Kelleys Island vs Put-in-Bay: Costs & What to Do
Kelleys Island versus Put-in-Bay is quiet versus nightlife: glacial geology, a sandy state park beach, hiking trails and a village of B&Bs, wineries and casual docks-and-decks restaurants.
Book a Kelleys Island stay
The island's B&Bs and lakefront rooms are limited and book up for summer weekends. Compare live rates and lock in your dates early.
Check Kelleys Island pricesGuided tours on Kelleys Island
You do not need your own boat or bike to get the best of Kelleys. Start with the Kayak Treasure Tour, the Glacial Grooves hike-and-bike, or the sunset kayak. Full guides are under tours.
A guided paddle from the Kelleys Island State Park launch along the limestone shoreline, gear and beginner instruction included.
Why we recommend it: The most-reviewed tour on the island and the easiest way onto the water if you did not bring a boat. Calm, first-timer-friendly, and the shoreline geology looks completely different from the lake.
A guided loop through the state parks and preserves, from the Glacial Grooves to the island’s Devonian-era rock, on foot and by bike.
Why we recommend it: The best-value way to have someone who knows the island’s Ice-Age geology explain it, without renting your own bike and guessing at the trails. Active but easygoing.
A two-hour guided paddle timed to sunset; the guide provides equipment and instruction.
Why we recommend it: Kelleys is a sunset island, and seeing it from the water beats the ferry dock. A private booking, so it is just your group and the guide, a good pick for couples and small families.
Things to do
A full day covers the highlights; an overnight adds the sunset and the quiet the day-trippers miss. Here is what each stop costs and how long to budget.
| Attraction | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glacial Grooves State Memorial | Free | 30–45 min | The headline attraction; paved walkway around the grooves |
| Kelleys Island State Park beach | Free (free parking) | 2–4 hr | Sand beach, kayak launches, six miles of trails |
| The village (shops, wineries, Village Pump) | Meals $15–40 | 1–2 hr | Brandy Alexander at the Pump is the island ritual |
| Inscription Rock petroglyphs | Free | 15 min | Quick stop; interpretive sign at the site |
| Shipwreck snorkeling / kayak rental | $25–50 | 1–3 hr | Rent by the dock; calm days only |
| Wine tasting (Kelleys Island Winery) | ~$10 | 45 min | Patio overlooking the lake |
On the water: shipwreck snorkeling, kayaking the limestone shoreline (guided Treasure Tour or DIY rental), and some of the lake's best smallmouth fishing. For the Glacial Grooves with a guide, book the hike-and-bike outing so a guide explains the geology and you don't have to guess.
Kelleys Island vs Put-in-Bay for families
Both islands work for families by day. The difference is what happens after dinner.
| Factor | Kelleys Island | Put-in-Bay |
|---|---|---|
| Noise level (summer weekend) | Quiet after 9pm | Loud downtown until 2am |
| Kid-friendliness (daytime) | High | High |
| Nightlife | Low | High |
| Typical ferry fare (adult RT) | $26 | $18 (Miller) to $41.99 (Jet) |
| Attraction density | Beach, grooves, trails | Caves, monument, carousel, bars |
| Best for | Families, couples, campers | Groups, first-timers, bar weekends |
Getting there
The Kelleys Island Ferry carries passengers and vehicles from Marblehead year-round as ice allows. Fares, the current timetable and dock parking are on our Kelleys Island ferry schedule and prices page. Jet Express adds fast seasonal passenger service. Compare options in the ferry guide, and use the Marblehead and Lakeside guide for the mainland ferry base. Golf carts and bikes rent by the dock, and unlike Put-in-Bay it is practical to bring a car over. The South Passage between Kelleys and Marblehead had a logged waterspout at 11:36 a.m. on September 6, 2026. Ferries still run unless a warning covers that water; small boats should not chase it.
In the fall the Marblehead boat still leaves every hour from 7 am. From September 28 to October 25 the last boat off the island is 5:30 pm Monday to Wednesday, 7:30 pm Thursday, 9:30 pm Friday and Saturday, and 8:30 pm Sunday; adults pay $13 each way. The island holds a Kids Halloween Weekend October 16–18 and an Adult Halloween Weekend October 23–25, and the Casino closes the season with fireworks on October 31. Those dates, plus Put-in-Bay's Oktoberfest and the last Jet Express trips, are in our October guide to the Lake Erie islands.
Where to stay
Kelleys lodging is limited and personal (no chains, just B&Bs, cottages and a state-park campground), so it books up fast for summer weekends. It sorts into three types.
B&Bs & inns
Cottages & vacation rentals
The island's houses, condos and cottages are the pick for families and groups who want a kitchen and room to spread out. Most start around $200 a night, with whole houses higher, and they cluster near the village and along the lakeshore. You'll find them on the usual rental platforms, and booking direct through the island's own rental sites can skip the service fees. Roughly 18 island rentals are pet-friendly, so the dog can come; just confirm the policy when you book.
State-park camping
The Kelleys Island State Park campground has 129 wooded sites (84 electric, 45 non-electric), plus two furnished yurts with kitchenettes and two Rent-A-Camp units, all booked through ReserveOhio up to six months ahead. It fills between Memorial Day and Labor Day and runs a waitlist most of the summer, so reserve early. Compare other sites in the Lake Erie camping guide. For the full regional picture see where to stay on Lake Erie.
Kelleys Island FAQ
Is Kelleys Island worth a day trip?
Yes, and a day covers the highlights: ferry over from Marblehead in the morning, see the Glacial Grooves (DIY walk or guided hike-and-bike), swim at the state park beach, lunch in the village, ferry back before dinner. Add a kayak Treasure Tour if you want the shoreline from the water. Overnight adds the sunsets the day-trippers miss.
How do you get to Kelleys Island?
The Kelleys Island Ferry runs from Marblehead year-round as ice allows and carries vehicles; the crossing is about 20 minutes. Jet Express adds fast summer-only passenger service from Sandusky and Put-in-Bay (it ended September 7 in 2026).
Should I bring a car to Kelleys Island?
You can, and unlike Put-in-Bay it is practical: the ferry carries vehicles and the island has room. Most day visitors still rent a golf cart or bike by the dock instead; the island is about four square miles.
Kelleys Island or Put-in-Bay: which should we pick?
Put-in-Bay is the livelier island: bars, live music, resorts, attractions. Kelleys is the quieter, greener one: beach, trails, geology, B&Bs. Families and nature-first trips lean Kelleys; groups after nightlife lean Put-in-Bay. With two days, do both; the islands guide has the classic loop.
Where should I stay on Kelleys Island?
Three choices, all limited: waterfront B&Bs and inns near the village for a couples or grown-up trip; cottages and whole-house rentals (from around $200 a night) for families and groups who want a kitchen and space; or the state-park campground for tent, RV or yurt camping. There are no chain hotels on the island, and rooms are few, so book well ahead for any summer weekend.
Can you camp on Kelleys Island, and how do you book?
Yes. Kelleys Island State Park has a 129-site wooded campground (84 electric and 45 non-electric sites) plus two furnished yurts with kitchenettes and two Rent-A-Camp units. Reserve through ReserveOhio up to six months in advance; the campground fills between Memorial Day and Labor Day and keeps a waitlist most of the summer, so book as early as you can.
Are there pet-friendly places to stay on Kelleys Island?
Yes. Around 18 of the island’s cottage and house rentals allow pets, and the state-park campground lets you bring the dog too. Options are limited and often carry a pet fee, so filter for pet-friendly and confirm the policy directly before booking.