Experience the Outdoors
A few of the great adventure sports that the Grand Haven Area offers are listed below. To see even more, visit our Parks & Recreation page!
Kayaking
Kayaking at Pottawattomie Park
Gather the family and head out for an adventure, kayaking on the river. While there may not be any Class IV Rapids around here, there are sure to be lasting memories and good times. Lakeshore Kayak Rental can take care of everything from dropping off kayaks and canoes, to teaching you the basics, providing personal flotation devices, and even picking up the kayaks when you can’t paddle anymore. View land from a different perspective, and create a lasting adventure!
Charter Fishing
Salmon Fishing on Lake Michigan
Come cast a line in Grand Haven, recognized as the most chartered fishing port on Lake Michigan. What could be more adventuresome than fighting that big Chinook Salmon in the vast waters of Lake Michigan? With over thirty Charter Fishing captains, your options are numerous and your memories are priceless. Grab the camera, a few friends, and make reservations.
Primary catches in Lake Michigan and the inland waters include: Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Yellow Perch, Walleye, Largemouth Bass, and Blue Gill.
And don’t forget about our Annual Fishing Events:
Grand Haven Offshore Challenge
First weekend after Memorial Day
Grand Haven Salmon Festival-Big King Contest
Third weekend in September
Year-Long Fishing Contest
Grand Haven Steelheaders
Grand Haven Offshore Challenge
First weekend after Memorial Day
Grand Haven Salmon Festival-Big King Contest
Third weekend in September
Year-Long Fishing Contest
Grand Haven Steelheaders
Scuba
Discover Scuba
Interested in viewing the Grand Haven Area waters from the underside? How about scuba diving! Start off in the pool at Lakeshore Scuba, or jump into the lake and train to be open water certified. Already certified, and need to rent some equipment? Lakeshore Scuba can provide that too.
Now that you’re certified - where should you go? Consider the West Michigan Underwater Preserve or Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates to answer that question. There are numerous shipwrecks and underwater features including clay walls, waiting for you! One location is 4 miles west of the Grand Haven Channel, known as Ironsides. It is 100-120 feet deep and is an advanced dive. However the 218’ wooden twin prop steamer that was built in 1864 and sank in 1873 is fairly intact! Either way, an adventure awaits, as you strap on your tank and peer through your goggles at the underwater wonders.
Kiteboarding
Prepping Kiteboard for Lesson
Ride the waves of Lake Michigan on a kiteboarding adventure. The Midwest’s first and largest Kiteboarding school and shop is located here – MACKite. Teaching over 900 students, since 2000 when they became a PASA certified school, MACKite has the perfect lesson for you.
Start with beginner lessons, ranging from a 5-hour day to 2-day camps. For those who’ve been on a board and are ready for some new tricks, try the advanced classes. No matter your skill level, you will learn everything from gear and safety, to kite and riding skills. The trainers at MACKite, want you to succeed at this new and adventure filled sport – they even have trainer DVDs and practice kites you can use on your own before your lesson, to get the most from your class.
Are you ready to experience Lake Michigan from a kiteboard?
Jet Ski
With hundreds of rivers, streams, bayous, and lakes, the Grand Haven Area is a great place to launch onto the water on a Personal Watercraft or Jet Ski! Lake 2 Lake Watersports is making a splash in the Grand Haven Area through the rental of these summer fun watercrafts. Not only will they provide you with a 3-seater Yamaha VX 110, but also life vests, operator checklist, and one tank of gas! Rent by day, week, or even the hour. Contact Lake 2 Lake Watersports for more information on your next adventure!
Skatepark
Mulligan's Hollow Skatepark
Grab your skateboard, rollerblades, or bike, and head down to Mulligan’s Hollow Skatepark in Grand Haven, Michigan. Built a short time ago, this newly designed skatepark is 13,000 square feet, and comes complete with a view of Lake Michigan. For your next skating adventure use the park’s full sized bowl, quarter pipe, hubba box, box, rails, c-rails, 2 five stairs, and one 7 stair rail. The park is open from 8:00am to 10:00pm and is a great place to ride the day away.
Mountain Biking
Need to get your legs moving, and some fresh air? Explore one of three mountain biking trails that will twist and turn throughout the beautiful Grand Haven Area. Create numerous adventures along the way as you discover places like Pigeon Creek County Park, with over 10 miles of trails located in West Olive or experience two different 3-4 miles trail loops at the 1,100-acre Bass River Recreation Area. The south loop is challenging yet fun to ride, while the north loop has many stretches where higher speeds can be attained. Don’t forget you will need to share the trail with hikers and equestrian riders at this location. Hofma Park and Preserve Trail System is another great location for a ride complete with restrooms, picnic areas and a floating bridge, as well as an observation deck along the 4.5 miles of trails.
Prefer a more relaxed ride, visit our bike page for alternative bike paths!
Wind Jamming
Come Jam with Us
Think the Grand Haven-Lake Michigan coastline is beautiful from land? To gain a new perspective, experience the breathtaking coastline, sailing on the blue waters!
The Wind Dancer Schooner is a double gaff-rigged, 63-foot schooner, and departs from Chinook Pier daily offering a variety of sailing experiences. From windjamming sails where you can grab a seat or take the wheel, to corporate outings. Don’t forget to inquire about two hour sunset sails, where the waters will turn orange from the glow of the sun, to begin your evening adventures!
So come, hoist the sails in your next adventure on Lake Michigan! Be sure to call for schedules and advance reservations so you don’t miss this experience.
Geocaching
It's a Treasure Hunt-Let's Go!
Polish up your adventure skills and search for hidden treasure in the Grand Haven Area! Geocaching is a unique experience and with multiple caches close by, can be done right in Grand Haven. To participate, visit the cache website and search our zip code, 49417, grab your GPS device, plug in the coordinates, and away you go! Wondering what a Geocache is? Click here to learn about this fun outdoor adventure sport.
VisitGrandHavenArea now has five geocaches:
On Holiday - GC204FY
Fork in the Bend - GC222Q3
Disney's Inspiration - GC222RK
NOD Above the Rest - GC2A2WQ
NEC - GC2A2WF
Go to the Geocaching webpage and search for these caches for a special treat!
