Ship spotting or ship watching is an extremely popular activity in the Great Lakes region. In some areas, enthusiasts gather in large numbers to watch vessel traffic come and go. Ship enthusiasts watch for bulk carriers, container ships, tugs and barges, and other large vessels.
Technological innovations have made real time vessel tracking possible. Access is usually via a smart phone and special app or any device with an internet connection and web browser.
Several locations around the Great Lakes provide outstanding opportunities for ship watching, photography, and other recreation.
A few of the most popular destinations include the Port of Duluth-Superior, the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie, the St. Marys, St. Clair, and Detroit Rivers, the Welland Locks, and the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence Seaway Visitor Center at the U.S. Eisenhower Lock. Public access points near major harbors are also popular.