High winds and cool temperatures forced us (meaning everyone) to huddle on the enclosed lower deck for the 20-minute ride to the dock on Mackinac Island. It could have been so much better outside but as it was the waves even obscured the view from the lower-level windows on both the ride over and the ride back two days later, not their fault but be aware that the smiling folks you see pictures of on the upper deck don’t happen every day. The 35-dollar ride sounds like a bargain till you start adding up all the costs. My fault that I chose the secure parking option but an assist with checking my bags (taking then from me as I lifted then from the trunk of my car) steps from the ferry and parking a few minutes’ walk away was worth the extra cost as was the convenient retrieval of my bags on the return trip, that had come over on an earlier boat. Safe and convenient parking for my car was comforting. Staying at the Grand Hotel the handing of your bags is seamless in both directions, waiting at check-in for us without ever handling them and the same on the return trip. I know the hotel tacks on an extra charge for the convenience but it truly is a convenience. Everyone I met was friendly, courteous and helpful. The years they’ve been in business really shows with the professional job they do and the sparkling clean image they portray. Why go anywhere else?

Only service available when we went to the island bc we went late in the season but the ride was reasonably priced and a pretty smooth ride. The weather was absolutely gorgeous for late September. It was a great time of year to catch the ferry. We didn’t have a very long wait on either ride. We parked at the shipyard abs paid for overnight parking and our vehicle was safe and our luggage made it to and from without an issue. We were sad to leave the island it was so peaceful and perfect.

Good experience with Shepler's. We walked there from our hotel and they were quick to help us out and collect our luggage. We loved the option to go out and see the Mackinac Bridge on our way to the island. Price is pretty comparable to Mackinac Island Ferry/Starline, but Shepler's had some combo tickets (adults+kids) that saved us a little and influenced our decision to use them. We were a little confused with where to take our luggage when we were leaving the island, not sure what we should have done differently to make it less confusing, but overall our experience was just fine.

Wow! What can I say that others have not already mentioned?? We took their ferry twice to the island and back and both times we were impressed. If you go in the morning try and get the 930am or so rides to the island as they will take you under the bridge. It is "surreal" to be under the bridge as traffic passes over you on top. And it only adds 5 or so minutes to the ride to the island. Heading back is equally enjoyable. But do yourself a favor and head to and park in the parking area (A) off of S. Nichol Avenue by the Mobile Gas Station first! The main parking area off of Central is for overnight/long term parking of ~$45.00USD per night, whereas the side parking in lot A is free and for day parking. The ride to and from the dock is maybe 5 minutes.

Free day parking if taking the ferry. Clean bathrooms. Large boats with comfortable seats. Boats move at a good speed. The Mackinaw City port is much busier than the St Ignace port. Leaving the island round 3 our boat to St. Ignace was less than half full. I don’t know if the Mackinaw City ferry was able to fit all the people in line. As we were pulling out, their boat looked like it was getting pretty full and there was still a long line of people on the dock.

Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry from St. Ignace, MI is the best for all your needs in traveling with luggage and transfers to the hotels. Arrive early enough to obtain tickets and know your transportation via their ferries is the best way to travel. The personnel are efficient, knowledgeable and always very helpful. Staff are courteous and work under pressure as the ferries prepare to load and unload; not just when staff is helping you. Shepler's St. Ignace is awesome due to the staff and ferry pilots.

Amazing boat crew & gate personnel. They really have their systems in place for maximum efficiency. On board crew was pleasant, friendly and helpful. Better directions and or instructions on parking could be worked on for clearer understanding. Shuttle service people were VERY rude, crabby, yelling at guests, etc. This happened both coming and going back to the parking lots. Really put a damper on the whole experience.

The ferry is convenient, on-time and efficiently run. Buy your tickets ahead of time so you can just come and get in line for the ferry. Plenty of space inside the cabin as well as up top. We chose to sit up top even though it was a chilly morning. The sky was blue and the wind was at our backs. It was glorious and the view was magnificent. Pat, at the ticket booth, was from Lancaster, NY originally which is one town over from our home town. We had so much fun discussing our favorite foods from the area. Had we known she was going to be there we would have brought her some of her favorites from our hometown. Pat was delightful to visit with and recommended some of the local restaurants to us for dinner. There is preferred parking at the ferry dock for $45 per day or you can park at another lot and a shuttle will bring you to the dock. There are several shuttles running at all times and the wait is never long. It is a well-run operation.

If you stay at certain hotels in Mackinaw City, Shepler’s will pick you up at the hotel. They will also return you to the hotel when you return from Mackinac Island. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Mackinaw City the night before we went to the island, and the front desk staff said that we could leave our rental car there at the hotel during the time that we were on the island. Kudos to the Holiday Inn for that option. When you arrive at the ferry terminal in Mackinaw City you simply pass your luggage to one of the ferry employees and they put it on the boat. Likewise, when you arrive at the island, employees unload the luggage and, depending on the hotel that you’re staying at, will take your luggage to the hotel. Picking up our luggage on the return was similarly very. The boat was clean and quiet.

We recently took the Shepler Ferry to Mackinac Island from the Mackinaw City dock. From the second we arrived it was clear that this was a well run organization. The first attendant was cheerful and polite. He took his time to give us insights and next steps. We pulled up to the ferry, dropped off our luggage and were off to the parking lot in less than 5 minutes. After parking offsite, the shuttle was waiting for us and took us right to the ferry. We got our tickets, got on the line, and took a nice ride over to the Island. The return lines can be pretty long, but we came back off-hour, so we had no issue. Smooth, easy, efficient and polite! What more can you ask for?