Grand Traverse Bay / Leelanau County - Small

Lake Michigan is home to the Grand Traverse Bay, which was formed in the northwestern Lower Peninsula by the Leelanau Peninsula and is divided into two arms by that of the Old Mission Peninsula. The bay is 32 miles in length and reaches depths of up to 620 feet and with the East and West divide, it includes many smaller bays of import like Northport Bay, Suttons Bay, Omena Bay, Bowers Harbor, and Old Mission Bay. In the northwest corner of the Grand Traverse Bay is the 10-mile-long Northport Bay where there are several shoals throughout that are marked by buoys. In the middle of Northport Bay is the low gravel, shrubby covered Bellows Island, which is owned by the Nature Conservancy and is well-known for its bird rookery and is sometimes locally referred to as Gull Island. The region of Grand Traverse Bay is a highly sought-after tourist destination due to its golden sand beaches, shimmering blue waters, booming cherry industry, and countryside wineries with their mass grape vineyards.