Photographer: John Cesarz

Lat. 45º 44' 48" N   -   Long. 85º 31' 00" W

Magnetic Variation:  3º  00' W

Harbormaster on duty 8:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m. 

Dock Ph.# (616) 448-2252

Coast Guard (Charlevoix): Ph.# (616)-547-2541  

Services:

• VHF Channel 16 & 9 monitored
• Major Credit Cards Accepted
• Transient Dockage
• Electricity - 110V 30A & 220V 50A
• Fresh Water
• Ice
• Restrooms & Showers
• Holding tank Pump-Out
• Transportation Available

Locally Available: (1) Block

• Fuel - Gasoline & Diesel
• Launch Ramp 
• Laundry
• Groceries
• Restaurants
• Stores
• Doctor & Registered Nurse

St. James / Beaver Island Harbor is sponsored by the Michigan State Waterways Commission. The entrance to the largest natural harbor in Michigan is marked with (1) FR Buoy. St. James Lighthouse can also be seen on the North side of the harbor entrance. The island is part of Charlevoix County with it's major mainland link through Charlevoix, MI.  

St. James harbor is a good natural harbor making for a safe refuge for light draft vessels. It maintains a depth of 14 feet with a width of 150 feet.

Anchoring, in the inner harbor, requires a heavy anchor with plenty of line due to it's soft bottom. Anchoring in the deeper outer harbor is not good.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

St. James Harbor and Ferry Dock

Crystal clear water and  pristine beaches surround the island. There is much undeveloped land and many areas of seclusion available in the Beaver Island area. Hiking trails and seven inland lakes provide much scenery. From beautiful woodlands to log cabin ruins this is an excellent place to stop in and explore. A majority of Beaver Island's commerce arrives by ferry in the form of supplies from Charlevoix, MI.

History: Beaver Island was first settled in the early 1800's by Irish and French fishermen. 

The natural harbor was improved with removal of a shoal along the shoreline making it accessible to light draft vessels. This work was completed in 1956 at a total cost of $56,671.00. Harbor maintenance in the fall of 1997 amounted to $85,814.00.

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