frankfort and for slow boats divides the journey in half. Leland is not a DNR marina and reservations are suggested and must be made by phone with the marina. Dockage is $2.00 per foot with electric included in the price.

The harbor is well protected and you enter from the south end of the breakwater. The channel is well marked but pay attention to shallow water extending south from the breakwater. Give the end of the breakwater some room and line up for a straight shot into the harbor. The harbor is well protected but the water color favors the lake the empties in through a short river. Count on 12 feet coming into the harbor. We had 10 feet at our slip. Docks are fixed and well maintained with new cleats. Power and water are good and we had no problems hooking up. Wi-Fi is very good and cellular reception is good to very good for the three major providers.

The fuel dock is at the beginning of the harbor with pump out available. The "Office" includes large clean restrooms, individual shower rooms, a large and clean laundry room, and a spacious boater's lounge. Tables are available for picnics. The harbor is quite literally in the middle of town with boat launch, restaurant and grocery store all within a block of the marina. If the weather is good, the beach is two blocks away in either direction. Definitely a place to come back to!

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Reviewed by: Jonathan Walsdorf , M/V Golfinho, on Sep 2, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 43'
Draft: 3.5'

Rating: 5

Outstanding marina, laid back staff who were helpful and accommodating. Was held up there for six days due to weather. Visited just about every business in this very small town. People were friendly and welcoming; so nice, it has me considering spending future summers there.
Top notch facilities in a beautiful friendly harbor and town.

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Reviewed by: Charles Hagen , SV STAR CATCHER, on Aug 24, 2019
Vessel Type: Sail
LOA: 26'
Draft: 4.0'

Rating: 5

This is an EXCELLENT harbor to stay a night in. Expensive but beautiful.

The rates are NOT Michigan DNR rates.

I am a practical sailor. I look for marine supply and normal places to purchase marine supply from as well as local stores where my provisions can be purchased at a reasonable price.

This location seems geared more towards recreational boaters and shoppers. Tourist boaters would love it.

Salty sailors like myself are glad for a good harbor but expect better.

Diesel price higher here at $3.14/gal.

Dock Price at $1.80 a foot (far higher than any other place I have been to so far on Lake MI.).

Good facility. Higher prices than average. You decide.

Helpful staff.

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Reviewed by: Tina Pickell on Jun 1, 2019
Vessel Type: Power
LOA: 62'
Draft: 5.0'

Rating: 5

Leland is a MUST stop for the visiting cruiser-- the Fishtown area is picturesque and the perfect spot to pick up smoked fish at Carlson's. The quaint village of Leland hosts galleries, shops and a wonderful grocery store steps away from the harbor. The harbor staff knows their stuff and keeps the harbor clean and tidy-- no small task with sea gulls marking up the docks daily! The sunsets from the marina are spectacular, jaw dropping awesome with Manitou Island along the horizon. The new marina building is lovely-- brand new shower facilities still have that new construction smell.

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