South Haven is located in the lower part of Lake Michigan - with a latitude just a bit north of Chicago (except it is on the eastern side of the lake). For this reason, it's a popular first stop for boaters departing from Chicago and Northern Indiana. Consequently, on the weekends it can be quite congested.
 
Still, South Haven has a lot to offer to the transient boater - including a downtown area within walking distance where you can get something to eat, shop for groceries, take in a movie, and even spend a night at an Inn.
 
South Haven is about 50 miles south of our home port of Grand Haven, along Michigan's west coast. The location of this port makes for a nice weekend trip.

As you arrive in South Haven, you pass the lighthouse on the south side of the channel. Like many lighthouses in Michigan, this one had an elevated catwalk so the lighthouse keeper could get to the tower in bad weather.

Just east of the entry channel is one of three municipal marinas. The South Haven Municipal Marina is located on the south side of the channel is the first one you will encounter, and is dedicated to the transient boater. The other municipal marinas rent seasonal slips, so there is not much left for transient use. Just as well, because this marina has the most modern conveniences of the three.

We stayed here on a Sunday night in early June - so we did not have any problem in obtaining a slip. Later in the season there is a lot of pressure for slips, and reservations are recommended.

South Haven is known for its beautiful sunsets - and this one is no exception. Could it be the waining sunlight filtering through the pollution from Chicago that makes these sunsets so picturesque.