Boating on Lake Erie
The island archipelago, protected harbors and short crossings make the Western Basin one of the best cruising grounds on the Great Lakes. Here is where to splash the boat.
Public launch ramps
| Ramp | Location | Notes | Nearest lodging |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catawba Island State Park | Off W. Catawba Rd, 8 mi NE of Port Clinton | Closest mainland ramp to Put-in-Bay | Cedarlane Campground, Catawba hotels |
| West Harbor Public Ramp | 1955 NE Catawba Rd | Protected harbor launch | Erie Island Resort, Catawba lodging |
| Portage River accesses | Little Portage (Darr-Hopfinger Rd) & Rt 163 | River access west of Port Clinton | Port Clinton waterfront hotels |
| Mazurik Boat Launch | North Shore Blvd, E of Marblehead off Rt 163 | Big-lake access on the peninsula’s north shore | East Harbor State Park campground |
| Dempsey Access | Bayshore Rd at Hartshorn Rd, Marblehead | Sandusky Bay side | Marina del Isle, Peninsula RV Park |
| East Harbor State Park | Off Rt 163 near Rt 269 | Ramp plus the region’s largest campground | On-site (500+ sites) |
| Put-in-Bay Village Ramp | Downtown Put-in-Bay | Island launch on South Bass | Island hotels & cottages |
| South Bass Island State Park | SW shore, Put-in-Bay | Island ramp near the Miller dock | State park campground (cliff-top sites) |
Marinas & transient dockage
East Harbor is also a large overnight base; compare sites in our Lake Erie camping guide. For the lighthouse and the Kelleys ferry dock nearby, see Marblehead and Lakeside.
Western Basin marinas cluster in West Harbor, the Portage River, Catawba and Put-in-Bay harbor, most with transient slips in season. Put-in-Bay's downtown docks and mooring balls fill fast on summer weekends; arrive early or reserve where possible. If you plan to walk on instead, compare routes in the island ferry guide.
Before you shove off, check the Put-in-Bay webcam for live harbor chop and boat traffic.
No boat? Charter one
Sailing charters run out of Sandusky, Port Clinton and Marblehead, and the region's walleye fleet will put you on fish; see the fishing guide. For a bookable private sunset sail past Cedar Point without captaining yourself, see the Black Pearl sunset sail.
Get on the water without a boat
If you did not trailer your own boat, the easiest way onto Lake Erie is a private sunset sail out of Sandusky that runs the island passage past Cedar Point and the Marblehead Light.
A private two-hour sunset sail that passes Cedar Point from the water, the Marblehead Lighthouse and the Lake Erie Islands. You’re welcome to bring your own drinks.
Why we recommend it: A quieter evening after a day on the coasters or the bar strip, with the same skyline seen from the calm side of the rail. It’s the whole boat for your group, so it splits well across a family or a couple of couples.
Sleep near the Catawba ramps
Closest mainland beds to the Miller Ferry and island day trips.
Check Port Clinton / Catawba hotelsLake Erie boating FAQ
Where can I launch a boat near Put-in-Bay?
The closest mainland ramp to Put-in-Bay is Catawba Island State Park, about 8 miles northeast of Port Clinton. Other public ramps include West Harbor, the Portage River accesses, Mazurik and Dempsey near Marblehead, and East Harbor State Park; the islands have village ramps at Put-in-Bay and South Bass Island State Park.
Is it safe to take a small boat to the Lake Erie Islands?
On a calm day the crossings are short and the harbors protected, but Lake Erie is the shallowest Great Lake and builds a steep, dangerous chop very fast when the wind picks up. Check the National Weather Service nearshore forecast for zone LEZ143 (Reno Beach to The Islands) before every crossing, including wave height as well as wind; if you are not confident, take a ferry or a charter instead.
Can I get transient dockage at Put-in-Bay?
Yes. Put-in-Bay’s downtown docks, mooring balls and area marinas offer transient slips in season, but they fill fast on summer weekends. Reserve where you can and arrive early; the state-park marinas at South Bass and Middle Bass are quieter alternatives.