Apostle Islands Kayaking

Apostle Islands Kayaking Itinerary:

Show more for all days

• Day 1 Welcome to Lake Superior! Meet your guide and fellow paddlers for orientation and lunch before setting off for Sand Island.

  Our adventure begins near the quaint and historic town of Bayfield, WI. You may choose to take advantage of the included transfer from Duluth, MN at 7:30am (see Transfers section below) at 7:30am or travel to Bayfield on your own to meet your guides and group at 10:00am at Little Sand Bay (approximately 5.5 miles outside of Bayfield, WI). Upon your arrival in Little Sand Bay, look for your guides and gear at the beach near the National Park Service office. We'll spend some time on introductions, show you how to pack your single kayak, and give you an orientation of what to expect during your adventure. After lunch and a bit of paddling instruction, we'll launch and paddle our way to Sand Island in the Apostle Island archipelago. A campfire and a delicious dinner await before our first night under the stars. Lunch and dinner included.

  Kayaking: 3 miles

• Day 2 Explore the amazing sea caves and enjoy the beauty of the Islands!

  We'll start our day with a delicious camp breakfast before preparing our kayaks for today's excursion. Today, conditions permitting, our adventure takes us to the Sand Island sea caves. The sea caves draw visitors to the lake's shores year-round, as they are a remarkable feat of natural forces. After exploring the caves, we'll continue on our way to Justice Bay. A casual hike to the Sand Island lighthouse (considered by many to be the most beautiful of Lake Superior's lighthouses) from Justice Bay allows us to enjoy the forest and spectacular vistas along the shoreline. All meals included.

  Kayaking: 4-6 miles; Hiking: 2 miles

• Day 3 Discover the smaller islands of York & Raspberry, before ending on Oak Island during our 12 miles of gorgeous kayaking.

  After another hearty breakfast, we'll embark upon our longest day of kayaking, paddling 10-12 miles by with possible stops along the way. We'll start out by paddling from Sand Island past York Island, before heading to Raspberry Island for a lunch break. Upon arrival at Raspberry Island, we'll enjoy a leisurely walk to the lighthouse for a tour and picnic lunch. We will finish the day with a pleasant paddle to Oak Island. A campfire and dinner wrap up our third day of adventure! All meals included.

  Kayaking: 10-12 miles; Hiking 2 miles

• Day 4 A final morning kayak past multi-colored cliffs and a wreck as we return to the mainland and bid farewell to your new friends.

  Although all adventures must come to an end, we'll finish up this trip in style! We'll begin our journey back to the mainland on the early side, and upon reaching the mainland, we'll paddle along multi-colored cliffs and see the Fedora shipwreck. We anticipate returning to Bayfield about 11:00 a.m, where the guides will help you unpack your boats. A shuttle service to your vehicle, the Duluth International Airport or the Country Inn & Suites Hotel are included. If flying out this evening, please book your flight for 5:30 p.m. or later. Breakfast and lunch included.

  Kayaking: 7 miles

Permit reservations for the year are made in January. The route may vary to start in Bayfield and end in Little Sand Bay. Camping would be on Oak Island for Days 1 and 2 and Sand Island for Day 3. Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule above, the itinerary is subject to change due to permitting restrictions or for numerous reasons beyond our control, including weather and terrain.

Contact REI Adventures prior to purchasing your airline tickets to confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate.

Professional instruction and guiding; all meals as noted in the daily itinerary; 3 nights camping accommodation; kayaks, including all kayaking equipment; park and permit fees; one transfer to and from airport upon request.

Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point or transfer pickup point; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities, and items of a personal nature.

Duluth International Airport (DLH) – 1 hr 45 min
International Airport (MSP) – 4 hr

There will be a transfer provided from the Duluth Airport to Bayfield leaving at 7:30 am on Day 1, as well as a return transfer to Duluth at trip's end. Please let us know your intention on utilizing this service on the Personal Travel Information form in your trip info packet.

This trip is rated Moderate Plus [3-4] as we plan to kayak 4-6 hours per day in calm to moderately rough conditions. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure. Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

Daytime temperatures usually range between 50° - 80° F, with evening temperatures dropping to the 40s - 60s, depending on the month. Evening temperatures may dip to 40°in early June and late September. You may encounter cool and rainy conditions, including fog and wind so adequate raingear is important.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Gear Checklist