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
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 [...]
2019 MATE ROV Great Lakes Regional Competition
MEDIA ADVISORY MATE ROV Great Lakes Regional Competition helps students learn importance and application of underwater technology May 10, 2019 — MATE Great Lakes Regional ROV Competition is challenging local students to create an underwater [...]
Tribute to U.S. Senator Hollings
Remembering a NOAA Champion for Protecting Coastal and Ocean Special Places Senator Ernest “Fritz” Hollings Played Lead Role in Establishing NOAA as Federal Agency As a recent recipient of the Ernest F. Hollings Ocean [...]
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 [...]