Sturgeon Bay / Door County boating scene

[WiskyDan]

We want to plan a trip next summer where we trailer the boat up to Sturgeon Bay and then explore the Bayside and Lakeside beach/cove areas but we're not all that familiar with the area from a boating perspective.

We use the in/out service at Skipper Buds in Oshkosh and there are two Skipper Buds marinas in Sturgeon Bay that offer transient slips. The SB's Harbor Club Marina is adjacent to the Bridgeport Waterfront Resort so that would be pretty convenient. The SB's Quarterdeck Marina is a bit further east and it looks like they have more available parking for my truck/trailer but we will have to gather more information.

I have some questions for those of you that are familiar with the boating scene in Door County:

• Any suggestions on marinas with transient slips other than SB's?
• Any suggestions on lodging close to the channel?
• Any favorite spots to anchor and swim/relax where the water is relatively shallow?
• Any suggestions on coves or beaches on the bayside or lakeside?
• Are there rules for how close to a beach you can anchor?
• Any general feedback about the Sturgeon Bay / Door County boating scene?

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Following….

This sounds fun! Of course I’d probably want to go fish for Salmon whilst you guys lounge blissfully in the bay.

 

[WiskyDan]

The main thing that concerns me is the wind - I saw your photos of the lake side and that was a bit rough.

Then again, my four wind apps (@drewkaree) are showing light and variable winds for the “extended” forecast the weekend of July 19th…….

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

The main thing that concerns me is the wind - I saw your photos of the lake side and that was a bit rough.

Then again, my four wind apps (@drewkaree) are showing light and variable winds for the “extended” forecast the weekend of July 19th…….

Yes it was but I was on Lake Michigan and not in the bay … I’d think it would be a bit calmer in the bay?

 

[drewkaree]

The main thing that concerns me is the wind - I saw your photos of the lake side and that was a bit rough.

Then again, my four wind apps (@drewkaree) are showing light and variable winds for the “extended” forecast the weekend of July 19th…….

Was that a paper copy of the Farmer's Almanac you had stowed in your boat glove box?

@Cleveland Steamer may have some recon, it's been quite a while since I visited the area for anything other than work purposes (too many FIB's & FISHTAB's).

Following

 

[WiskyDan]

Was that a paper copy of the Farmer's Almanac you had stowed in your boat glove box?

@Cleveland Steamer may have some recon, it's been quite a while since I visited the area for anything other than work purposes (too many FIB's & FISHTAB's).

Following

I re-checked the copy of Farmers Almanac in my glove box and discovered that it was from 1978 so the forecast for the weekend of July 19th may not be correct.......

 

[WiskyDan]

Yes it was but I was on Lake Michigan and not in the bay … I’d think it would be a bit calmer in the bay?

I think it all depends on the wind. We were up in Fish Creek (bayside) a couple years ago and the wind was whipping out of the west - the wave action was nasty.

On a side note, the Door County Cherry Stuffed French Toast at the White Gull Inn in Fish Creek won Good Morning America's "Best Breakfast Challenge" back in 2010. My GF says it's the best breakfast dish she's ever had and we drove 3 hours that windy day just to eat it.

 

[TheEagleHasLanded]

Hey Dan. With the caveat that I'm not getting a boat until this coming year, but qualifying as a long time Door County resident, here are my thoughts.

With your start/end point in Sturgeon Bay, you're perfectly positioned to sail a multi day loop around Door County. From Sturgeon Bay you can go clockwise or counter-clockwise. Let me suggest these stops in counter-clockwise direction.

From Sturgeon Bay, head east through the canal to Lake Michigan, then north up to Bailey's Harbor. This can be your first stop, with the Marina offering transient slips starting in April. Nice little town with contemporary restaurants (check out Chives). If you're into nature, visit The Ridges preserve a short walk from the marina.

Washington Island should be your next stop, at Shipyard Island Marina. At the marina you can rent bikes and/or scooters to see the island.

A must-see there is Rock Island, a small island adjacent to Washington that is a Wisconsin state park. Dock your boat at the impressive stone boat house built a hundred-plus years ago by masons from Scandinavia. Docking is free during daytime, but there is a nightly fee of $1 per foot of boat length for all boats mooring overnight at Rock Island State Park. Dock space is limited and cannot be reserved. Be sure to hike to the lighthouse - well worth the trip!

Your next stop should be through Death's Door passageway and Green Bay to Sister Bay Marina on the west side of the peninsula. Lots of lodging here, and the town is very lively - lots of restaurants/bars/etc. Sister Bay Marina starts accepting transient reservations for 2025 on Jan 1. It's highly popular from Memorial Day through the fall, so reserve early.

From Sister Bay, additional stops can include Ephraim, Fish Creek (sounds like you've been there), Egg Harbor, and then back to Sturgeon Bay to complete the loop!

 

[WiskyDan]

Wow, that’s a great reply and the loop is a great idea - thank you!!

My only concern with this is the weather/wind. We took the ferry to Washington Island a couple years back and they don’t call it the water at the tip of the peninsula Deaths Door for nothing. The wave action was pretty wicked and even the ferry was getting bounced. If we could book this on short notice (when the weather looks like it would cooperate) we would be golden but it sounds like the transient slips at some of those marinas fill up fast.

This gives me and the admiral quite a bit to chew on - thanks again!!