Mackinac Island Swim Event Details
Everything you need to know about swimming 8.2 miles around Mackinac Island
Overview of the Mackinac Island Swim
The Mackinac Island Swim is a fully supported open water swimming event that circles Mackinac Island in Northern Michigan. The course covers roughly 8.2 miles of fresh water and is designed as a personal challenge, not a traditional race.
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Swimmers are supported on land and at sea by experienced safety personnel throughout the entire event. Whether you’re swimming solo or tackling the island as part of a relay team, the goal is the same: steady progress, smart preparation, and getting all the way around the island.
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This event isn’t about finishing places or chasing anyone else’s pace. It’s about showing up prepared, staying persistent, and sharing the experience of swimming around one of Michigan’s most iconic landmarks.
The 8.2-Mile Course Around Mackinac Island
The course follows the shoreline of Mackinac Island in a loop around the island, covering approximately 8.2 miles of open water. We get asked a lot why it’s 8.2 miles — and what’s with the small loop at the beginning. The short answer: Mackinac Island has an 8.2-mile “around-the-island” loop because that’s the length of the shoreline route along State Highway M-185 (Lake Shore Boulevard/Drive). It’s basically the island’s signature lap.
The slightly longer answer is that swimmers aren’t allowed to pass through the harbor — mostly because that’s where the ferries live, and getting run over by one wouldn’t be the kind of excitement we’re aiming for on event day. So instead, the route begins near the Grand Hotel and after a one-mile loop, moves clockwise around the island, finishing at Mission Point on the southeast corner of Mackinac Island.
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Swimmers enter the water in small groups until all 400+ participants are underway, then move steadily around the island, staying close enough to shore to feel connected and oriented, but far enough out to keep the swim moving smoothly. One of the unique aspects of this event is how spectator-friendly it is. Much of the course runs alongside the island’s shoreline bike path, allowing support staff, friends, family members, and even curious pedestrians to follow along and cheer swimmers on for nearly the entire swim.
Conditions can vary throughout the morning and are very weather-dependent — which, quite frankly, isn’t always easy to predict in the Mackinac Straits. Some stretches feel calm and rhythmic, while others serve as a reminder that you’re swimming in a big, beautiful body of water. That variability is part of the experience.
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The west side of the island is a bit deeper than the east side, but thanks to the remarkable clarity of Lake Huron, swimmers can see the lake bottom for much of the swim. Kayakers, safety boats, and event staff are positioned throughout the course to provide guidance, support, and encouragement along the way. You’re never just “out there” on your own — even when it feels quiet, there’s always a team nearby keeping an eye on things.
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Two on-shore aid stations are available along the course, located near mile 3.5 and mile 6, providing additional support as swimmers make their way around the island.
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view the full course maps here
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Safety Support and On-Water Assistance
Safety at the Mackinac Island Swim is built on layers — not just one plan and a crossed set of fingers. The event is supported by more than 20 lifeguards positioned on boats, in kayaks, and on land as the swim unfolds around the island. We also staff our own licensed paramedics and EMTs who roam the island throughout the morning, along with medical personnel stationed at each on-shore aid station.
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On the water, kayakers, safety boats operated by experienced local captains support the swim, and the event is permitted through the U.S. Coast Guard, with an official Coast Guard vessel patrolling during the event. Local emergency services are fully aware of the swim and stay in direct radio contact, so help is never more than a quick call away.
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While this isn’t a race, we do use a timing system specifically to keep tabs on swimmers entering and exiting the water, with additional checks at relay exchange points and staff moving around the island as another set of eyes. And for swimmers who prefer an extra layer of reassurance, personal kayaker support is welcome — and swimmers without a wetsuit are required to have either kayak support or designated land support arranged in advance.
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In short, you’re here to take on a challenge. We’re here to quietly make sure everything runs safely in the background.
Event Morning Logistics & Ferry Transportation
Who this swim is for
Event morning is carefully coordinated, but designed to feel calm and straightforward for swimmers. Whether you’re staying on Mackinac Island or arriving from the mainland, logistics are planned ahead of time to account for the different starting points and travel needs. For participants and support crews coming from the mainland, scheduled ferry transportation brings everyone to the island, with event staff on hand to help guide the process from arrival through staging.
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From check-in to getting swimmers into the water, the focus is on keeping things organized without making the morning feel rushed or chaotic. Swimmers enter the water two at a time, allowing the event to start smoothly and safely as everyone gets underway. Once you’re in the water, the logistics fade into the background and the focus shifts to settling into your swim and moving steadily around the island.
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Detailed timing, ferry information, and step-by-step event morning guidance are shared well in advance so swimmers & kayakers know what to expect before they arrive. If you like to plan ahead, we’ve got you covered — and if you don’t, there will be plenty of friendly, knowledgeable people around to point you in the right direction.​​
The Mackinac Island Swim is for swimmers who enjoy a challenge, appreciate good planning, and don’t need a finish-line clock to feel accomplished. Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds — pool swimmers, triathletes, open-water veterans, first-time long-distance swimmers, and plenty of people somewhere in between.
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Some swimmers train for months with a detailed plan. Others show up with solid fitness, a calm mindset, and a healthy respect for the distance. Many choose to take on the course as part of a relay team, sharing the experience (and the effort) with friends or family. All of those approaches fit here.
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This event is a good match for swimmers who value preparation, patience, and persistence — and who understand that swimming 8.2 miles around an island is about the experience itself, not how you stack up against anyone else. If you’re looking for a welcoming, well-supported open-water challenge in a spectacular setting, you’ll feel right at home.
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Giving Back
The Mackinac Island Swim is more than an endurance event — it’s also a fundraiser. We’re proud to support the Mackinaw Woman’s Club as our primary beneficiary, while also contributing to other causes throughout the year that align with our mission and values.
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The majority of fundraising happens through optional donations during registration and through activities on event weekend itself. Registration fees are intentionally structured to cover the actual costs of producing the event, including staffing, permits, insurance, safety support, medals, event swag, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly.
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Additional funds are raised during event weekend through a fundraising event hosted by the Mackinaw Woman’s Club, which includes merchandise sales, raffles, and auction items. Our sponsors play an important role as well, contributing time, financial support, and in-kind donations that help maximize the overall impact.
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At its core, this event is about swimming around an incredible place — and giving something back to the community that makes it possible.
Registration Options & Categories
The Mackinac Island Swim offers a few different ways to participate, depending on how you’d like to take on the challenge. Swimmers may complete the full loop as a solo swimmer or share the experience as part of a relay team. Both options are fully supported and designed to emphasize preparation, safety, and the overall experience rather than competition.
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Solo swimmers are welcome to swim as much of the course as they choose. While many aim to complete the full 8.2-mile loop, others may decide partway through that their day is complete. In those cases, swimmers are responsible for getting themselves to the finish area on foot or with assistance from their designated support crew once they exit the water.
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Relay teams allow swimmers to divide the distance into manageable segments while still being part of the full event. Relay exchanges are coordinated at designated points along the course, with staff on hand to help keep everything organized and moving smoothly.
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Registration details, category descriptions, and any required support arrangements are clearly outlined during the registration process so swimmers can choose the option that best fits their goals and comfort level. If you’re unsure which category makes the most sense for you, we’re always happy to help point you in the right direction.
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Kayaker and Support Options
Kayaker support is optional for most swimmers, but many participants choose to bring a kayaker for added support, pacing help, or peace of mind during the swim. We strongly encourage that any kayaker assisting a swimmer has open-water experience and is comfortable operating independently during the event.
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Swimmers choosing to swim without a wetsuit are required to have either kayak support or designated land support arranged in advance. This additional layer of support provides extra eyes and ears for swimmers who may be more susceptible to cold-water exposure over longer distances, helping identify early signs of hypothermia and ensuring assistance is readily available if a swimmer exits the water before completing their intended distance.
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The event does not provide kayakers. Swimmers who choose to bring their own kayaker are required to pay an $89 kayaker support fee, which helps cover the additional costs associated with having a kayaker on course, including kayak transportation, event insurance, and the post-swim meal. This fee does NOT include kayak rental. Kayak rental options are arranged separately and typically become available in the spring, with details shared by email and posted on the website once those options are finalized.
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2026 Registration Pricing
Individual Swimmers - $299 thru Feb 28
March 1 – June 30: $349
July 1 – August 17: $399
Swimmers 18 and under receive $50 off the listed individual rate.
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Relay Teams - $249 thru Feb 28 (pricing is per swimmer)
March 1 – June 30: $299
July 1 – August 17: $349
Relay teams may include 2–6 swimmers
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During registration on RunSignUp, the swimmer who creates the relay team will initially be charged the individual rate. Once another relay team member registers, a $50 refund will be automatically applied so that all relay swimmers pay the correct relay price.
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Kayakers - $89
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