Remember the days when you used to twirl on swings and jump from what then seemed like insurmountable heights? The pure ecstasy of letting energy loose on a playground was what most of us dreamed of back in our good ol’ days. Now as adults our days of playing at the park are long behind us, but what if you were told you could go back to the simple things you used to enjoy so much?
Pikes Bay Marina provides boaters with the chance to return back to their youthful days with their location on Lake Superior in Bayfield near the Apostle Islands. Boaters at Pikes Bay Marina can enjoy a number of amenities, including a clubhouse, a brand-new service center, and full-time dock crew that will keep your boat safe and ready for your next adventure. But most importantly, guests are only a short boat ride away from the adventures of a lifetime, including camping and hiking on Basswood Island, visiting lighthouses, learning the history of the islands.
“The Apostles are pretty much a boater’s playground,” Pikes Bay Marina Office Manager Krishna Patterson shared. “The Apostle Islands lakeshore is kind of a hidden gem in the national parks system and it’s just gorgeous islands with lighthouses on them and lots of history.”
Time To Disappear
Pikes Bay Marina has unique access to the Apostle Islands that many marinas covet. Most marinas are only able to offer a day of sailing out on the great lake, but at Pikes Bay, boaters can disappear for days on clandestine adventures. There are plenty of mysteries to uncover, including the many shipwrecks that have been swallowed up by the great lake and areas that remain mostly untouched by man’s destructive touch.
“We really are a key destination. People come here to enjoy the area and enjoy the islands, so we’re very fortunate to have both the property that we have here being a first-class facility,” bragged Steve Linton of Pikes Bay Marina. “We’re on a tremendous lake that has lots of potential boating opportunities with the islands and the lighthouses. There couldn’t be a better place to boat, a better place to have a marina.”
First-Class Safety
The marina itself contains 280 slips and offers a number of services to ensure that boaters have a great time while out on the water while remaining safe, including a tremendous black granite breakwater that protects boats from damage during heavy winds and storms. The breakwater was created when the marina first opened in 2000, and was pre-tested in engineering labs, making Pikes Bay Marina the safest harbor in the Apostles.
Pikes Bay also prides itself on being a top-notch facility, while at the same time maintaining a comforting, homestyle atmosphere. The clubhouse contains full-service kitchen, patio, and barbecue area. The marina is also known for its spacious private showers that provide guests with a temporary escape from the tight quarters of their boat.
The marina also hosts a number of events, including the Safety and Sea Conference, a two certification event for boaters, and customer appreciation events, such as their pancake breakfast. These events allow the marina to demonstrate the deep love and commitment to boaters, and give people a chance to connect.
“We just did our pancake breakfast and had an excellent turnout and one of our boaters was so excited that he provided his own maple syrup from his own sugar bush,” remembered Patterson. “He wanted to share it with everybody, which was so nice of him. People really appreciated that.”
Events at the marina draw boaters together and build a sense of community, especially during the holidays when most of their events are held, including Memorial Day, Labor Day and July Fourth get-togethers. These events are times for everyone to bring something to share and get to know one another, with the marina providing the basic ingredients for a good time.
It is easy to see why Pikes Bay Marina has labeled itself with what Linton calls their catchphrase, “Best Address on the Apostles.” It is the perfect place to rejuvenate the child inside of you waiting to escape. The playground awaits.
For More Information:
Pikes Bay Marina
715-779-3900
www.pikesbaymarina.com
