On my first visit to Ashland, Wisconsin my friend and I booked an Apostle Islands cruise. The weather didn’t agree and our cruise got cancelled so we never got to see the Apostle Islands up close or the iconic sea caves on Devil’s Island. Four years later, I finally returned to Ashland and the weather cooperated. During my cruise, we sailed by 21 of the 22 islands, taking in fantastic views the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
If you’re heading to Ashland, Wisconsin, you should absolutely look to take your own Apostle Island cruise. It’s one of the most convenient ways to see the islands and the best sights. In this post, I’ll cover everything you need to know about taking a cruise around the Apostle Islands.
About the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore
Wisconsin does not have a national park, but we do have a gorgeous national lakeshore. The Apostle Islands National Lakeshore consists of 22 small islands in Lake Superior, just off the shores of Bayfield in northern Wisconsin. The islands feature unique sea caves making them incredibly picturesque.
So why are they called the Apostle Islands? Jesus had 12 apostles, but there’s 22 islands. That doesn’t make a lot of sense. Well here’s the thing, no one is really sure how these islands got their name and what the significance is. One theory is that European settlers came to this area and saw the islands. Since they tended to use biblical references in their names, the thought is they saw the islands, noticed there were at least 12 of them, and decided to call this area the Apostle Islands. Though that’s just one theory, it’s a theory that I really enjoy.
Choosing an Apostle Islands Cruise
Apostle Islands Cruises offers three tours. There’s the Stockton Island & Michigan Island Tours that focuses on these two islands. Another tour focuses on Oak Island and Raspberry Island. On both of these tours, you’ll be able to get off the boat and step foot on the islands.
However, the most popular cruise is the Grand Tour. Starting from Bayfield, you’ll head north toward Madeline Island and work your way through the archipelago until finally reaching Devil’s Island (and the famous sea caves). From there, you’ll continue your loop around through the islands before returning to Bayfield. This is the cruise I took and the cruise most of this article will focus on.
Regardless of which cruise you choose, it can be a good idea to book your cruise online in advance. The boats can only hold so many people, they can sell out, especially during particularly busy weekends.
Learn more about the Apostle Islands Cruise offerings and book your ticket at the official website.
Apostle Islands Grand Tour Cruise
On a clear day, the Grand Tour Cruise of the Apostle Islands will take you past 21 of the 22 islands. You’ll also see Madeline Island which, while not technically one of the Apostle Islands, is the largest island in the region. You won’t be able to get off the boat to explore any of the islands, but you’ll be able to see the islands from the boat, and that includes the iconic sea caves.
Arrive in Bayfield early. Yes, you will want to be at the dock on time (more on this in just a minute), but you also need to find parking. On the Main Street, parking is limited to two hours, but on most of the side streets, parking is free and doesn’t have the two hour limit. I visited on Memorial Day Weekend and took the first tour of the day. Things weren’t super busy in downtown Bayfield yet, so I had no problem finding a place to park.
If you’re cruising later in the day, you may want to give yourself extra time to make sure you can park legally and get to your tour. There is very, very, very limited parking near the dock so you’ll likely have to park further away and walk.
When you book your cruise, the instructions will tell you to be at the dock 20 minutes before departure. I’d suggest going even earlier. I arrived at 9:35 for a 10:00 cruise and the line was already winding its way down the dock. While everyone will get a seat, obviously those who board earlier will get the best seats. I was traveling solo, so I could make things work and get a decent spot, but if you’re traveling with at least one other person, make sure to get their early so you can get a good seat.
What is a good seat? I don’t think there are any bad seats on the boat, but some are better than others. At the top sights, including the sea caves, the captain will spin the boat around to make sure that everyone gets a good view, regardless of which side of the boat you’re sitting on.
That said, I think that overall, the best views are on the left side of the boat. Whether it’s warm enough to be on the top deck or it’s a cooler day and you want to be on the enclosed lower deck, I recommend trying to get a seat on the left side of the boat because the views were just better on that side.
Throughout the entire journey, the captain provides live narration about what you’re seeing. Each island has a story, whether that’s about the nature, history, or the people who lived there. I think it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that all of the islands are the same, but each island has something special and unique about it. That was something that I really appreciated from this tour. Sure the sights were great, but the added narration from the captain helped to differentiate the islands and make each one special.
As I mentioned, as you pass by the most iconic sights, the captain will stop and spin the boat around, making sure that every person can get a good view (and some nice photos). The most notable stops are the sea caves at Devil’s Island, the lighthouse on Raspberry Island (though you’ll stop for a few lighthouses), and the sea caves and rock formations along Hermit Island.
The entire tour lasts about 2.5 hours, but it could take as long as 3 hours, depending on weather and the sea conditions.
Is an Apostle Islands Cruise Worth It?
In my opinion, yes. Don’t get me wrong, there are some great views throughout mainland Wisconsin, but I think that a cruise of the Apostle Islands gives you a different perspective. By getting out into Lake Superior, you can see the sea caves up close and appreciate the beauty of this part of Wisconsin.
What Happens if the Weather is Bad?
If the weather doesn’t look the greatest, keep an eye on your phone. Cruises can (and do) get cancelled if the conditions are not safe. On my first visit to Ashland, the weather did not cooperate and our Apostle Islands cruise got cancelled. It stinks if this happens, but the Great Lakes can be vicious and have claimed many ships, so safety has to come first.
And yes, while your cruise ticket is nonrefundable, you will be refunded if the cruise line cancels the cruise due to weather.
What to Bring on Your Cruise
The biggest recommendation I can give is layers. The boat will take you out into Lake Superior and it is significantly colder there than it is on the mainland. Additionally, you’ll be cruising at about 25 miles per hour. Yes, there is enclosed seating on the lower deck of the boat, but on cold days, it can get busy down there.
I took my cruise on Memorial Day weekend. Highs in Bayfield and Ashland were in the low 60s. It was sunny and the perfect temperature for hiking and walking around town. Out on Lake Superior (particularly in the north toward Devil’s Island), it was freezing. I wore a long sleeve shirt, fleece, jacket, and had my winter hat and gloves and I was still cold. A warm blanket would have been a fantastic idea (I was a bit envious of the people next to me). Make sure you dress appropriately for your cruise.
Consider bringing some snacks on board. While there this is a small station that sells drinks (notably hot coffee for those cooler trips), you can save some money and bring some water and snacks for yourself.
When to Visit the Apostle Islands
When people think of Wisconsin weather, they likely think of snow and cold. That’s not an unreasonable assumption as winters here can be cold, snowy, and brutal. While you’ll find some winter activities here like cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and a few others, for most visitors, you’ll want to look to warmer weather.
There is one exception. If the conditions are right, the sea caves at the Apostle Islands freeze and people can walk through the Ice Caves. The conditions haven’t been right for several years, but it’s something to be aware of.
By far the most popular time to visit northern Wisconsin is during the summer months. This is when you’ll have the warmest weather (a definite plus while spending time near Lake Superior) but also the highest prices. Summers in Wisconsin can also get humid, so keep that in mind.
During the fall months, the changing leaves make everything in Wisconsin a gorgeous color. Temperatures are cooler which can be both good and bad. Summer crowds have also diminished but that may mean limited availability for activities near the Apostle Islands.
More in the Area
The largest island in the Apostle Islands is Madeline Island and it makes a great day trip from the mainland. Visit the main town of La Pointe or head to Big Bay State Park.
On the mainland you’ll find plenty to do. There are so many waterfalls and great hikes in this region. Pattison State Park is home to the largest waterfall while Amnicon Falls State Park has a few short hiking trails. Slightly further away is Copper Falls State Park which has the delightful Doughboy Trail.
Final Thoughts
The Apostle Islands are beautiful and while there are options for kayaking and camping, a cruise of the islands is the most convenient and accessible way to experience the landscape.
Continue Your Adventure
Wisconsin Northwoods: Swing through the best waterfalls of Northern Wisconsin, including Manitou Falls at Pattison State Park and Amnicon Falls State Park.
More in Wisconsin: In Door County, don’t miss the gorgeous parks and endless hiking opportunities. Further south on the shores of Lake Michigan is Kohler Andrae State Park, which is one of my favorites. About an hour north of Madison, you’ll find Wisconsin Dells and Devil’s Lake State Park.
More in the Midwest: South of Wisconsin is Illinois and the city of Chicago. Slightly east of Chicago is Indiana Dunes National Park. To the southwest of Wisconsin is Iowa with its fun Maquoketa Caves State Park.