Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry

Terrific ferry service. Lots of routes to provide island visitors with many convenient options.
The staff is friendly, professional and dedicated to the safety and comfort of their passengers.
I want to give a shout out to the ticketing staff at St Ignace… I had a problem with my ticketing that was entirely fault. The ticketing staff listens to my sob story and (in this day and age of so much corporate indifference) promptly helped fix my problem. So many thanks for helping our Mackinac experience so much more memorable.

Fast (about 20 min from St. Ignace to Mackinaw Island), reasonably priced, clean, and very professional service — we had luggage with us which made it to our hotel in the same time as us (and back), in the same time it took us to walk from the boat to the hotel. There is also a small plaza on the dock area on the St. Ignace side and of course, free parking nearby. We had a great experience with the Star Line ferry line.

Had no clue which ferry company to pick. We’ve only used this one but had no complaints and would use it again. We took the ferry over to the Island and then used it again that night for a Sunset Cruise.
First the ferry trip. Several times per day they have special times that the ferry goes under the bridge, weather permitting. This was fantastic and both sides get to see good views of the bridge.
Now, the sunset cruise. The sunser cruise was great — it went under the Mackinac Bridge just as the sun was setting and the guide/​nararator was a journalist who had written a book about the bridge. He had fantastic stories to tell about the making of the bridge, the several deaths/​births that had taken place on the bridge and other fantastic stories.
There are snack and beverages available from a card table and cooler. We were told we could BYOB and I did but didn’t drink it — it seemed weird and no one else was doing it. The top deck (third floor?) was couples, families and children. Didn’t seem to be the place to be drinking a beer. Plus, you get cruising on some parts of the tour and it seemed like something might spill. If I were to drink anything it would be a bottle of water or soda with a screw on cap. Bring a warm jacket — it gets cold at night, even in July!
Main advice is to pick a ferry and hotel in the same city (Mack City vs. St. Ingace) because the bridge has a $ 4 toll. After we had visited the Island all day, we wanted to take a shower at the hotel before returning to the cruise, leaving from St. Ignace. We ended up spending three times as much because we were going back and forth.

Fast, cheap and runs on time.
Great views from the upper decks if you are into that sort of thing. Multiple departures and arrivals (coincidence? I think not) every day.
Star line is great.

We were pleasantly surprised to find that at certain times they take you under & around the mighty Mac! Our kids (and us) loved the experience! The boat is fast, clean & the staff very friendly! They have some coupons on their website & offer packages at the ticket counter. m; which saved us over $ 40 for a family of four

They didn’t call this a hydro-​jet for no reason. It is super fast compared to the other ferries that bring you to the island. Gives a great discount online. If you’re planning on going under the bridge, be sure to check their schedule as they only have selected times that they will underneath the bridge.
It’s pretty cool to see the back of the ferry. The water flares up pretty high and you could see a pretty rainbow.

We parked in time to make the12 PM ferry. Ticket guy took his sweet time. As I turned around, they cast off and left. Ticket taker said «Sorry, I don’t run it.» Told us next ferry ½ hour. Ferry came, left without taking on passengers. Waited another ½ hour. Terrible customer service, rough ride on a fairly calm day. Back to Shepler’s next time!

We had a wonderful time on Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry! I took my 3 & 4 year old daughters there on 7÷5÷15 and they are still talking about the experience!
We were able to purchase tickets the day of online (the girls were free because of their age) and that saved me a couple of dollars. We were able to find the dock easily and were directed where to park, which was right near the building and free. The woman at the counter inside was very sweet and she have the girls each their own picture card. I also noticed the facility was clean and had some gift shops.
On the way there we decided to sit upstairs (don’t know if this is the right term). The staff directed me where I could put my stroller and we went up. The staff was interactive with my girls. During the ride over I felt safe with my girls.
We took the last ferry of the night, the La Salle, back to St. Ignace, again, everyone was very friendly. We decided to sit downstairs where it would be warmer. The deckhand (I cannot remember her name) was incredible. She was explaining to my girls what she was doing outside on the deck, and we both were telling them how things had to be done to be safe. When we got back to shore my girls gave her a big hug, very sweet!
I highly recommend Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry and will be using them for future trips when we are up there to vacation.

We have yet to get on the actual ferry and the employees so far have given us a 5 star treatment. We got here a little close to the last ferry departure time and happened to see two gentlemen driving a golf cart over to drop off some equipment while we were collecting our luggage from our car in the overnight parking lot. They offered to give us a ride across the street and helped us figure out where we needed to get our tickets, where to tag our bags, and how to make sure our bags made it to our hotel from the dock. If the rest of the trip is this smooth, I’ll be happy!

Had purchased the ticket, made me park 3 blocks away. When went to get on the boat, was told it was full and would have to wait an hour. Luckily I was able to get a refund and get onto sheplers, which was much better and quicker!

We had bought the Island Experience package (the best deal if you’re going to the Island, if you ask me) and cashing in our voucher for tickets was pretty simple and quick here at Star Line. Our ferry left right on time, the view under the bridge was great for pictures and really exciting for my toddler (only certain departures do this — highlighted in blue on their schedule — no extra cost), and the trip was quick.
I’d give it five stars, but one of the staff members was pretty unprofessional and hit on me pretty bluntly in front of my two year old and his father. While it’s nice to know I still got it, at work is probably not the best place to practice your swag. All the other staff members were professional and nice.

On a recent trip through the UP we had to check out Mackinaw Island so we were recommended to this location due to it’s proximity to our camground.
This is a hydrojet (shoots up a rooster tail like a jet ski) that gets to the island very quickly compared to the other ferries. I’m not sure how much the slower ferries are but this is $ 23 for an adult round trip with an additional $ 9 «license» to bring your bike along onto the island. The staff loads your bike just into the main area so keep an eye on it to make sure it gets on and doesn’t get knocked over or taken.
The ferry runs regularly between the two ports (railroad station port and the main port to Mackinaw Island) from St. Ignace and then has another boat that goes from Mackinaw City to the Island.
It takes around 10 – 12 minutes to get from Port to Island. The boat has an open air upper deck that is fun to see what is going on and a covered lower deck. We sat up top to head out to the island and then went below for the way back.
Overall, it was a good experience (albeit a bit pricy) to get to and from the island.

Great ride on this ferry. Left promptly, friendly staff. Exciting ride with water shooting out the back of the boat. We took the evening ride back from the island to mainland where they take riders under the Mighty Mac. That was neat and created a good photography opportunity and an up-​close-​and-​personal experience with the bridge.
Fast and pleasant experience.
We also bought the buy 1 get one free coupon that was in the Money Bag at the Chamber. Definitely worth it!

Fun! Make sure to take one of the boats that goes under the bridge. A truly unique experience!

We had a very frustrating experience with this ferry line. We arrived at 9:40 to catch the 10 am boat. When we purchased the tickets, we were told the boat would leave at 10:30. We were disappointed but decided to wait it out. We were given no information from the company, until 11 am when we were told a boat would be here in less than 15 minutes, and that the schedule was subject to change. We’re still currently waiting in line, 35 minutes after the departure time (1 he after the printed departure time). We’re very disappointed our 1 day on Mackinac Island has been cut short due to this company, and we will not use the ferry line again. We’re just hoping we make it over there today at this point.

Starline offers the best deals overall but you must go on their website to find them. They have a friendly staff, clean restrooms and nice little store at the main dock in St. Ignace. Check their website for online deals. I live nearby and will ALWAYS take Starline to Mackinac Island.

Quick ride to the Island, Good internet specials.
We LOVED THE RIDE :)