WHY SHOULD YOU JOIN?
If you love the Great Lakes, join the Friends! Dedicated to sustaining the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s fresh waters and nationally significant collection of more than 200 shipwrecks, the Friends of TBNMS needs your help! Join us in supporting a dynamic range of education, community outreach, and research activities focused on protecting the Great Lakes.
GET INTO YOUR SANCTUARY
Explore the many ways to experience Great Lakes shipwrecks, lighthouses, fossil beds, and more.
EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Discover fascinating learning opportunities about marine science, technology, and archaeology for all ages here.
KNOW YOUR SANCTUARY
Dive deeper to learn about the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s underwater shipwreck museum.
Thunder Bay’s Signature Events
Summer Programs
Cinema Series
Lecture Series
Maritime Festival
ROV Competition
Film Festival
PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE. BECOME A FRIEND.
“Great experience! Highly recommend it!”
“What an incredible blessing to this town! Always love this place and the beautiful sincere staff. Thank you!!!”
“It was a blast! Captain Spencer and crew were very fun and informative about some of northern Michigan’s history.”
Whats Happening at Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary to Offer Paid Internships in Partnership with Greening Youth Foundation and Office of Coast Survey
ALPENA, MICH—The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) is one of only two national marine sanctuaries selected to partner with the Greening Youth Foundation and NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey to offer a paid internship [...]
Winners Announced for the 4th Annual Student Film Competition at the Thunder Bay International Film Festival
Film Festival Lead Sponsor and Chemical Bank branch manager Laura Werda and assistant manager Jodi Sucharski present the 1st Place Student Film Award to Akia Rutherford from Rogers City High School for her film: [...]
The Show Will Go On! Thunder Bay International Film Festival Tickets on Sale Now
For the seventh year, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is bringing the world of cinema to northeast Michigan! From January 23 through 27, residents and travelers to northeast Michigan will be treated to some of the [...]