Grand Traverse Bay

[3] The bay is located within parts of the Michigan counties of Antrim, Charlevoix, Grand Traverse, and Leelanau.

Traverse City is situated at the south end of the bay where the Boardman River empties into the west arm.

The most notable feature of the bay is that it is bisected into East[7] and West[8] arms by the Old Mission Peninsula.

Northport Bay open to the east, except inside the arms at each end, with the Leelanau Peninsula on the West side.

The urban core of Traverse City is located at the head of the West Arm.

Besides cherries, the surrounding countryside produces grapes and is one of the centers of the Michigan wine industry.

Known for its shimmering blue water and golden sand beaches, the Grand Traverse Bay region is a popular vacation destination.

Close-up satellite view of the Grand Traverse Bay, oriented with north at the top. Note the East and West arms of the bay, divided by the Old Mission Peninsula.
The Grand Traverse Lighthouse at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula , which anchors the bay to the west.
Power Island is the largest island in the bay, seen here from Chateau Chantal on the Old Mission Peninsula
West Grand Traverse Bay from Traverse City, facing Greilickville.
An inferior mirage over the bay
TS State of Michigan at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City, on the shore of the bay