Les Cheneaux Islands (French: meaning "The Channel Islands") are a group of 36 small islands, some inhabited, along 12 miles of Lake Huron shoreline on the southeastern tip of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the United States. The name is French for the channels, noting the many channels between the islands in the group. They are about 30 miles north and east of the Straits of Mackinac and about 35 miles south of Sault Ste. Marie. The islands are a popular resort and boating and kayaking area. The nearby communities of Hessel and Cedarville on the mainland offer marinas, camping, lodging, restaurants, and shopping. The Les Chenaux Islands Antique Boat Show & Festival of the Arts has been held on the second Saturday of each August since 1976 in Hessel. It is the world's largest antique wooden boat show.
The island chain forms many bays, harbors, and inland lakes, including:
Bass Cove Lake
Bush Bay
Cedarville Bay
Duck Bay
Flower Bay
Government Bay
Marquette Bay
McCay Bay
Mismer Bay
Muscallonge Bay
Peck Bay
Prentiss Bay
Sand Bay
Scammons Harbor
Sheppard Bay
Urie Bay
Voight Bay
Wilderness Bay
From Lake Huron, there are four major entrances to access the islands:
East Entrance (Between Boot Island and Strongs Island)
Middle Entrance (Between Marquette Island and Little La Salle Island)
West Entrance (between Point Brulee and Marquette Island, main entrance to Hessel)
The fourth entrance, though unnamed on official charts, is often known as "Yacht Entrance," named for the many yachts that access Government Bay for overnight anchorage.
Les Cheneaux Ensign Class: Fleet 31
The Les Cheneaux Islands are home to fleet 31 of the Ensign Class. The fleet sails out of the Les Cheneaux Yacht Club[1] located on Marquette Island. It is the largest fleet of ensigns worldwide, featuring 64 boats sailing as of summer 2008. Fleet 31[2] hosted the 2008 Ensign Class Region V Championships on July 10-12, 2008.
