Sanctuary Offices & Visitor Center Closed to the Public
For the health and safety of our guests, volunteers, and employees, and as a precautionary measure to limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the offices and visitor center will be closed to the public until further notice. We will continue to reassess the situation. We understand this closure is an inconvenience for visitors, and we apologize. Our top priority is the health of our guests who come to learn about Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, and the National Marine Sanctuary System, as well as the staff and volunteers who support our visitor center. If you have further questions about the closure and TBNMS, please call 989-884-6200
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.
Thunder Bay’s Signature Events
Maritime Festival
ROV Competition
Film Festival
Summer Programs
“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.”
Upcoming Events
Whats Happening at Thunder Bay
NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Thunder Bay Honor Al Moe as Volunteer of the Year
ALPENA, MICH. – Each year NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) partners with the 14 sanctuaries across the country to recognize “extraordinary people who take time out of their lives for the betterment of [...]
Michigan Humanities CARES Act Grant Helps Support Friends of Thunder Bay Staffing
ALPENA, Mich.-- The Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary extends gratitude to the Michigan Humanities Council, in affiliation with the National Endowment for the Humanities, for a CARES Act grant of $7,500 to support [...]
Lake Huron Forever Initiative Awards $50,000 to Support Great Lakes Health
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 23, 2020 Contact: Colby Chilcote, Marketing Director, Huron Pines, (989) 370-6857, colby@huronpines.org Lake Huron Forever Initiative Awards $50,000 to Support Great Lakes Health Partners in Michigan and Ontario Receive Funding [...]
Thunder Bay Maritime Festival Events Cancelled
May 5, 2020 CONTACT: Katie Wolf T: 989-277-3543 E: kwolf@thunderbayfriends.org Thunder Bay Maritime Festival Events Cancelled for July 3rd and 4th Due to Community Health Concerns ALPENA, MICH. – After carefully assessing the Centers for [...]