Freedom Boat Club of Michiana
Dockside
Welcome aboard! You found your on‑the‑water hub for club news, dock‑and‑dine spots, weather, and local tips — wherever you boat with us.
On the dock this summer
Club News
Boat Trip Bucks
$1 per trip. Matched by the club. Big win for the lake.
We've partnered with the Alliance for the Great Lakes to raise $7,500 this season. Opt in and every reservation you take from Memorial Day through Labor Day adds $1 — and the club matches every dollar. You'll get one simple summary invoice in September.
Want to do more? Join us for a beach cleanup June 24, 10 AM–12 PM ET at Jean Klock Park in Benton Harbor — family and friends welcome.
Share the Freedom!
Refer a friend in July and earn DOUBLE referral credits.
You already know the best part of your summer — now share it. For the month of July, when someone you refer joins the club, you'll earn 2× the member referral credit. Same easy referral, twice the thank‑you.
Have someone in mind? Bring them out on your next trip, then tell your Membership Executive or the dock team — we'll take it from there.
9 docks • 2 states • 1 membership
Choose Your Dock
Tap your location for directions, dock‑and‑dine spots, weather, and local intel. We'll remember your pick for next time.
Michigan
Indiana
Lake Macatawa → Lake Michigan
Holland — Yacht Basin
Yacht Basin Marina • 1866 Ottawa Beach Rd, Holland, MI 49424
⚓ Dock & Dine
- Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant — cruise straight across Lake Mac and tie up at their lakeside slips (room for 15+ boats). Patio dining at its finest.
- Ottawa Beach area — anchor out near the state park side and picnic on board with Big Red in view.
☀ While You're Out
- Big Red Lighthouse — Holland's icon sits right at the channel to Lake Michigan. Best photo op in the fleet.
- Holland State Park Beach — sugar-sand swimming just outside the channel.
- Marina perks — pool, ship's store, and playground right at Yacht Basin.
Dock tip: The channel out to Lake Michigan is no‑wake — take it slow past Big Red and enjoy the view. Evening cruises on Lake Mac put the sunset dead ahead.
Lake Macatawa → Lake Michigan
Holland — Boatwerks
Boatwerks Waterfront • 216 Van Raalte Ave, Holland, MI 49423
⚓ Dock & Dine
- Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant — your dock IS the restaurant. Walk off the boat and onto the patio. Arrive hungry, leave happy.
- Cruise west — run the length of Lake Mac to Ottawa Beach and anchor near the sand for a swim before dinner.
☀ While You're Out
- Downtown Holland — 8th Street's shops, cafes, and famous heated sidewalks are a short stroll from the dock.
- Kollen Park — waterfront green space right next door.
- Big Red Lighthouse — a classic run to the west end of the lake.
Dock tip: Summer weekends fill the Boatwerks patio fast — earlier lunch runs (or a sunset dinner cruise back) beat the rush.
Gun Lake • All‑Sports Inland Water
Gun Lake
Gun Lake Marina • 2422 Patterson Rd, Shelbyville, MI 49344
⚓ Dock & Dine
- Bay Pointe Bar & Grille — dock-and-dine on the south shore. Lakefront patio, live music nights, and an award-winning kitchen.
- The sandbar — Gun Lake's famous shallow hangout. Drop anchor, wade in, and make friends.
☀ While You're Out
- Yankee Springs Recreation Area — 5,200 acres of beaches and trails wrapping the lake.
- Gun Lake Casino & Resort — ten minutes from the marina for dinner-and-a-show nights off the water.
- Twin lobes — two distinct basins to explore; calm coves on one side, open water on the other.
Dock tip: Mornings here are glass — perfect for watersports. Save the slow cruise and sandbar stop for the afternoon.
Kalamazoo Lake & River → Lake Michigan
Saugatuck
Safe Harbor Tower Marine • 216 St. Peters Dr, Douglas, MI 49406
⚓ Dock & Dine
- Coral Gables — Saugatuck's legendary waterfront complex with ample boater docking, decks, and the best lake perch around.
- Red Dock Bar — the famous boat-up bar right at Tower Marine. Live music, cold drinks, zero pretension.
☀ While You're Out
- Oval Beach — routinely ranked among the best beaches in the Midwest.
- Saugatuck Chain Ferry — the hand-cranked classic crossing the river since 1838.
- Downtown galleries & shops — the art-town stroll, steps from the water.
Dock tip: The river channel to the big lake is slow and scenic — build in time. Mount Baldhead's stairs (302 of them) earn you the best view in town.
Black River → Lake Michigan
South Haven
Black River Park Marina • 123 Dunkley Ave, South Haven, MI 49090
⚓ Dock & Dine
- Captain Lou's — dockside burgers, tacos, and live bands right on the Black River by the drawbridge. A South Haven institution.
- The Idler Riverboat — drinks and dinner aboard a moored riverboat. Pure summer.
☀ While You're Out
- South Haven Lighthouse & Pier — the postcard shot on your way out the channel.
- North Beach — wide, sandy, and family-friendly.
- Michigan Maritime Museum — right on the river; wave to the tall ship Friends Good Will if she's out sailing.
Dock tip: Watch for the Dyckman Avenue drawbridge schedule on busy weekends — and give the tall ship plenty of room in the channel.
St. Joseph River → Lake Michigan
St. Joseph
Anchors Way Marina • 143 Anchors Way, St. Joseph, MI 49085
⚓ Dock & Dine
- On the River Tavern — true dock-and-dine on the St. Joe River. Riverside patio, pub classics, live music.
- Plank's Tavern on the Water — waterfront dining at The Inn at Harbor Shores, slips right outside.
☀ While You're Out
- Silver Beach — and the antique Silver Beach Carousel for the kids.
- Twin piers & lighthouses — St. Joe's famous pair guarding the channel.
- Downtown bluff — shops, scoops, and sunset views over the lake.
Dock tip: Current picks up near the pier heads where the river meets the lake — hands on the wheel, then enjoy the smoothest sunset run in southwest Michigan.
Lake Michigan • Indiana Dunes
Portage
Marina Shores at Dune Harbor • 5987 S Dune Harbor Dr, Portage, IN 46368
⚓ Dock & Dine
- Marina Shores Yacht Club — waterfront food, drinks, and live music right at your home dock. No cruise required (but take one anyway).
- Day trip east — run the shoreline to Michigan City's harbor and tie up near Matey's tiki decks on Trail Creek.
☀ While You're Out
- Chicago skyline sunsets — on clear evenings the skyline floats on the horizon. The signature Portage run.
- Indiana Dunes National Park — beaches and dunes stretching east of the harbor.
- Portage Lakefront & Riverwalk — pavilion and beach right next door.
Dock tip: Lake Michigan is big water — check the nearshore forecast before heading out, and you'll be rewarded with the best skyline view in Indiana.
Trail Creek → Lake Michigan
Michigan City
B&E Marine • 31 Lake Shore Dr, Michigan City, IN 46360
⚓ Dock & Dine
- Matey's Bar & Restaurant — three levels of tiki decks on Trail Creek by the Franklin Street bridge. Caribbean menu, boater crowd.
- Shoreline Brewery — award-winning craft beer a short walk from the creek.
☀ While You're Out
- Michigan City Lighthouse & Pier — the historic East Pierhead light marks your channel home.
- Washington Park Beach — sand, zoo, and summer concerts right at the harbor.
- Blue Chip Casino — five minutes away for an evening ashore.
Dock tip: Trail Creek is strictly no‑wake — idle in, idle out. It's the prettiest slow cruise in town anyway.
St. Joseph River • 15 Navigable Miles
Mishawaka
Wyland's Marine • 13100 E Jefferson Blvd, Mishawaka, IN 46545
⚓ Eat & Drink
- Pack a cooler — this stretch of river is picnic-cruise country. Calm water, shady banks, and plenty of quiet spots to drift and dine on board.
- Near the marina — Sun King Brewery and downtown Mishawaka's restaurant row are minutes away before or after your trip.
☀ While You're Out
- Best fishing in the fleet — bluegill, pike, and bass on a quiet river. Grab Get Hooked and go.
- Cruise toward Elkhart — 15 scenic miles of river, herons and deer included.
- Sunset pontoon nights — glass-calm evenings made for a slow loop.
Dock tip: The gentle current makes this the perfect place to build boat-handling confidence — new members, this river is your friend.
Two minutes well spent
Quick Dock Checklist
Before You Cast Off
- Life jackets for every passenger — kids in theirs, always
- Check the weather one more time (button above!)
- Walk the boat: lines, fenders, fuel, kill switch lanyard
- Tell the dock team your float plan — where and when
Heading Back In
- Idle speed in all no‑wake zones — wakes are on you
- Gather your gear, trash, and coolers
- Note anything that needs attention — we'll handle it
- Tell us about your trip! We love the photos
Need a Hand at the Dock?
Questions, reservations, or a referral to brag about — the crew is one call away.
Freedom Boat Club of Michiana • Boating just got simple.