Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

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Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

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Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Nonprofit Organization, 500 West Fletcher Street, Alpena, MI.

The Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is a non-profit organization whose mission is dedicated to protecting the Great Lakes and preserving their rich maritime history.

11/03/2026

A huge congratulations to Jeremy and Jamie Mock of Sandusky, Ohio!

It is hard to imagine a more fitting home for this handcrafted 17-foot kayak. Between Jamie’s paddling background with the Cuyahoga canoe community and Jeremy working aboard the tug-barge DOROTHY ANN - PATHFINDER, the vessel is in expert, water-loving hands.

A big thank you as well to everyone who bought a ticket to support the outreach and educational missions of Heritage Coast’s Community Boat Builders of Tawas, Michigan and Friends of Thunder Bay. Raising over $4,000 for local education and outreach through both of these organizations is a big win!

Wishing Jeremy and Jamie smooth waters and wonderful adventures when paddle season kicks off next spring!

PS - another shout out to Heritage Coast's Community Boat Builders who built this wooden kayak!

11/02/2026

Pardon our dust…the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is getting some updates. The museum is still open, but you may discover a few areas disturbed while doors, carpets, and more are updated.

Thank you for understanding and please still feel free to visit.

10/27/2026

As we crawl, slither, and zombie walk closer to Halloween how about a fun look back at our Haunted Museum from last Friday night?

🤡🕷️🎃🪼👻🧟🐙
Did you get to swing by?

Thank you to the team and volunteers who brought this night to life!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN
Check out ThunderBayFriends.org for more upcoming events.

10/24/2026

HAUNTED MUSEUM FRIENDS & FAMILY photos part 3

10/24/2026

HAUNTED MUSEUM FRIENDS & FAMILY photos part 2

10/23/2026

HAUNTED MUSEUM FRIENDS & FAMILY photos part 1

10/22/2026

Are you coming to the Haunted Museum 🎃👻🌊🧜‍♂️🕸️

Doors open at 5pm on Friday, October 23rd.
There is something for everyone - from family fun to goosebump-inducing scares 😲😬🤩. We can't wait to see your costume and have a heck of a Halloween hoot!

Photos from our last Haunted Museum event
BTW - thank you to everyone who donated candy!

PS - the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is closed on Friday, October 23 from 8am to 5pm for Haunted Museum set up.

10/15/2026

Thunder Bay’s sanctuary waters and shorelines offer some of the most beautiful views around. That’s why we love inviting you to —and why we’re so excited to feature work from local photographers right in The Sanctuary Store!

Stop by to explore breathtaking aerial shipwreck prints from Bryan Dort (Photic.Zone) alongside striking photos of local vessels and Alpena sights by Spencer Grotto. They make the perfect statement piece for any empty wall.

📍 Find us: Inside the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. Every purchase supports community outreach and education through the Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

10/14/2026

Say "hey!" to the current NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council 👋.

Last night's meeting kicked off with a welcome to new members before diving into a packed agenda covering upcoming events, education recaps and updates, multibeam sonar mapping stats, and support for scientific work on reconstructed reefs in the sanctuary.

A sanctuary advisory council is a community-based advisory group consisting of representatives from various user groups, government agencies, and the public at large. The role of the council is to provide advice to the sanctuary superintendent on the designation and/or operation of a national marine sanctuary.

PS - the next upcoming event is the Haunted Museum on Friday, October 23 - join us if you dare 🎃👻

https://thunderbayfriends.org/event/haunted-museum-2/

10/07/2026

Did you know not all national marine sanctuaries are in the ocean?

In the year 2000, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary was designated in the Great Lakes, making it the first ever freshwater sanctuary! With 99 shipwreck sites identified and more to find, this sanctuary is a hotspot for research, scuba diving, paddling, or relaxing on Lake Huron.

You can also experience the rich history of the Great Lakes by exploring the Great Lakes Maritime Museum or going on a glass-bottom boat tour. Whether you're above or beneath the waves of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, there is loads to do!

Want to get to know Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary? Check out our Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Guide at the link below.

👉https://marinesanctuary.org/sanctuary/thunder-bay/

📽: David Ruck, Nick Zachar, Matt McIntosh/NOAA, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

🎶: Bensound.com License code: OJHCYB4EUU4DWZ38 Artist: Aventure

Address

500 West Fletcher Street
Alpena, MI
49707

Telephone

+19898846200

Website

http://ThunderBayFriends.org/

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