5 Best Apostle Islands Kayak Tours (2024)
Taking a guided tour of the Apostle Islands is a very thrilling experience, allowing you to test your limits while taking in some amazing natural beauty – plus you’ll be under the care of an expert guide who will help to make sure you’re safe on the water.
As a Wisconsin local, the islands are one of my favourite spots, and I make sure to get out there kayaking at least once every summer.
This post will give you all the information you need to know about kayaking tours of the Apostle Islands, giving you some great insights into which tour is best for you!
There’s nothing worse than booking a tour and being let down, so I’ve put together a list of my personal favorites and all you need to do is choose one out of my list.
Best Apostle Islands Kayak Tours
Kayaking is one of the best ways of seeing the Apostle Islands and there are plenty of tour options on the market that will guide you on a paddling excursion of the lake.
There are plenty of half-day, full-day and even overnight excursions available for exploring the Apostle Islands and most sea kayaking companies offer more than one type of tour.
Here are some of the best Apostle Islands kayak tours that I could find and think you will love:
1. Trek & Trail Guided Sea Kayak Tours – Sand Island Full Day Tour
RATING: 4.5/5 | PRICE: $150+ per person
Trek & Trail provide a number of different kayaking packages around the Apostle Islands, with their full-day tours being great value for money. They even provide overnight excursions!
Their Sand Island Full Day Tour is a fabulous option for getting to explore the Apostle Islands and is offered daily. The tour invites you on a 7-hour excursion to explore the vastness of Lake Superior, paddling the whole way to Sand Island.
A highlight of the journey is paddling through some sea caves and exploring the fascinating geology that forms Sand Island.
When you arrive on the island, you will be taken through its history and cultural heritage, along with a discussion of the island’s unique ecosystems.
The tour is around 9 miles in total, so you’ll need plenty of energy to help you across, but a lunch break is included in the tour, giving you an opportunity to fuel up.
Transportation to and from Little Sand Bay is also included in the tour cost, allowing you to get to and from the excursion site care-free.
All participants are provided with a wetsuit, tandem sea kayaks, paddling equipment and a 30-minute paddling tutorial to help them get the hang of kayaking before heading out onto the open water.
The tour is suitable for everyone aged 14 years and older, but all minors (under 18) must complete the tour with an adult present. There are no weight limits for the tour either, but you should be mindful of if you will fit comfortably in the kayak.
Guests over 6 ft 5’ will likely be a bit cramped in the kayaks and will have restricted legroom, which is something to bear in mind.
Other than that, it’s an incredible company and my personal go-to whenever I want to go kayaking in the Apostle Islands.
2. Whitecap Kayak – Half Day Sea Caves Paddle
RATING: 5/5 | GROUP SIZE: 2-6 | PRICE: $70 per person
The Half Day Sea Caves Paddle offered by Whitecap Kayak has many excellent reviews and is a great tour that gives you an introduction to the Apostle Islands from the water.
With an experienced guide, you’ll get to explore one of the highlights of the Apostle Islands and paddle through some of the amazing caves of the National Lakeshore.
Kayaking tours with Whitecap Kayak launch from central Meyers Beach in Bayfield, a handy location to travel to.
The company focuses on personalized attention, ensuring that the tour is carried out in a small group of just 2-6 people so that expert coaching and safety are prioritised, giving you the best possible experience.
As with most tours, guests begin with a short lesson to ensure everyone is confident and comfortable on the water, before heading off on a 2.5-hour paddle along the shoreline to explore the natural beauty of the Apostle Islands.
You’ll get to admire the sandstone cliffs and shoreline sculpted by waves, wind, and ice, along with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore. For the Geographers out there, it’s a place you’ll find fascinating.
Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or a complete beginner, this tour offers an unforgettable opportunity to see the rugged landscapes of Lake Superior from a great vantage point and make some fabulous memories.
Whitecap Kayak requires all guests to be over 12 years old and has some suggested weight restrictions to consider. They ask that all participants weigh over 100 lbs and that if they weigh more than 270 lbs they should speak to the team before booking.
3. Lost Creek Adventures – Full Moon Kayak
RATING: 4.9/5 | GROUP SIZE: Max 6 | PRICE: $80 per person
Under the magic of a full moon, Lost Creek Adventure’s Full Moon Sea Caves Tour will give you an unforgettable experience of a lifetime.
The tour begins with a comprehensive kayak instruction session, ensuring everyone feels confident on the water, before launching from Cornucopia Beach at sunset.
With their experienced guide, guests paddle out to explore the mesmerizing sea caves at Romans Point.
As the moon rises, you’ll be led through the caves and arches, offering a breathtaking nighttime adventure.
The tour is available only three times per month, during the two nights before and the night of the full moon. Make sure you book in advance as the limited dates mean it often sells out in advance.
Throughout the trip, your guide will share insights on night vision and point out constellations to help orient you to the night sky.
This tour utilises tandem kayaks for added stability, so make sure to bring a friend or if you’re travelling solo then you’ll be paired up.
Safety is paramount on this tour, especially since it is in the dark. Lost Creek Adventures asks that you bring one headlamp or flashlight for every two people in your group. If you don’t have one, headlamps are available for purchase at their shop.
The tour runs from 8 PM to 11 PM and is designed for adult-sized paddlers only, requiring participants to be at least 14 years old and 115 lbs.
4. Meyers Beach Kayaking – Meyers Beach Sea Cave Tour
RATING: 4.9/5 | GROUP SIZE: Max 6 | PRICE: $65-108 per person
The Meyers Beach Sea Cave Tour offered by Meyers Beach Kayaking is an exciting tour option that would be perfect for an adventurous family.
The experience begins with a one-mile paddle from Meyers Beach to the first cave, with sights of sea stacks, tunnel caves and sea arches along the way. You’ll then tour a series of several caves, formed by historical ice formations and processes.
The geology is very impressive and there is no better way of seeing it than from a kayak.
The reason this tour is perfect for families is that the company provides triple kayaks, allowing children as young as 5-years-old to paddle in the middle hatch.
You can also customize the tour and choose whether to opt for a 2-hour or 4-hour experience. The shorter option covers 4 miles in total.
If you wish to book the 4-hour tour which covers a longer distance and allows you to explore even more sea caves then you need to make sure to book as a group of 4-6 people.
The weight limit that Meyers Beach Kayaking imposes on this tour is 265 lbs and a height restriction of 7 ft.
5. The Northwest Passage – Apostle Islands Kayak Adventure
RATING: 4.5/5 | GROUP SIZE: Small | PRICE: $750 per person
Last but by no means least, The Northwest Passage’s Apostle Islands Kayak Adventure offers guests the amazing opportunity to explore Lake Superior over a number of days and make the most of their time on the water.
The experience lasts for 5 days and 4 nights with most expenses covered, including camping equipment, meals, permits and kayaking gear. You’ll need to cover your own clothing, wetsuit, sleeping bag and mat and your transportation to and from the starting point.
Here is a shortened itinerary of what you can expect from the Apostle Islands Kayak Adventure:
Day 1: Meet in Little Sand Bay for paddling instruction, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at a local campground.
Day 2: Paddle to an inner island (Sand or Oak), set up camp, and enjoy hiking or extra paddling.
Day 3: Paddle to another island, typically stopping at York and Raspberry Islands on the way, and explore sea caves if weather permits.
Day 4: A day of exploration, taking full advantage of Lake Superior’s beauty.
Day 5: Paddle back to the mainland, aiming to return by noon.
During the excursion you’ll get to bond with your campmates and work as a team, all completing camp tasks and chores. You’ll also share a tent with some of your fellow guests.
Northwest Passage state that this experience is suitable for anyone that fits their weight and height requirements and has rated the tour as a skill rating of 2 (moderate), which would suggest you will need some experience, but it’s definitely not their most difficult tour.
All participants must also be able to swim.
For 5 days of kayaking, this is certainly a really great deal and you’ll hopefully make some unforgettable memories while exploring the lake and its many islands, as well as some new friends!
FAQs
Below are some commonly asked questions related to Apostle Islands kayak tours along with my expert answers.
The best island to kayak at Apostle Islands is Sand Island. It features stunning sea caves, diverse wildlife, and an accessible shoreline, making it a favorite for paddlers seeking adventure and natural beauty.
Yes, you can kayak the Apostle Islands without a guide but to hire kayaking equipment from most local companies you are required to complete a training session to ensure your safety on the water.
Yes, it is safe to kayak around the Apostle Islands and most tours run year-round. If you are a beginner or apprehensive about kayaking on the lake then you should definitely opt to take a guided tour where experts can help to provide you with more security, making your experience more enjoyable.
The best time to kayak the Apostle Islands is from late June to early September. During these months, the weather is warm, the water is calmer, and guided tours are more readily available.
Conclusion: Kayak Tours Apostle Islands
Paddling in a kayak is one of the best ways of experiencing the Apostle Islands, especially its unique cave networks littered along the mainland’s coastline and on the shores of many of the islands.
With many different tour types on offer, suitable for a range of skill sets, ages and group sizes, it can be hard to choose which operator to go with when deciding on a kayaking tour, but hopefully you’ll have found something amazing on my list of the best Apostle Island kayak tours.
Remember, my personal recommendation is the first one, the Sand Island Full Day Tour.
The important thing to remember is that opting for a tour is the safest option if you’re apprehensive about heading out onto the open water or you don’t have much experience.
The expert tour guides on the excursions are happy to help and will fill you with lots of confidence while making sure that you’re safe on the water.
No matter which option you choose to go for, I hope you have an amazing time paddling on one of the USA’s most beautiful lakes and make some incredible memories!
And while you’re near the Apostle Islands, why not try some of the best hikes on the islands? They’re incredible!
More Wandering Michigan Wisconsin
11 Best Hot Springs in Wisconsin
Green Bay Spa: 5 Best Options (2024)
7 Clearest Lakes in Wisconsin
The 7 Best Rodeos in Wisconsin to Visit in 2024
11 Best Things to Do Near Chetek Wisconsin
15 Fun Things to Do in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin
15 Things to Do in Oxford Wisconsin in 2024 From a Local
15 Things to Know Before Moving to Wisconsin
Central Wisconsin Travel Guide: Things To Do & More (2024)
Central Wisconsin State Fair: Ultimate Guide 2024
10 Best Places To See Christmas Lights In Madison Wisconsin (2024)
Door County Fall Fest: Everything To Know For 2024
9 Best Wild Rose Wisconsin VRBOs
