Whether it’s dancing the night away to live music at Put-in-Bay, hiking a trail at Kelleys Island or primitive camping on Middle Bass Island, a Lake Erie island trip is always a shore thing.
With three distinct cultures, each island has its own personality.
Put-in-Bay’s active, coastal town atmosphere is a great stop to let loose in the wild with swim-up pool bars, cavern tours and more. Kelleys Island has a more laid-back recreational vibe for fishermen, bird-watchers and kayakers, while Middle Bass Island offers a 750-acre natural getaway with a 190-slip marina and wildlife refuge.
“Each island has its own flavor,” says Larry Fletcher, president of Lake Erie Shores and Islands. “People like to explore on their own schedules and we see more 20 and 30-somethings on the weekends and more families during the week.”
Visitors can count on several ferries such as the Jet Express high-speed catamaran out of Port Clinton and Sandusky and the Sonny S water taxi as a connector between Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island.
“If you’re a newcomer, take a trip on the Goodtime I cruise boat,” says Fletcher. “It’s more leisurely and great for sight-seeing.”
Beach Towns: How To Make The Most Of The Lake Erie Islands
From Put-In-Bay to Kelleys Island, each island has its own distinct destination personality.
