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.
PROTECT WHAT YOU LOVE. BECOME A FRIEND.
Thunder Bay’s Signature Events
Summer Programs
Cinema Series
Lecture Series
Maritime Festival
ROV Competition
Film Festival
“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 International Film Festival Kicks off Sanctuary’s 20th Anniversary
ALPENA, MICH --The Thunder Bay International Film Festival kicks off the 20th anniversary year celebrating the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary’s (TBNMS) federal designation. TBNMS was officially designated in 2000 as the first freshwater marine [...]
Glass Artists Donate Art to Raise Support
Glass Artists Donate Art to Raise Support for Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Alpena, Mich. -- When 45th Parallel Glass Works and Gallery owners Peggy and Augie Matuzak heard the Friends of Thunder [...]
2019 MATE ROV Competition: The Results Are In!
First Place Ranger Class Underwater Research Robots (UR2) Alpena High School, Alpena, MI First Place Navigator Class RC ROV Rogers City Schools, Rogers City, MI First Place Scout Class Educational Robotics [...]