st clair shores michigan

Great-Lakes-Sailing.com

St Clair Shores, MI

Lat: 42° 28.044   Long: 082° 52.436

Quick Reference:

  • Port Type: City
  • Monitors VHF: 68
  • Charts: NOS 14850
  • Customs: No
  • Coast Guard
  • Transient Docking
  • Anchorage
  • Diesel
  • Gasoline
  • Potable Water
  • Pump Out
  • Washrooms
  • Showers
  • Laundry
  • Repair Services
  • Provisions
  • Pharmacy
  • Hospital/Clinic
  • Banks/ATM
  • Restaurants/Pubs
  • Shopping
  • Internet
  • Amenities
  Important Numbers

Area Code586
Emergency911
Police(586) 445-5300
Hospital(586) 470-5000
Pharmacy(586) 498-9540

DISTANCES


Port Distance (nm) Port Distance (nm)
Fair Haven, MI 16 N Sarnia, ON 42 N
Detroit, MI 12 S Thames River, ON 21 E
Detroit River Light 36 S Windsor, ON 10 S

DESCRIPTION


St Clair Shores Michigan has been called the 'Boating Capital of the Mid-west' Known locally as the 'Nautical Mile', it is home to one of the largest concentrations of marinas, marine service businesses and boat yards on the Great Lakes. There are nearly 3,000 slips here but transient slips can be hard to come by. Jefferson Beach Marina has the most transient slips

St Clair Shores is part of the greater Detroit area. Downtown Detroit is approximately 12 nm south. It is a very busy harbor with events happening all summer.

APPROACHES


St Clair Shores has marinas that stretch along an approximate 1 mi/1.6 km waterfront. Approaches are clear from the north.

From the East and South
Stay clear of Gaulker Shoal. Shown on charts, Gaulker Shoal extends NNE from Gaulker Point. Despite the temptation, prudence dictates clearing the Gaulker Shoal Junction Buoy - Fl 2+1 GREEN [with Green and Red bands] and coming down the Nautical Mile from the north.

MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES


The marinas are lined up side by side and finding some entrances can be challenging. They are shown on the chart. It can be best to call them (only Jefferson Beach Marina has VHF) to get specific directions to a particular marina.

Miller Marina   (586) 771-9000   
Miller Marina is located up the basin immediately south of the US Coast Guard base. Once inside the basin, Miller's is straight ahead, at the end of the basin. This is a long-established, family-run marina with about 12-15 slips available for transients. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. This is a full-service marina offering complete engine, mechanical, electrical and fibreglass repair services. There is water and power at each slip. Restrooms and showers are available. There are picnic areas on the grounds.

Jefferson Beach Marina   (586) 778-7600   VHF 68
Jefferson Beach Marina has over 800 slips with nerly 5 dozen available for transients. This is by far the largest of the marinas in St Clair Shores. There are fuel docks (diesel and gasoline) and pumpout stations. This is a full-service marina with a wide range of repair and maintenance services including engine, mechanical, electrical, fibreglass and prop repairs. There are water and power hookups at each slip. There are restrooms, showers and laundry facilities. Other amenities include a swimming pool, recreational area and picnic area with BBQ grills. The Tin Fish is their on-site restaurant and bar/lounge. (see below).

Michigan Harbor   (586) 775-0852   
Michigan Harbor is located further up the basin from Jefferson Beach Marina, on your starboard side. The entrance is marked with a large sign. They have over 400 slips and some are set aside for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and pumpout station. Water and power are available at dockside. Colony Marine, located within Michigan Harbor, can carry out engine, mechanical, electrical and fibreglass repairs. There are restrooms and showers on-site.

Emerald City Harbor   (586) 772-4200   
Emerald City Harbor has 600 slips with several set aside for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. This is a full service marina. Their technicians can handle engine, mechanical electrical and fibreglass repairs. There is water and power dockside. They have restrooms and showers in their boathouse. There is a ship's store. They also have a gazebo and picnic areas.

Harbor 9 Marina   (586) 776-5650   
Harbor 9 has over 100 slips with 5-6 available for cruising sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and a pumpout station. This is a full service marina. That can handle engine, mechanical electrical, electronic and fibreglass repairs and maintenance. Water and power hookups are available at each slip. Internet service is available.

Great Lakes Yacht Club   (586) 778-9510   
GLYC is located in the basin south of Emerald City Marina. The club has over 200 slips with several available for transient sailors on a reciprocal basis. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station. Water and power are available at dockside. There are restrooms and showers are in the clubhouse. Amenities include a heated swimming pool, gazebo, picnic areas and internet access.

REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's


Miller Marina (See above)

Jefferson Beach Marina (See above)

Colony Marina (See Michigan Harbor above)

Harbor 9 Marina (See above)

Island Harbor Marina is located at the south end of the Nautical Mile, on the same basin as Emerald City Marina. They do engine, mechanical and electrical repairs and maintenance.

Mike's Marine Supply is a very large chandlery located on Jefferson Ave., just south of 10 Mile Road. This is at the northern end of the Nautical Mile.

West Marine has a large chandlery located on Jefferson Ave. at 10 Mile Road. This is at the northern end of the Nautical Mile.

Kroger Supermarket is located about .5 mi/1 km south of the marinas on Jefferson Ave at Marter Road.

Citi Bank is located on Jeffereson Ave, 2 blocks north of 10 Mile Road. It has counter and ATM service.

MEDICAL SERVICES


St. John's Urgent Care (586) 445-5300 is located about 3.5 mi/5.6 km from the Nautical Mile marinas.

Walgreen's Pharmacy (586) 498-9540 is located 1.5 mi/2.5 km from the Nautical Mile marinas.

PLACES TO EAT


Jeffereson Ave. is a major artery that runs along the St Clair Shores shoreline. There are many different restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. Here are a few suggestions.

The Tin Fish is situated on the property of the Jefferson Beach Marina. With their waterfront location, they have an extensive menu and serve up live entertainment as well.

Brownie's on the Lake is located next to Emerald City Marina. It has a great waterfront location and a classic American pub menu with steaks, ribs and seafood.

Mike's on the Water is located at Michigan Harbor. They have a patio that overlooks the lake and offer a standard pub menu along with entertainment. They have several slips for patrons.

Captain Jack's Lakefront Bar & Grill is a classic American bar & grill that serves casual meals - burgers, chicken and seafood. There is a great story about its namesake, Capt. Jack Linkur, one of the greatest liquor smugglers during the Prohibition.

Fishbones Rhythm Kitchen Cafe is a New Orleans-inspired, upscale restaurant. It has an award-winning decor and outstanding menu. If New Orleans or Cajun dishes are on your radar, this is the place to go.

If your tastes run to Greek food, check out Pegasus, considered one of the best Greek restaurants in the Detroit area.

Pat O'Brien's Irish Pub is a popular pub with a typical pub food menu.

THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT


This is a busy harbor. If you have need for repairs or maintenance, supplies or kit, this is definitely a place to visit.

There are parades and festivals throughout the summer. The St Clair Shores Michigan tourism page on Michigan's state tourism site will give you more ideas on how you can enjoy your time here.

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