charity island dinner cruise

We decided to take the final dinner/boat cruise to Charity Island and we were not disappointed! A newly made friend of ours who has been touring lighthouses in America for the past four years was on this cruise...we enjoyed talking with him about Charity Island as well as about other Michigan lighthouse adventures. The dinner was highly anticipated and it did not disappoint! We ordered one of both dinners offered...perch or beef tenderloin tips with red skin potatoes, a vegetable medley, crusted bread, and a special sauce made by the owners and Capt. Tom. A wine tasting on the pavilion deck was a nice feature...both Michigan Cherry and Michigan Raspberry wines could be tasted and purchased by the glass or bottle. Dinner was preceded by an informative history of the early lighthouse keeper, the present owners' decision to purchase the island, and of the features unique to the island such as the rare flora species and the archaelogical artifacts. The time after dinner was limited, but we did take pictures of the lighthouse and home and we went upstairs to see the period pieces. (Limited items) what this tower needs is a non-profit organization to assist in its rebuilding of the structure, as the top of the tower is in disrepair. It would be nice to return some day and find that the tower was refurbished! We recommend the dinner cruise and tour to Charity Island!

My friend and I took the charity island cruise from the port in Caseville, MI. It was a great experience overall. They only accept cash or check and collect when you board the ship so be prepared for that. The ride over was beautiful and they serve cheese and crackers as an appetizer. They also provide water or pop free and have beer available for purchase. They do allow you to bring a cooler on board if you prefer to BYOB. Once on the island you can walk the short distance to the lighthouse or they have a cart to drive you. The dinner table set up is outdoor under a pavilion. They also offer free wine tasting and have bottles available for purchase. The owner goes into a detailed historic background of the island and lighthouse while dinner is prepared (you had the option of fish or steak). My meal was good. Corn in the cob, baguette, red potatoes and steak pieces. My only complaint would be that the meat was undercooked for my taste. It was at medium and I'm a well done kind of person. After dinner there was time to explore the grounds, gift shop etc. The lighthouse tower is in pretty bad shape, I would not recommend climbing until restorations are done. The dwelling remodel next to the tower is beautiful. Lots of history and small artifacts to look at. On the boat ride back they served cheesecake for dessert. The worker on the boat was very friend and sat chatting with us for a while. If you want to do this plan to be gone for 6-6.5 hours.

My husband and I took this trip to celebrate our wedding anniversary and to see the lighthouse. Capt Tom was wonderful and so was his crew helper. Ride out to the island was rough and it was even rougher on the way back with heavy fog and big waves. Dinner was FANTASTIC. We found out that Capt Tom cooked it. The owner Bob was very energetic and had a great presentation (although I think he talks too fast). HIs wife, Karen, was a little on the "short snubbish" side. Her appearance looked like she just got out of bed. Although, we enjoyed seeing the light and the owners did open up their home for viewing and for bathroom facilities, we encourage the owners to take a look at what they offer for the $89 charge. The items in the gift shop could definately be expanded and would probably do well. The whole area could still be spruced up a little and maintain it's natural integrity.

Our first trip to Caseville for the Cheeseburger days. Just happened upon the link to the Dinner Cruise. What terrific good fortune. The weather was perfect. Arrived early enough in the day to get a place to park. I consider it very much similar to meeting a friend at the Caseville Municipal Marina and riding with him on his boat (with 40 of your best friends of course) out to his Island home. Which just happens to be a Michigan Historic Treasure. Love these historical tours. The stories, all the background. The dinner was spectacular. THAT was unexpected.Would have loved just a little more time to walk around and absorb the place. Soak it all in. Make sure I saw everything. Completely professional in every detail.HIghly recommend the excursion. Pure Michigan

We started in Caseville and Captain Tom and his very friendly crew welcomed us aboard. The trip to the island was about 75 minutes with spectacular views. Once we landed we walked through the unspoiled woods to the lighthouse for refreshments. Dinner was outstanding. The perch was cooked to perfection and the rest of the meal was equally as good. We were able to climb the lighthouse and then get our lighthouse passports stamped inside the lighthouse building. Dinner is served outside in a large gazebo and local wines are served at a minimal cost. The trip back was timed to take advantage of the sunset over the lake and we enjoyed our cheesecake while we rode back. We can't wait to go back again.

I would rate this experience just short of excellent. Our trip from Caseville was smooth and uneventful. Our choice of cheddar or pepperjack cheese & crackers with pop & water was fine. The docking was smooth in the rustic but secure dock. I took the "carriage" ride up to the house & light. The sharing of the site's history was interesting and dramatic as entertainment until the food was cooked. We chose steak which was excellent ~ well seasoned and cooked. The potatoes, vegetables & bread were also good. Those who ordered the perch said it was good. These people opened their summer home to us ~ we wandered around their home as 43 of us used their personal restrooms. The lighthouse needs to be restored. The boat trip back was rougher but only one became literally seasick. We were offered strawberry cheesecake and coffee, pop & water. The sunset was brief due to clouds but gorgeous!The downside was the road from the dock to the site is overgrown enough that I got smacked in the face several times with tree branches & sumac (which my husband is highly allergic to). The mosquitos are so bad that I was miserable at the time, knowing that when the bites were gone, I'd have amazing memories. We were told ahead of time they were bad therefore I cannot understand why the place wasn't fogged. If you go on this excursion, be sure to take a citronella candle for the table as well as personal spray. If you are a lighthouse passport stamp collector, be sure to be prepared and take an ink pad. The stamps have recently arrived but no ink pad although a summer guest did come up with a marker that pretty much worked. Overall, I would do it again taking a candle & an ink pad.

This was our first trip on the sunset dinner cruise to Charity Island from Caseville. The excellent reviews already written describe the trip well and need no additions. However I did not understand the reviews from those who were not happy with this trip. Everything mentioned in the ads was provided. We had coffee available on the cruise, crackers and cheese on the trip out, and cheesecake on the way back. The dinner was marvelous! Tasty, hot, and plenty of food.We thoroughly enjoyed the history of the Island presented by Bob, and the informative tour of the lightkeeper's home by Karen. Could not have been more pleased with this cruise and will probably do it again and definitely will reccommend it to our friends.

My family did the day trip to the island because we had children with us, so we didn't want to do the dinner trip and pay the full price. The crew taking us to the island were great and very personable. The history provided by the lighthouse keepers were amazing. I was captivated by the history that I never knew. This was a great family trip, we packed our own lunches and ate on the island. We will come back again for the adult dinner trip in the next few years.

Our family chose a daytime boat tour from Caseville. I don't see it listed as an activity from Caseville so I'm posting it here. Refreshments were provided during the 1.5 hour trip each way in calm seas and the two crew members were attentive and friendly. We also learned a great deal about the island along the way.Once docked we took a 10-minute easy walk to the Lighthouse Keeper's home and enjoyed packed lunches in an open pavilion. Bob narrated a very interesting history of the Charity Island lighthouse. Then, we had time to explore, climb the lighthouse, shop for gifts, and walk the beach before heading back to the dock. It was a pleasant outing for our family and we feel $39 is worth the price. If you like nature and visiting historical treasures then you will enjoy the trip.

After reading these reviews, my husband and I were concerned about paying the $84 each for the dinner cruise from the Caseville location (not East Tawas) to Charity Island. We decided to go ahead and try it, and we are very happy that we did! We both love being out on the water, so we enjoyed the hour + trip out to the island. On the way there, we were offered complimentary sodas and water as well as cheese and crackers (nothing fancy, but still tasty). Although you can't bring it with you on the island, guests are welcome to bring a cooler of adult beverages on the boat, and we enjoyed them on the ride over and back. I was happy to have my windbreaker, especially for the sprays of water that splashed over the side when the waves got a little bumpy (there was an enclosed area of the boat where we could have sat if the water bothered us, but it didn't). After arriving on the island, there is a short walk through the woods until you reach the lighthouse/lightkeeper's house (I'd strongly reccommend using the bug spray that they carry onboard). The owners are very friendly, and were more than happy to give us a full tour of the house (which they built) and tell us all about the history of Charity Island. We really enjoyed the dinner which is served on a covered deck with a fabulous view. Dinner consisted of bread, whole red potatoes, vegetables (mostly cabbage), and either steak tips (which I had) or fried perch (which my husband had). We both enjoyed our meals; the food was served hot and delicious. Wine and beer are also available for purchase (I heard someone buy a beer for $4), but we didn't buy any. After dinner, we explored the lighthouse (which is not part of the official tour, but no one stopped us). There is a small gift shop there, and we bought a christmas ornament and beer coozy. The ride back to Caseville was timed perfectly with the sunset, and the crew on board offered us yummy cheesecake with strawberries (they no longer provide coffee, though). Throughout the day, we took many fabulous pictures and discussed how happy we were that we decided to make the purchase and take the trip to Charity Island. While it may not be as fancy as some people would hope, it was a good time, and we would reccommend it for people who enjoy boat rides, being in nature, visiting historic places, and having fun.

Expensive. Food was not very good. Weather is a big factor. Its a long ride out to the island and if the lake is rough you might want to take sea sick precautions.

Enjoyed the big water boat ride, followed by a pretty good dinner, and a little time to explore the residence and the island. The hosts both on the boat and island were excellant.

We started off with a pontoon boat ride in 4-6 foot waves and it took over 1 hour and 1/2 to get there, it seemed longer because I was very Ill from sea sickness.The island seems like someone had great dreams that crashed with the housing market. A rundown building at the dock, poorly maintained docks, rustic up-north feel I guess. We walked the short trail to the house and patio area where dinner will be served. There is a small hut for souvenirs, patio, nice house, yard that is poorly maintained with ramshackle fences. Wonderful view of the beach, a nice little stroll down the beach was available. There wasn't a lot of time for exploring, we were running late because of the late arrival.We opted for the fish, which was very good. The meal was decent considering there is no running water and electricity. Pop and water is included, wine and beer is extra. On the mainland, I would expect to pay maybe $8 for a meal of this fare. 3-4 small pieces of perch, two small boiled red skin potatoes, stir fry cabbage and carrots (was cold when I received them) and a piece of very good, warm bread. The history told by Bob was interesting, but got a bit long winded.The ride back was smoother, as the winds died down and the way back is with the waves instead of against them. They did provide blankets if needed if you were chilly. The girls waiting on us were the bright point of the trip. Their smile and desire to serve were over the top. We were served a small piece of cheesecake - no coffee. I don't have a problem with no coffee, but if a website boasts of cheese and wine on the way out and coffee and dessert on the way back, it should be more than what they had.....just saying.This was to be the highlight of our only weekend away this summer. The price of over $160 for a couple for this adventure is too much.....I hope you go in with eyes open...most other reviews here were misleading

It was a pleasant trip, great weather, and the dinner was excellent. The explanation of the island history was also excellent.However, Other features don't live up to what they say on their website.On the trip over the website says wine tasting of locally grown fruit wines and artisan cheese appetizers. Only wine available had to be purchased and it was california gallo in airline bottles, The cheese consisted of what I think was velevtta spread and ritz crackers.On the way back from the island supposed to be a choice of pies and coffee. No coffee available and only one type of pie, and we were served a small sliver.As I said at the top, we enjoyed it but it was overpriced for what we got.

At the end of September in Michigan, you never know what kind of weather to expect, but we ended up with a perfect day for the 1 hour cruise on Lake Huron from Tawas to Charity Island. We were served drinks and a snack on the hour long ride over and enjoyed beautiful views of the island and lighthouse. Once we arrived, we were warmly greeted by the island's residents. Listening to Bob tell stories of the island's history and his past was very entertaining and one of the highlights of the whole trip. After a delicious dinner, we had some time to tour the house, look through the gift shop and walk the island. Dessert and coffee were served on the cruise back. Having never heard of this tour, I wasn't expecting much, but we came away wanting to experience it all over again.