Isle Royale Sea Kayaking Adventure

A park unlike any other, explore this isolated realm of untamed adventures, breathtaking scenery, and unparalleled solitude. Isle Royale National Park is one of the least visited National parks in the US but is one of the most revisited. It is home to moose, wolves, loons, beaver, fox, and other small mammals and birdlife and offers excellent fishing, pristine forests and waterways.

Your expert guides Darrin and Jamie will show you the special wilderness of Isle Royale from a sea kayak. Darrin has over 18 years of experience guiding trips to Isle Royale. As an ACA certified Sea Kayak instructor, your safety is his top priority. CrawDaddy owner Jamie has an extensive background in wilderness guiding and loves to show people the wonders of wilderness.

Day one, we’ll make the 8 hour drive from Waverly to Grand Portage where we will camp in two large group tents the first night. The next day will start with a 4 hour ferry ride to the island. We plan to paddle 6 to 12 miles per day around half of the island, for a total of approximately 50 miles in 6 days. Each evening we’ll set up camp and sleep in individual tents or shared lean-to shelters. Upon reaching Malone Bay on the final day, we will end the journey with a 4-hour ferry ride back to the mainland, where we will pack the vehicles and make the return drive to Waverly, arriving well after midnight.

What’s Included: 

Professional instruction and guiding, transportation from Waverly, IA to Isle Royale and back, all meals and snacks, sea kayak, paddle, PFD, cooking gear, first aid kit, safety gear and camping gear if needed. If you’d prefer to bring your own kayak or gear, you are welcome to do so provided it is appropriate for our trip.

We do our best to accommodate all dietary restrictions and preferences. Upon sign-up, you will receive a short questionnaire, to share these needs with us.

Activities: 

Sea kayaking, tent camping

Skill Level:

Intermediate. Some kayaking experience needed. We strongly encourage participants to attend one of our Kayak Safety Pool Classes before going on the trip to learn/demonstrate rescue skills needed for safe participation on this adventure. We will camp and paddle in most weather conditions–rain or shine, hot or cold, windy or still. 

Accommodations:

Tent camping–one night in group tents and individual tents or shared lean-to shelters the remainder of the trip. Bathroom facilities on the island are pit outhouses near campsites or wilderness bathroom practices during the day.

Not Included:

Optional guide gratuities, items of a personal nature.

Registration:

Limited to 7 people. A minimum of 3 registrants is required to offer the trip. 

We have intentionally limited the number of participants on our trips in order to provide a safe and rich outdoor experience. 

Cancellation:

Please read our full Trip Cancellation Policy here.