Traverse City, Michigan
Guided paddles on Grand Traverse Bay
Sunset tours to Power Island, Sleeping Bear Bluffs excursions, and waterfront kayak and SUP rentals from our M-22 shop in Traverse City.
Our Philosophy
Our Philosophy
Slow down. Breathe. Realize you should have been on the water your whole life.
Marcus Chen
Founder & Head Guide
Where We Paddle
Power Island. Sleeping Bear Bluffs. Every evening, all summer.
Our guided tours take you to places on Grand Traverse Bay that most people never see from the water. Two flagship paddles, both led by ACA-certified guides with a USCG licensed captain at the helm.
Flagship Tour
Sunset Paddle to Power Island
$85 / person
Paddle from our M-22 shop to Power Island as the sun drops behind the Leelanau Peninsula. Two hours on the water, golden light, glass-smooth bay. The paddle that books out every summer.
- 2-hour guided tour, departs 2 hours before sunset
- Up to 12 paddlers per group
- Runs 5 nights per week, June through September
- Kayaks and SUPs provided, all skill levels welcome
- 15-minute on-water introduction included
Premium Excursion
Sleeping Bear Bluffs Half-Day
$150 / person
We shuttle you to Empire, then you paddle along the towering Sleeping Bear Bluffs. Stop for lunch on a beach only accessible by water. Paddle back with the bluffs at your shoulder. This is the paddle people fly in for.
- Half-day guided excursion with shuttle transport
- Capped at 8 paddlers for an intimate experience
- Lunch at a water-access-only beach included
- Paddle along Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Led by USCG Captain Marcus Chen
Private Group Tours
Corporate outings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, family groups. We build custom paddle experiences for groups of any size, with our pontoon chase boat alongside for larger parties.
Rentals
Your own time on the water
40 kayaks, 20 paddleboards, 6 pedal kayaks. Pick your vessel, get a 15-minute on-water intro from one of our guides, and go explore West Grand Traverse Bay on your terms.
Single Kayak
Solo exploration at your own pace. Stable, fast, and easy to maneuver.
Half day & full dayTandem Kayak
Paddle together. Perfect for couples and parents with younger kids.
Half day & full dayStandup Paddleboard
See the bay from above. Our boards are wide and stable for all skill levels.
Half day & full dayPedal Kayak
Hands-free paddling. Pedal drive lets you fish, photograph, or just relax.
Half day & full daySnorkel Gear
The water here is clear enough to see 15 feet down. Add snorkel gear to any rental.
Add-on with any rentalBeginner Lesson
One hour with a guide covering paddle technique, safety, and how to read the bay. Perfect first step before renting on your own.
$45 / personSUP Yoga
Saturday mornings on the bay. Boards provided, all levels welcome.
$35 / personWe don’t just hand you a boat and say good luck. Our guides give you a proper introduction on the water, cover safety, paddle technique, and local conditions before you head out.
We also carry sunscreen, dry bags, water shoes, and Drift Paddle Co. merch at the shop.
Why Paddlers Trust Us
4 seasons. 180 five-star reviews. Every guide ACA certified.
“Marcus convinced my terrified wife to try SUP and by the end she didn’t want to get off the water.”
Google Review
Our guides don’t just know the water. They live on it. The most common thing we hear from customers: “the guides made them feel safe even though they’d never been in a kayak before.”
4.8
Google rating
180+
Five-star reviews
4
Seasons on the bay
66
Watercraft in the fleet
Certifications & Permits
- ACA Level 4 Certified Instructor
- Wilderness First Responder
- USCG Licensed Captain
- Michigan DNR Commercial Activity Permit
- Sleeping Bear Dunes NPS Commercial Use Authorization
- All seasonal guides ACA certified
The People on the Water with You
Started with 8 kayaks and a trailer. Now a waterfront shop with 66 boats.
Most rental places around here just hand you a boat and say good luck. We give a 15-minute on-water intro to everyone, even experienced paddlers, because the bay can get rough fast if the wind shifts.
Marcus Chen
Founder & Head Guide
Six years as a whitewater kayak instructor in Colorado. A season guiding sea kayak trips in the San Juan Islands. Grew up in Michigan and came back to start Drift Paddle Co. on the bay he grew up paddling. ACA Level 4 Certified Instructor, Wilderness First Responder, USCG Licensed Captain.
Jamie Chen
Operations
Keeps the business running while Marcus is on the water. Handles reservations, logistics, fleet maintenance, and makes sure every paddler has what they need before they launch. You'll spot Jamie in the Drift branded rash guard at the shop.
4 Seasonal Guides
All ACA certified. All trained by Marcus. First-time paddlers are their specialty: calm instruction, patient pacing, and the kind of confidence that comes from knowing the water inside out.
Find Us on M-22
Waterfront shop in Traverse City on M-22
Address
12847 S. West Bay Shore Dr (M-22)
Traverse City, MI 49684
Hours
May 15 – October 1
Daily, 8:00 AM to sunset
Off-season: Closed. Online bookings open year-round for next season.
Phone
(231) 555-0178Where We Paddle
West Grand Traverse Bay, East Grand Traverse Bay, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Power Island, Bowers Harbor, Old Mission Peninsula
Get in Touch
Questions about a tour? Planning a group outing? Drop us a line.
We respond within a few hours during the season. For same-day bookings or groups larger than 8, give us a call.