Apostle Islands, Wisconsin: Kayak Through Sea Caves And Explore
Untamed Wilderness On Lake Superior
By Ben Jones|Published March 01, 2021|
Scattered like jewels in the cold blue waters of Lake Superior
are a collection of wild islands that locals simply call The
Apostles. Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands are a dream world, a place
filled with sea caves, deserted beaches, and old lighthouses
that still signal across waters littered with the wrecks of old
sailing schooners.
For visitors, reaching this pure, remote beauty takes a bit of
effort, but when you arrive at the islands, you’ll know why you
came here. You’ll see the reasons around every turn – in the
sculpted rock formations, in the rare and fragile wildflowers,
and in the delicate bird tracks that dance across otherwise
undisturbed sandy beaches. These islands will quickly become
your islands, and like the locals, you’ll soon just
call them the Apostles.
A lighthouse keeper who lived on Sand Island from 1892-1921
said that in this place, with all the wind and the sun, he
felt free.
There are 22 islands in the Apostles. With the exception of
the largest, Madeline Island, they are all part of the
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, protected from
development and kept as wild as they were a thousand years
ago. The islands include pristine areas of old-growth forest
that look much as they did when French explorers arrived in
the 1600s, searching for a path to the East Indies.
There are eight lighthouses in the Apostles, and all but two
of them are still in service.
In fact, there are more lighthouses here than in any other
National Park Service property. The lighthouses help boats
thread the passages between the islands.
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The islands have some incredible, untouched beaches like
this one on Outer Island that are favorite resting spots for
migratory birds.
There's a lot to explore on the islands. The Apostle Islands
National Lakeshore has nearly 70,000 acres of unspoiled
wilderness and the islands are home to some beautiful hiking
trails. Several of the islands also have campgrounds.
According to the National Park Service, one of the largest
concentrations of black bears in North American can be found
on Stockton Island.
While there are no official guided kayak tours offered by
the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, there are many
authorized kayak outfitters
in the region that offer half-day and full-day guided trips,
equipment rentals, and more.
Another unique sight among the Apostles is The Fedora, a
freighter that caught fire and sank in 1901 and can still be
seen lurking just below the waves.
There are numerous shipwrecks around the Apostles, including
pristine wrecks that appear frozen in time by the cold,
fresh water of Lake Superior. The wrecks are a common stop
for kayakers and cruises, but they are also popular with
divers looking to get even closer to the underwater relics.
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During the winter months, ice caves form along the
lakeshore, creating magical scenes.
Some years, there is not enough ice for the National Park
Service to allow people to safely visit the caves; however,
visitors should always check ahead before attempting to
access them.
When the caves are open, visitors flock to the islands to
see take in the natural wonder.
There are also several boardwalk paths as well as sandy
beaches that are ideal for walking. Two of the most popular
mainland trails are the Meyers Beach Sea Caves Trail, a
4.6-mile, moderately difficult trail, and the more
challenging Lakeshore Trail, an 11-mile out-and-back trek.
Out on the lake, Devils Island has some of the most dramatic
sea caves, as well as a colorful coastline to explore.
There are several short trails (all under one mile long)
surrounding the historic Devils Island Light, which can be
toured during the summer months.
Over on Sand Island, the Circumnavigation Trail is longer,
but lovely, leading you around the entire island. The trail
stretches for 15 miles total, but can be broken up into
shorter portions.
Madeline Island, though not part of the National Lakeshore,
is worth a visit too.
The Apostle Islands are located off the forested tip of
Northern Wisconsin, and the nearest mainland city is
Bayfield, a hamlet that's home to fewer than 500 people.
Bayfield is about a four-hour drive from Minneapolis or six
hours from Milwaukee. From Bayfield, there are several ways
you can get to the Apostles. You can take a car ferry to
Madeline Island, hop on
Apostle Islands Cruises
(an excursion tour boat) or hire a local charter boat. If
you're feeling adventurous, hire a sea kayak outfitter and
paddle your way into this rugged paradise. Keep in mind that
many of these outfitters require a short safety class before
you're allowed out on the lake without a guide.
No matter how you choose to explore the Apostle Islands, one
thing is certain: you will never forget them.
General Information about the Apostle Islands:
Accessibility: The National Park Service has
taken many measures to improve the accessibility of the islands,
including adding paved paths and boardwalks, accessible
campsites, and accessible features to the visitor centers. For
more information about accessible areas, click
here.
Pet Friendly: Leashed pets are allowed.
Parking: paid overnight parking ($10) is
available at the Apostle Islands Bayfield Headquarters.
Seasonal Access: The Islands are open all year
but are more challenging to access during the shoulder seasons
and winter. The ferry shuts down for a period of time each
winter when the ice prevents boats from crossing.
Cost: There’s no entrance fee, but there are
fees for camping and lighthouse tours.
