Grand Portage Isle Royale Ferry Terminal

This is the passenger-ferry terminal at Grand Portage Marina on Lake Superior’s Minnesota shore, the mainland gateway to Isle Royale. Treat it as a departure point, not a public sightseeing stop: the marina parking is for ferry passengers, and neither boat carries cars. Reserve early; many trips sell out months ahead, and it’s sensible to book your return at the same time.

Sea Hunter III runs directly from Grand Portage to Windigo in about an hour and a half. Voyageur II takes about two hours to Windigo or five to Rock Harbor, then follows a clockwise, two-day circuit with stops at island docks and trailheads and an overnight at Rock Harbor. It also carries U.S. mail, so the route serves the island’s scattered stops as well as visitors. Choose the boat for the part of the island you want to reach.

Both boats are 65-foot passenger vessels. Voyageur II has enclosed booth seating and outside decks; Sea Hunter III has limited cabin seating, with more places to sit outdoors. The long crossing can mean cold wind, spray or rough water, so bring a warm layer and rain protection even in summer. A restroom is available at the terminal, and both boats have onboard restrooms.

The terminal is at 402 Upper Road in Grand Portage, not on Isle Royale. Use the marina lots only if you’re traveling by ferry; parking is paid separately through the village. Service is seasonal and departures vary by boat and date, so check the current schedule before you travel. Grand Portage uses Central Time while Isle Royale uses Eastern—double-check the time zone for each leg.

The operator’s ferry business began with the Sivertson family carrying their Isle Royale freshwater catch back to Minnesota, then grew to include passengers. Voyageur II still combines mail service with passenger trips and island drop-offs, which is why this crossing feels more like joining a working route than boarding a simple shuttle.