According to the “ Blue Mind Theory ” coined by marine biologist Dr . Wallace J . Nichols , spending time near , in , under or on the water enhances your well-being . Who knew that being around water could improve your mood , and even stimulate your creative side ?
Probably just about everyone who ’ s ever heard the waves lapping against the shoreline or felt the warm breezes coming off Lake Erie .
The bay also provides plenty of visual delights , when the afternoon sun hits the water just right and the lake sparkles like a field of diamonds .
Of course , if you want to spend time on the water , there are the usual activities of swimming and fishing , but if you ’ re a person who doesn ’ t know how to bait a hook and you don ’ t really like getting wet , there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the water .
Sailing is a wonderful way to be on the water without having to get soaked — except for an occasional spray of water . Sailing can be exciting and invigorating , or calming and peaceful , depending on the company and the weather .
In Millcreek , Presque Isle Bay is at our doorstep , where sailing season lasts from about mid-April to mid-October . Lake Erie is especially ideal for sailing because unlike many Pennsylvania lakes , there are no mountains or large hills blocking the wind .
Did you know that you can sail from Lake Erie to the Atlantic Ocean ? The Erie Canal is a popular route to the ocean , although there are alternates .
If you don ’ t happen to own a sailboat , and you ’ re not an experienced sailor , there ’ s another option to enjoy sailing . Your Sailing Adventure is a charter sailboat company located in Erie . Captain Scott Hitz is an experienced sailor with a seasoned crew who will make sure you enjoy your day on the water .
With a charter crew , you really won ’ t need any prior knowledge of sailing , but you may want to learn a little about it to enjoy the experience more . The American Sailing Association offers an online Intro to Sailing course that takes about two to four days to complete and costs $ 59 . You will get a certificate , but more importantly , you may discover a passion for the sport . You can access the course at asa . com .
If you have children , you might see an interactive show at Scallywags Pirate Adventures . This 90-minute experience has talented adult actors who enlist the kids in searching the bay for treasure and participating in a ship-to-ship water cannon battle . The boat resembles a pirate ship and docks at State Street . It ’ s designed for children , ages 3 and up , and there ’ s a cash bar for the adults .
Scallywags offers its pirate adventure cruises in spring , summer and fall , and they are surprisingly affordable . If you ’ re looking for a way to engage your whole family , this might be a fun activity .
If you still need more ideas , how about you go fly a kite — a kite at Sunset Point Beach , that is . Located in Presque Isle State Park , Sunset Point has sandy beaches , picnic benches , and grills in case you work up an appetite chasing after your kite .
The wind on Lake Erie is great for kite flying most days because it ’ s very smooth , with fewer wind gusts . Sunset Point is so popular for this activity that many just call it “ Kite Beach .”
Don ’ t be surprised if flying a kite takes a bit of practice . Some kites even require more than one person to fly , which makes them ideal for a group or family activity .
If you go to Kite Beach and the weather is nice , you may notice a group of happy people flying a kaleidoscope of colors . They ’ re most likely the Sunset Point Kite Flyers , who have been coming to this beach for 30 years . They have a Facebook page if you are new to kite flying , and they ’ ll probably be happy to give you some advice .
You may want to order a kite online , but there are local bait shops and sporting goods stores that sell them where you might make a better choice .
You don ’ t have to be a fisherman , a swimmer or even athletic to enjoy the water . And you may even discover you ’ re enjoying life a little more . n
Some Helpful Websites
For Presque Isle State Park , visit dcnr . pa . gov .
For Your Sailing Adventure , visit yoursailingadventure . com .
For Scallywags Pirate Adventures , visit scallywagspirateadventures . com .
MILLCREEK ❘ SPRING 2025 47