Sunset Cruise West Grand Traverse Bay: Double-Decker Boat Tour

The boat has two full decks, so you pick whether to stay warm inside or stand in the fresh lake breeze.

A sunset cruise on West Grand Traverse Bay near Traverse City aboard The Discovery, a double-decker tour boat that motors along the shoreline as the sun sets behind the Leelanau Peninsula. The boat operates in nearly all weather conditions, with flexible seating—indoors behind panoramic windows or outside on the bow and patio—so you choose comfort or open air. Locally sourced beverages and snacks are available for purchase onboard; the full cruise runs 90 minutes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sunset cruise on West Grand Traverse Bay

• Board The Discovery boat
• Choose indoor or outdoor seating
• Cruise along West Grand Traverse Bay shoreline
• Enjoy sunset views behind Leelanau Peninsula
• Purchase snacks and drinks onboard
• Disembark after 90-minute cruise

The Experience

What makes this different from a standard tour boat is the layout: The Discovery is the only double-decker on West Grand Traverse Bay, which means you're not locked into one seating choice for the whole evening. Head inside to the panoramic windows if the wind picks up, or stay outside on the bow or patio when the light is right. The crew knows the shoreline and the timing—they motor slowly enough that you can actually watch the sky change color behind the hills instead of rushing through it.

The boat leaves from Traverse City and follows the West Grand Traverse Bay shoreline for 90 minutes. Because it's built to handle almost any weather, the sunset happens whether the day was clear or cloudy; that's the phrase they use—"it's always sunny on The Discovery." If you want to eat or drink during the cruise, the onboard bar stocks locally sourced options you can buy as you go, so you're not committed to a package deal or locked into a set menu.

Timing matters here: a sunset cruise only works if you're there when the light is actually changing, so the departure time shifts with the season. Bring a layer even in summer—being on the water at dusk means the temperature drops faster than it does on land, and the breeze off the bay is real. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and infants can ride in a pram or stroller; service animals are welcome.

What’s included

• A 90-minute cruise around West Grand Traverse Bay aboard The Discovery, the only double-decker tour boat on the bay.
• flexible seating indoors with panoramic windows or outside on the bow and patio.
• a knowledgeable crew.
• locally sourced beverages and snacks available for purchase at the onboard bar.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomeInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Discovery Cruises

Is this one for you?Join other travelers on the only double-deck boat in the bay, so you can move between sheltered indoor seating and open-air decks depending on weather and preference—departure syncs with sunset, not your schedule.

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Top questions

What's the difference between sitting inside and outside on The Discovery?

The inside seating has panoramic windows so you can watch the sunset without wind or spray; the outside areas—the bow and patio—give you open air and an unobstructed view of the sky and water. You can move between them during the cruise, so you're not locked into one choice.

Does the sunset cruise run if the weather is bad?

The Discovery is built to cruise in almost any weather condition, so rain or clouds won't cancel it. The boat still motors the shoreline and the crew still knows the route; the light will change even if the sky is overcast.

How long is the cruise, and when does it leave?

The cruise runs 90 minutes. Departure times shift with the season because the sunset time changes, so check the booking for the exact time on your date.

What food and drinks are available on the boat?

Locally sourced beverages and snacks are available for purchase at the onboard bar. There's no included meal, so you buy what you want as you go.

Is The Discovery accessible for wheelchairs or strollers?

Yes, the boat is wheelchair accessible and infants can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed onboard.