The Les Cheneaux Islands are located in Michigan's Upper Penninsula, about 20 miles east of the Mackinac Bridge and Straits area. The Islands jut out into Lake Huron, and provide a sheltered area for smaller boats. The islands are a very popular destination, especially in August, when the wooden boat show and festival is held.
 
The Cheneaux (pronounced Che-no's) area is not very populated, so don't expect to find a major chain store there (other than a gas station). The towns of Hessel and Cedarville comprise the "urban" areas of the Cheneaux. One worthwhile stop in Hessel is the Murtaugh Boat Works. This boat dealership has the distinction of being the first Chris Craft dealership in the US.

We stayed at one of the many cottages in the Cheneaux area. The best way to describe the Cheneaux layout is an 8 mile channel between the islands and main land. Our cottage was attached to the mainland, with the islands just across a river sized channel.
 
Although not excessive, this area is a bit "tourist'y" and a bit on the expensive side. After a couple of days, I found that it was a bit boring. However, the we used the Cheneaux area as a home base for exploring Mackinac Island and the Straits area to the West, as well as Drummond Island, Detour Village, Sault Ste. Marie, and the North Channel to the East.
 
We did a lot of boating with our Four Winns Sundowner 225 the week we were in the Cheneaux Islands. We went around Mackinac Island twice - very fun. We encountered 2-3ft waves for several days in this area. The boat did OK, as soon as I "learned" to read the waves. We also took a day trip to Sault Ste. Marie, some 150 miles by water in about 8 hours. We tied up at the Kemp Municipal Marina for several hours, and spent the afternoon wandering aimlessly about in downtown Sault Ste. Marie.

On one of our Mackinac Island adventures, we are approaching Mackinac Island from the East. Here you can see the Arch Rock, a popular natural rock formation.

As you go around the South of Mackinac Island, I need to caution you that this is a major shipping lane. There is a lot of congestion from ferry boats from the mainland as well. Expect a ferry boat to leave or arrive every few minutes in the busy time of the day. All of this boat traffic can be hazardous, as well as making for rough water. One of the most popular spots on the island is the Grand Hotel. This is a turn-of-the-century (1900 era) deluxe class A hotel. The movie "Somewhere in Time" starring Christopher Reeve was filmed here.
 
You can just about forget getting a transient slip at the marina here - at least in July. There are various rules for getting one, but generally, you must put your name on the list, anchor out in the harbor, then wait - up to 4 days. Since this area can whip up a storm real quick, smaller boats should not wait in this area if it looks like bad weather.

One of the many ferry boats on route to Mackinac Island. Your best bet for Mackinac is to transient in either St. Igance (upper penninsula), or Mackinac City (lower penninsula), and take a ferry boat to the island. Of the two, Mackinac City is more busy, and you may have to raft here as well. St. Igance is more laid back, and finding a transient isn't as difficult.

While in the Straits Area and Mackinac Island, try a trip under the Mackinac Bridge. Be warned that the sea conditions here can often be rough, and 2-4 ft waves seem to be the normal minimum height. With 4 ft'ers, I thought this was just a bit too much, and this was about as close as I got to the bridge.

Our other trip was to Sault Ste. Marie. It requires about 22 miles of travel in an easterly direction down the coast of Lake Huron from the Cheneaux area to DeTour passage. As you leave the Cheneaux area, you pass Pomeroy Reef - a reef lighthouse about 4 miles out in Lake Huron.

As you approach DeTour and the St. Mary's river, you come to the DeTour lighthouse. Its then about 50 miles up the St. Mary's river. For the most part, the St. Mary's river is relatively protected waters. However, small craft warnings can be posted here too!

During your trip on the St. Mary's River, you may pass several freighters (we passed 7 of them). This is really the fun part of the trip. The channel on the river is well marked, and even in a small boat, you need to excersize caution when running outside of the channel. Charts are highly recommended.

In many spots the channel is 1,000 ft wide, so you can crank up your boat and get by those freighters. Got to be careful when passing them. The freighters are "in the wild" here, and may be going at their cruising speed. This causes some really wierd currents in the river, as well as a huge wake. The wake really depends on the freighter. Some don't have much of a wake, but others do.

Just remember the "Rule of Tonnage". Even though you may technically have the right-of-way, remember that these freighters "cannot - and will not - get out of the way"! Another way to think of the rule of tonnage is that in the case of a collision, its prudent that the vessel that could end up with the most damage, would do well to keep out of the way - regardless of the right-of-way.
 
When approaching from the rear, do not get too close to the propeller wash. It could swamp a pleasure boat.

When arriving in Sault Ste. Marie (called "the Soo"), you can stay at Kemp Municipal Marina. They are usually not crowded, even in the busiest part of July. Be warned that this area is quite a bit to the north, and it can get cold at night. You can also slip for the afternoon as we did for $5.00. They have gas here too. Adjacent to the marina is a Museum featuring a Lake Michigan freighter. Its worth an afternoon's visit. Sault Ste. Marie, Canada is across the river.

A short distance to the west is the world famous Soo Locks. You can take your own boat through here if you want, but it was a bit intimidating to me - next to those freighters. I took the option of simply watching freighters pass through from shore.

Les Cheneaux Welcome Center

Mackinac Island Marina and Boating Information