Great Lakes

It’s early morning on Lake Superior, and the water is as smooth as blown glass. A soft, pearly mist floats across the surface, blurring the line between lake and sky. A pair of loons call in the distance; long, echoing notes that seem to vibrate in the cool air. 

I’m standing on the bow of a 200-guest small-ship, with a hot drink in hand, watching as we slip quietly past red sandstone cliffs. In many ways, this feels like river cruising, calm waters, close-up landscapes, and intimate moments you’d never experience on the open ocean. Yet the scale of the Great Lakes still astonishes me: five vast inland seas connected by channels and locks, each with its own character and history.

As we ease toward our morning anchorage at the edge of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, sunlight begins to break through the haze, illuminating streaks of emerald, gold, and rust along the cliff walls. A bald eagle lifts from a pine branch, circling above as we prepare to head ashore. The Great Lakes may be bordered by some of North America’s largest cities, but out here, surrounded by quiet forests, tiny Islands and intricate shorelines, and clear freshwater makes the daily grind feel worlds away.

The primary sailing season runs from May to September, with the warmest weather typically in July and August. Temperatures vary dramatically across the lakes, influenced by wind, elevation, and proximity to open water.

Early season brings cooler air, fresh greenery, and migrating birds. Summer offers ideal conditions for kayaking, hiking, and Zodiac cruising. By September, the forests ignite into reds and golds, a spectacular finale before the region settles into winter.

As with all expedition travel, daily activities are determined in real time by the Guides or Expedition Leader, who considers weather, wind, and water conditions.

Several small-ship and expedition operators now explore the Great Lakes, offering journeys that feel wonderfully similar to river cruising: smooth waters, easy landings, and culturally rich ports day after day. However, not all expedition ships can visit. Size and draft restrictions limit access, especially in narrower channels and through the lock systems. Only vessels built within specific dimensions can navigate the St. Lawrence Seaway, meaning accurate expedition ships with deep drafts are less common here.

Those that do operate offer Zodiac cruising, guided hikes, cultural visits, kayaking, and naturalist-led excursions, though regulations vary by region, just as they do in Alaska.

Expect itineraries that combine wilderness with charming towns such as Mackinac Island, Duluth, Tobermory, and Charlevoix. Some trips extend into the St. Lawrence River, allowing travellers to experience both coastal and inland ecosystems in one seamless journey.

A small-ship cruise on the Great Lakes opens the door to a wide range of immersive activities that bring the region’s landscapes, culture, and wildlife to life. Guests can explore rugged shorelines by Zodiac, kayak through calm, river-like waters, and hike forested trails on remote islands such as Isle Royale or in the Georgian Bay archipelago. Charming port towns offer opportunities for cultural tours, lighthouse visits, local food tastings, and Indigenous-led experiences. Wildlife watching, from bald eagles to otters and double-crested cormorants, is abundant, while scenic cruising along dramatic cliffs, dunes, and island chains provides a relaxed and intimate way to experience North America’s inland seas.

Many years ago, I spent months researching the Great Lakes as a travel destination to promote alongside Alaska. And one area where it differed from typical expedition cruises was the incredible human story. The Great Lakes story is vast and layered with Indigenous heritage, early exploration, trade routes, and industrial transformation. During evening lectures, our historian now shares how the Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, and other First Nations peoples have lived along these lakes for thousands of years, relying on their abundance and treating them with deep spiritual respect.

European explorers arrived in the 1600s, charting routes that would eventually become critical corridors for fur trading, timber transport, and settlement. Some of the earliest inland expeditions in North America passed through these waterways, long before railroads or highways existed.

Sailing into ports like Sault Ste. Marie or Duluth today, it’s easy to imagine the era when schooners, steamships, and canoes filled the harbours. Many towns still bear the imprint of that history: old lighthouses standing guard on remote headlands, iron ore docks towering above the shoreline, preserved Victorian districts that hint at the wealth these lakes once generated.

On Manitoulin Island, the largest freshwater island on Earth, you can visit communities where Indigenous culture continues to thrive. Storytelling, art, and local cuisine paint a vivid picture of a region where past and present remain closely intertwined.

And then there are the shipwrecks. The Great Lakes are famous for them, with more than 6,000 resting beneath the surface. On clear days, I have heard from guides that, if you peer down from the Zodiac or tender boats, you can see the ghostly outlines of wooden hulls lying just meters below.

Travelling through the Great Lakes highlights just how fragile and vital these freshwater ecosystems are. With 20% of the world’s surface freshwater held within these lakes, sustainability isn’t just a principle here; it’s a responsibility. As you explore by small ship, your expedition team may share how climate, industry, and invasive species have shaped the region, much like the educational talks offered on other expedition voyages.

I’m struck by how interconnected everything is. On shore excursions, you may see coastal restoration projects where native grasses are being replanted to stabilise dunes and prevent erosion. In ports, local guides explain community-led efforts to protect watersheds, reduce runoff, and restore fish habitats. Even simple acts, like thoroughly cleaning gear between island visits, help prevent the spread of invasive species that have challenged these lakes for decades.

Onboard, practices echo those I’ve seen on other responsible expedition journeys: minimising single-use plastics, supporting local suppliers, and choosing routes that limit fuel consumption. The calm, river-like nature of the waterways naturally lends itself to gentler travel, and small ships leave a lighter footprint than larger commercial vessels, or even expedition ships pushing through heavy swells in the Arctic or Antarctica. Many operators also collaborate with researchers, contributing observations and water-quality data during the voyage, an easy yet meaningful way to support ongoing conservation efforts.

For travellers, eco-friendly exploration here means being mindful: staying on marked trails, respecting wildlife viewing distances, learning from Indigenous communities who have cared for this region for millennia, and choosing operators committed to sustainability. Just as in Alaska, travelling thoughtfully not only protects the environment but deepens the entire experience.

An example of active discovery offered by small-ship visitors ia a look into vital science behind the Great Lakes at the LSSU Center for Freshwater Research & Education, a dockside facility dedicated to understanding and protecting North America’s largest freshwater system. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits on fisheries management, aquaculture, invasive species, and ecosystem health, all supported by a cutting-edge water quality laboratory. Designed for curious travelers, the center offers an engaging look at how researchers safeguard these waters for future generations. This enriching experience is featured on many voyages between Chicago, Toronto, Milwaukee, and Montréal, providing a meaningful connection to the region’s natural heritage.