Great Lakes Piping Plover Tour

Join Sleeping Bear Tour Co. for a unique adventure on our Michigan exclusive Great Lakes Piping Plover Tour. Observe the federally protected Great Lakes Piping Plovers in their natural habitat along the shores of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

The Plovers Have Begun Migrations and Our 2025 Tours Are Completed

  • 85 Great Lakes Piping Plover pairs in 2025!

  • Gabby has begun her migration. She is mother to 37 fledged chicks. Safe flight Gabby.

  • Male plovers provide oversight now until fledging day. Many females have already begun their journey to the sea.

Michigan’s first and only guided opportunity to view Great Lakes Piping Plovers, a federally protected endangered species.

Duration: 1.5 hours

A small plover bird with a white underside and light brown back, standing on a sandy surface.
Baby bird standing on sandy beach

Watch the GLPP "dance" along the Lake Michigan shores, listen to vocalizations, and visualize first hand the rearing process.

Stand in the Presence of a Great Lakes treasure.

Two people standing on a sandy beach next to a sign about piping plover nesting areas.

Tennis shoes, sandals, or barefoot you will take in breathtaking views during this level beach walk.

Enjoy the natural beauty of a Pure Michigan coastline. Led by knowledgeable guides, you will explore the pristine beaches and dunes where these endangered shorebirds nest and raise the next generation. From May thru July we offer the opportunity to visualize the courting, mating, nesting, and rearing process.

A fluffy, young sandpiper chick standing on sandy beach.
Airplane tail with bird artwork against cloudy sky.
Nose of Spirit Airlines plane with 'Francie the Piping Plover' on it.

Frontier Airlines

REVIEW: July, 2024 -I learned a ton about the endangered Piping Plover bird and the efforts to encourage their population growth. They’re adorable little birds that nest right on the sand by the water and we saw many of them! I got some amazing photos.

Bird walking on sandy beach with scattered pebbles and sticks
Four people standing on a rocky beach, facing a sandy hill with binoculars. The sky is clear and blue.
Group of people walking on a sandy beach next to clear blue water with a sand dune in the background under a clear sky.

2024 Records

A record number of 81 unique nesting pairs and 86 nests introducing 124 chicks into the wild.

Piping plover standing on shore.

$10 from your tour aids Great Lakes Piping Plover protection!

Piping plover with leg bands walking on a sandy beach near water.

ADDITIONAL LINKS TO CONSERVATION

Piping Plover Conservation

National Park Service

Small bird with a black ring on its neck walking on a sandy beach with scattered stones near water.

See you soon!

Read more about each experience by selecting a tour type below:

Group of people with binoculars observing on a pebble-covered beach next to water and dunes under a clear blue sky.
Person in red hoodie standing on beach with arms outstretched towards the turquoise waters of Lake Michigan in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Woman jumping in air on sand dune with trees in background under clear blue sky

Cancellation Policy

4% credit card recovery fee for all client cancellations - zero costs to reschedule.

Client cancellations within 24 hours of tour time will not be refunded.

Cancellation by SB2r will receive a 100% refund.

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