Beaver Island Boat Company

10/17/2026

⚠️ SUNDAY SERVICE CANCELED – HIGH WINDS

Due to high winds and rough conditions on Lake Michigan, all BIBCO ferry service is canceled tomorrow, Sunday, October 18. Passenger safety always comes first, and we’re sorry for the inconvenience.

We will run two round trips on Monday, October 19:
From Charlevoix: 8:30 AM and 2:30 PM
From Beaver Island: 11:20 AM and 5:20 PM

If you’re booked for Sunday, we will give you a call and we’ll get you moved to a Monday trip. Please keep an eye on our page for any further updates, as conditions can change.

Reminder: Our 15% fuel surcharge on passenger, vehicle and freight fares goes into effect Tuesday, October 20.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and stay safe out there!

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10/17/2026

BIBCO weather update:

It looks like we have our window today to get our departures in. 10/17/26

Departing Beaver Island 8:20 am and 2:20 pm
Departing Charlevoix 11:30 am

Sunday: we are watching the forecast closely to see how quickly the winds move in. We will update you as soon as we can make a decision.

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10/16/2026

BIBCO Weather Update, 10/16/2026

Fall looks like it’s going to go out like a lion. 🦁

Friday 10/16: All departures are cancelled.

Saturday 10/17: The forecast shows a window for some departures. If it holds, we will be departing:
⛴️ Beaver Island at 8:20 AM and 2:20 PM
⛴️ Charlevoix at 11:30 AM

Sunday 10/18: The forecast is calling for more gales and high waves. We have not cancelled Sunday departures yet, but if you must get to or from the island on Sunday, please consider traveling Saturday or Monday instead. We are contacting customers with Sunday vehicle reservations now to explain their options.

Monday and Tuesday: If we don’t travel Sunday, we may make two trips Monday if weather allows, or one Monday and one Tuesday.

Please check in with us for updates. Stay safe out there!

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10/13/2026

Fuel Surcharge Notice

Effective October 19, a 15% fuel surcharge will apply to all passenger, vehicle, and freight fares through the end of the season . This surcharge will apply to reservations that have already been booked.

We are sorry for the added cost, and we know it comes at a time when many of you are already feeling the pinch. Fuel costs have risen beyond what we can absorb, and we held off on this decision for as long as we could. It was not an easy one to make.

We understand this will affect every one of our customers, from our island residents and local businesses to our visitors, and we truly appreciate your patience and understanding. Your support is what keeps this service running, and we are grateful for it.

If you have questions about how the surcharge applies to your fare or shipment, please call or message us. We are happy to help.

Thank you for being part of the Beaver Island community.

10/13/2026

⚠️ SCHEDULE CHANGE: NO FERRY SERVICE FRIDAY, OCT. 16 ⚠️

We’re canceling all Friday departures to and from Beaver Island. The forecast is calling for gales and very high waves, and while forecasts can change, last-minute travel changes are tough in the fall, especially after dark. We’d rather make the call early so you have time to plan. Your safety and comfort come first, and we apologize for the inconvenience.

Here’s the revised schedule:
🗓 Thursday, Oct. 15 (added trips)
⛴ Departing Beaver Island: 11:20 AM
⛴ Departing Charlevoix: 2:30 PM

🚫 Friday, Oct. 16
All departures canceled

🗓 Saturday, Oct. 17 (times shifted)
⛴ Departing Beaver Island: 8:20 AM and 2:20 PM
⛴ Departing Charlevoix: 11:30 AM

Have a vehicle reservation for Friday or Saturday, We’ll be calling you to go over your options.

Questions? Give us a call at 231-547-2311 Thank you for your understanding, and stay safe out there! 🌊

Send a message to learn more

10/12/2026

Trade the highway for the horizon by switching traffic lanes for the open waters of Lake Michigan!

10/07/2026

🚢 Limited Package Deal! 🎟️

Looking for the perfect getaway and a chance to win big? From now until October 23rd, stop by our office to grab our exclusive $150 Package Deal!

🧧 Package Deal Includes:
• Two adult round-trip passenger tickets (valued at $134.00).
• An entry to win cash prizes of $10,000, $2,000, or $1,000! (valued at $100.00).

🗓️ Drawing Details:
• When: November 6th, 2026, at 2:00 PM
• Where: Castle Farms in Charlevoix, Michigan
• Note: You do not need to be present to win!

This raffle is proudly hosted by the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce, Charlevoix Area Chamber of Commerce, and East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce.

Don't miss out on your chance to cruise and win. Swing by and get your tickets today!

10/01/2026

Big news for your fall travel plans! On Monday, October 5th, 2026, the Beaver Island Boat Company is adding a second ferry departure.

𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟱𝘁𝗵:
𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗶𝘅 𝟴:𝟯𝟬𝗮𝗺 & 𝟮:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺
𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟭:𝟮𝟬𝗮𝗺 & 𝟱:𝟮𝟬𝗽𝗺

This makes it the perfect time to plan a memorable autumn day trip to Beaver Island!
🍁 Arrive an hour early (7:30 a.m.)
✨ Enjoy your time on Beaver Island from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
🚗 Vehicle reservation space is open for the 2:30 p.m. departure.
👫🚲 No reservations are required for passengers, bikes or pets!

09/25/2026

As of this writing, the Emerald Isle will not be going into dry dock this fall for its five-year inspection. Instead, the current plan is for the vessel to go in the spring. The current hull inspection does not expire until 30 June 2027, so the delay is not a cause for concern.

The shipyard that will perform the inspection and haul-out is currently tied up with another project that would cause at least a one-month delay from our original planned October trip. This means there will be a short service period in the spring during which the Beaver Islander will run in place of the Emerald Isle. We are working with the shipyard to keep that service period as brief as possible.

This winter the Emerald Isle will lay up in Charlevoix for a few planned winter projects. We will complete as much of the work as possible in Charlevoix rather than in dry dock in order to reduce the amount of time the vessel is out of service in the spring.

Send a message to learn more

09/23/2026

Join us for a weekend full of fun, and see why people fall inlove with Beaver Island.