North Point Marina Announcement: 2026 Boating Season.
The Village of Winthrop Harbor is pleased to announce that SkipperBud's will serve as the operator of North Point Marina for the upcoming boating season.
SkipperBud's: A trusted partner steps into marina operations.
SkipperBud's is already a familiar and trusted presence along our harbor, having supported the boating community for years through sales, service, and maintenance. Their transition into day-to-day marina operations brings experienced management, continuity, and a team that understands both the needs of boaters and the marina's importance to the surrounding community.
This development also expands an already strong partnership with the Village. SkipperBud's has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to Winthrop Harbor and to Lake Michigan's boating culture, and their involvement ensures that slip holders, visitors, charter captains, and local businesses can count on dependable service and a positive experience. The Village is confident their knowledge and professionalism will enhance operations while preserving the welcoming atmosphere that makes our lakefront special.
A swift and collaborative resolution.
The Village extends sincere thanks to the dedicated public officials who acted quickly and effectively to resolve an unexpected issue. Governor Pritzker's office and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources delivered a swift and sensible solution, but it was our local legislators who spearheaded the effort.
Representative Joyce Mason and State Senator Mary Edly-Allen worked every angle, contacting everyone who could help. Their tireless work brought certainty to our residents, employees, and local businesses, and it is fair to say that without their help, this announcement would not be possible.
Over the past several weeks, frequent communications, coordination calls, and ongoing meetings brought together the Village, state officials, marina stakeholders, business partners, and operators. Many individuals worked behind the scenes to share information, coordinate next steps, and chart a path forward that kept operations running without interruption. The outcome reflects genuine collaboration and a shared understanding of the marina's importance to the region.
A community within the community.
North Point Marina is more than a destination. It is a community within the community. Charter captains, service providers, restaurants, hospitality partners, employees, and boaters form an interconnected network that supports Winthrop Harbor's identity and local economy.
We are delighted to welcome visitors back for the 2026 boating season and to once again open our lakefront to boaters and guests from across the Midwest. The Village looks forward to a vibrant and successful season, and we thank our residents, partners, and the entire boating community for their continued support of Winthrop Harbor.
A place so good, we made a music video about it.
How do you capture what makes North Point Marina special? You can list the facts: the largest marina on the Great Lakes, 1,500 floating slips tucked into Illinois Beach State Park, a protected harbor positioned perfectly between Chicago and Milwaukee, 6.5 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline at your bow. You can mention the pool, the on-site dining at Tropics, and the walking trails through 4,160 acres of preserve.
You can talk about Harbor Brewing Co.'s Lakefront Biergarten right on the property, voted Best Biergarten by The Daily Herald two years running, pouring craft beer brewed just up the road, with a view of the water that makes every pint taste a little better. And the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club, perched at the harbor mouth with sweeping Lake Michigan views, hosting everything from weddings and anniversaries to corporate retreats and themed member parties. Open to non-members for events, too.
But honestly? Words only get you so far.
That's why the Village of Winthrop Harbor's marketing team did something a little different. They made a music video. Harbor of Love is our love letter to this place: the boaters who treat their dockmates like family, the kids cannonballing off the swim deck, the live music drifting over from the biergarten on a Friday night, the quiet mornings when the lake is glass and the only sound is your coffee mug clinking against the rail. It's the feeling you can't quite put into a brochure.
Press play, turn it up, and we think you'll understand why so many people call North Point home for the season, and why a lot of them never want to leave the dock.
Make North Point your marina.
Return to the harbor you know and keep your slip at North Point Marina, an accessible, safe, and affordable destination where boating is easy, dependable, and enjoyable. Set within a tranquil shoreline setting and surrounded by Illinois Beach State Park's more than 4,100 acres of protected shoreline, dunes, and natural habitat, the marina offers a roomy, unhurried atmosphere so you spend less time navigating crowds and more time on the water. Smooth access to Lake Michigan, nearby services, and a welcoming boating community make every trip simple from dock to horizon.
The partners who make our harbor thrive.
North Point Marina is powered by an interconnected network of operators, businesses, and partners who keep our lakefront vibrant year after year. Get to know the people and organizations who serve our boating community.
SkipperBud's
Serving as the operator of North Point Marina for the 2026 boating season. A trusted, long-time partner of the Winthrop Harbor community, SkipperBud's brings years of experience in sales, service, and marina management to day-to-day operations.
Visit SkipperBud's at North Point
Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club
Perched at the harbor mouth with sweeping Lake Michigan views, WHYC hosts everything from weddings and anniversaries to corporate retreats and themed member parties. Open to non-members for events, too.
Visit Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club
North Point Charter Boat Association
A community of professional charter captains operating out of North Point Marina, offering Lake Michigan fishing experiences and on-water adventures for visitors and locals alike.
Visit on Facebook
Harbor Brewing Co. Lakefront Biergarten
Voted Best Biergarten by The Daily Herald two years running. Pouring craft beer brewed just up the road, with a lakefront view that makes every pint taste a little better, right on the marina property.
Visit Lakefront Biergarten
The Tropics at North Point Marina
On-site dining at the marina, serving boaters and guests with a tropical lakefront atmosphere. Whether you're docking for lunch or settling in for dinner with a view, The Tropics is part of what makes North Point feel like a getaway.
Visit The TropicsWelcome back to the lakefront for 2026.
North Point Marina is more than a destination. It's an interconnected network of charter captains, service providers, restaurants, hospitality partners, employees, and boaters that supports Winthrop Harbor's identity and local economy.
The Village of Winthrop Harbor is delighted to welcome visitors back for the 2026 boating season and looks forward to a vibrant and successful summer on Lake Michigan.
Invest where Chicago and Milwaukee come to play.
Winthrop Harbor — home to North Point Marina on Lake Michigan's shore — is open for quality commercial development.
Restaurants, retail, and hospitality brands: your built-in audience is already here every weekend.
Let's build something worthy of the view.
The Village extends sincere thanks to those who made this possible.
For tireless advocacy and working every angle to bring certainty to our community.
For spearheading the effort and contacting everyone who could help.
For delivering a swift and sensible solution alongside the IDNR.
For acting quickly to resolve an unexpected issue.