North Manitou Island Light

The North Manitou Shoal Light stands on a steel structure in Lake Michigan, rising about 79 feet (24 meters) above water with a tower and maintenance building. It sits roughly one mile (1.6 km) offshore from North Manitou Island and serves as an active navigational aid for passing vessels.

This structure was built in 1935 by the United States Lighthouse Service to mark hazardous shoals in the Manitou Passage. It replaced an earlier lightship that had been stationed at the location.

The name comes from the Manitou Islands, which hold spiritual significance in Ojibwe traditions. Visitors can observe how this offshore structure connects to the maritime history of the Great Lakes region.

The structure is visible from the water and operates with solar-powered equipment, making it self-sufficient for navigation purposes. Access is best achieved by boat from the Leland area or from nearby islands in Lake Michigan.

The original four-sided lens system was removed in the early 2000s and now sits in the Cannery Boat Museum in Glen Haven. A modern automated light has taken over its guiding role for vessels passing through the channel.

Location: Michigan

GPS coordinates: 45.06300,-85.96400

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:07