Apostle Islands Cruises: A Detailed Guide & Real Review

I’ve spent a lot of time in the state of Wisconsin over the years, but boat tours aren’t usually my thing. The seasickness is real, friends, and I’m not a cruiser.

When activities on the water are presented to me as the best way to do things, though, I’ll grin and bear it because my travel-related FOMO is a way bigger deal. 

That was the situation with Apostle Islands cruises. As we researched the best way to see the area, boat tours came up as the ideal way to see as much of the islands as possible.

The review below details our experience and how to book an Apostle Islands cruise of your own if you’re persuaded enough to do so.

Are Apostle Islands cruises worth it?

Apostle Islands cruises are worth booking if you want to be as efficient as possible in exploring the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. This is especially true if you’re short on time in Wisconsin.

I think they’re also reasonably priced for how much you get to see while you’re out on the water.

What city is closest to the Apostle Islands?

Your Apostle Islands tours will start in Bayfield, the city closest to the Apostle Islands. That’s where you’ll find the main boat terminal. 

Note: Parking is available around the boat terminal, but watch for two-hour parking limits before you head out onto the water.

Bayfield and Northern Wisconsin can feel pretty remote. Here are a few sample drive times:

• Duluth, Minnesota: 1 hour and 45 minutes
• Eau Claire, Wisconsin: 3 hours
• Minneapolis, Minnesota: 4 hours
• Madison, Wisconsin: 5 hours and 30 minutes
• Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 6 hours and 20 minutes
• Chicago, Illinois: 7 hours and 30 minutes

READ MORE: Milwaukee is my favorite Wisconsin city. Check out my monster guide to our favorite things to do there!

You shouldn’t just arrive in Bayfield expecting miracles the day of your Apostle Island boat tour, either.

Buy tickets online through Apostle Islands Cruises, an authorized tour company with the National Park Service.

They’ll check you in using your name off of a printout, so you don’t need to do anything else upon arrival.

We booked the night before without issues for a boat tour during the peak summer season, but we also had a few days to choose from during our Wisconsin trip. Some of the days during that time were sold out.

If you only have one day to make this happen, make it happen by booking ahead of time.

What is the best time of year to visit the Apostle Islands?

Summer is the best season to visit the Apostle Islands. Shoot for July and August for the best weather conditions out on the water.

Since you’re here for boating, cruises are limited to summer and early fall for the Grand Tour. That’s the tour we took and that I’d highly recommend.

Tours are even more limited for other options, like the Raspberry Island Lighthouse Tour. Expect Labor Day weekend to be a cutoff point for tours that aren’t the Grand Tour.

For intrepid travelers interested in ice caves, you can visit the mainland ice caves during the winter months. The National Park Service recommends travel in February in that case when the ice is at its thickest.

If you’re anything like me, you’re also at your thickest in February.

The BEST Apostle Islands Cruise

The most popular Apostle Islands boat tour is the Grand Tour. As I like to be where the people are to determine whether it’s worth the hype, that’s the tour we booked.

Note that reviews for Apostles Islands cruises are already quite good. We’re only adding to the positivity over here, and get no kickbacks when you book a tour of your own.

The Grand Tour is a narrated tour that takes up to three hours and travels 55 miles. It’s extremely thorough and educational, and the only case of FOMO I felt was over not having enough time to explore the islands on land. 

There are 22 islands that make up the Apostle Islands. You get to see at least 17 on the Grand Tour, if only for a moment.

Each island gets the historical treatment. You’ll leave knowing quite a bit about the Apostle Islands. In fact, it’s likely more information than you’ll ever need, even if you find yourself at a Wisconsin dive bar trivia night.

This is on top of the wildlife spotting.

We saw multiple bald eagles nesting in trees and cormorants and other diving birds over the course of our tour.

At stops along the way, we could see fish underneath the surface. Whitefish, herring, and lake trout all call the lake home.

Fun fact: Some of the islands have white-tailed deer and black bears, but it’s unlikely you’ll see those from the shore.

What islands make up the Apostle Islands?

The islands that make up the Apostle Islands are:

• Basswood Island
• Hermit Island
• Stockton Island
• Oak Island
• Manitou Island
• Bear Island
• Otter Island
• Ironwood Island
• South Twin Island
• North Twin Island
• Rocky Island
• Devils Island
• Sand Island
• York Island
• Eagle Island
• Raspberry Island
• Madeline Island
• Gull Island
• Outer Island
• Michigan Island
• Cat Island
• Long Island

As I said already, we learned about 17 out of those 22 islands on our Apostle Islands cruise. I listed them all in the order we saw them above, so just look at the top 17 if you’re really into the details.

We may have seen even more on our trip — the tour company itself promises 21 out of 22 — but I jotted down islands that got some narration.

Let’s dive into what you can expect on your own Grand Tour.

You’ll start at Basswood Island and its sandstone quarries that were in operation until 1910. From there, you’ll travel to Hermit Island.

Our guide referred to it as Wilson’s Island after a cranky old man named William Wilson who at one time called this one home.

This was our first glimpse of the cliffs and caverns that make this region of the state so scenic. The rocky arches here are about six feet in diameter. Adventurous folks can actually swim underneath.

Stockton Island was next. This is the largest of the islands in the national park, and the second largest overall after Madeline Island.

This is the most popular island for campers, which makes it more developed than the others. It’s also home to a healthy black bear population and beautiful Julian Bay.

We cruised by Oak Island, the tallest island with the deepest waters surrounding it, and Manitou Island.

Fun fact: “Little Manitou” nearby is a rockpile that alerts boaters to shallow waters.

You’ll pass Bear Island, named as such because it resembles a bear, Otter Island and its impressive tree regrowth, and Ironwood Island, named for its ironwood trees.

We lingered some at the South Twin and North Twin islands. North Twin Island is an environmentally protected place because of its virgin forest and unique wildflowers.

On Rocky Island, you’ll see evidence of three privately owned properties that earned a special lease agreement with the park. From there, the cruise spends some time around Devils Island and its intricate caves.

This island is home to the Devils Island Lighthouse, a spot you can visit if you make it ashore on a volunteer-led tour. You’ll see this and all of the main features of the island from either side of the boat.

We were starboard, which I guess is the right side, right?

It’s time for the back end of your tour from here.

See Sand Island and another lighthouse, York Island, another popular destination for Apostle Islands camping, and Eagle Island with its numerous nesting areas.

We lingered on the water for a while at Raspberry Island, home to another easily accessible lighthouse you can tour a couple of times a week. One of the volunteers there used to be the boat captain’s high school principal, so that’s fun.

You’ll get one last view of Madeline Island before returning to shore.

The Town of La Pointe on Madeline Island is the only Apostle Island with people living there. As a result, Madeline Island is not part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Spend some time wrapping your head around everything you were able to see in such a short amount of time.

It was a fantastic morning out on the water for us, and no one barfed, not even a little.

I’m super delicate when it comes to the water, so if I can handle it, you can handle it.

What to Bring for Your Apostle Islands Cruise

On the day of your tours, do what you need to do to counteract seasickness and get to Bayfield early if you want a seat on top.

We got in line — it’s first-come first-served — a little after 9am for a 10am cruise and were among the first 10 passengers in line. Winning.

Note: There are also afternoon and evening tours available for the Grand Tour. I highly recommend the morning just in case something goes wrong with your tour, but a sunset tour on the water sounds pretty lovely, too.

There are a few cute coffee shops in Bayfield if you need to caffeinate beforehand to counteract the effects of your seasickness medication. I wouldn’t get out of line to make that happen.

Employ the buddy system as necessary.

Otherwise, make sure to bring a light jacket or sweater for your boat trip, even if it’s hot on the shore. Once that wind starts whipping, things cool down real quick. Snacks are allowed on board but available for purchase on the boat, too.

More Apostle Islands Boat Tours

If you’re not able to book a Grand Tour for whatever reason, you have other options.

One is taking your own boat out to one of the islands. You’ll need to pay docking fees and contend with reserved spaces for all of the guided tours out there.

You’ll also need to have a boat.

If that doesn’t sound like you, there are other guided excursions that are a heck of a lot less work, less luck, and less money.

Book any of these tours online ahead of your travel so that you’re not disappointed upon arrival in Bayfield:

• Michigan Island Lighthouse Tour: This one takes you onto shore to explore Michigan Island and the Michigan Island Lighthouse. If you’re able to, plan to climb the tower for expansive views of the islands.
• Raspberry Island Lighthouse Tour: Yes, there is more lighthouse action in the Apostle Islands. This guided tour takes you on a historic journey to the well-preserved Raspberry Island Lighthouse, naturally.
• Stockton Island Day Hiking Tour: Hit the beach and the trails of Stockton Island for about two hours on shore. Explore the island’s bogs, dunes, and pine forests. There’s an overnight option for Stockton Island if you want more time.
• Oak Island Overnight Camping Shuttle: This is exactly as it sounds. Take a shuttle for your planned overnight to Oak Island and explore the tallest of all the Apostle Islands. This one is more limited than some of the others, so plan ahead.

Another option is booking Apostle Islands kayaking tours with a private company. Escape Excursions has some great options to get closer to the sea caves with docking opportunities to explore on foot.

A fun kayaking tour is likely what I’d look into on a return trip to the Apostle Islands now that we have a bit of a primer on the place.

If the Grand Tour is all I have to show for myself on trips to this Wisconsin wonder, though, I’ll be perfectly fine with that, too.

READ MORE: Love kayak tours? Check out my guide to Wisconsin’s Cave Point County Park.

Can you stay on any of the Apostle Islands?

You can stay on the Apostle Islands, especially if you’re into camping. If you want to stay overnight in the national park, you need to reserve campsites well in advance. The season here is pretty short thanks to the elements.

As far as which island to target for camping, personal preference come into play for that. I mentioned this already, but you’ll find the most amenities on Stockton Island.

Getting to each island for your overnight depends on the island. If you have your own ride, docks are first come, first served. A number of spots are always reserved for the National Park Service and guided excursions.

For Apostle Island hotels and accommodations that don’t have anything to do with camping — I don’t blame you — your only option is Madeline Island. You’ll find a variety of short-term rentals, condos, cabins, and cottages to choose from.

Use the map below to get you started:

Where to Stay in Bayfield

We were traveling from Ironwood, Michigan, on our trip to Bayfield and the Apostle Islands. To be more efficient about it, I’d recommend staying in Bayfield the night before your morning cruise. 

Ironwood was fine, but it meant we had to get up extra early the day of our trip to make the one-hour drive there.

Even if you have a later cruise, Bayfield is all kinds of cute if you’d like to linger for a while.

Much like Madeline Island, Bayfield caters to an accommodations market that favors vacation homes, short-term rentals, and cottage-style overnights.

I’ve had friends rave about Lucy’s Place, a beloved bed and breakfast with the kindest hosts in Bayfield.

If you like bed and breakfasts and motel-style stays, use the map below to browse your options in Bayfield:

What is so special about the Apostle Islands?

The Apostle Islands show off the power and breadth of Lake Superior. From historic lighthouses to caves carved out by the water, this environment is both serene and impressive.

This is the Midwest at its best.

Apostle Island tours from the water are one of the best ways to get to know this part of the country.

I’d love to return for a longer stay to explore more of Bayfield and the islands that allow stopovers. There are more adventures waiting in this scenic part of the state!

Looking for more Midwest content? Check out my posts below:

• Why You Should Visit Underrated Iowa City
• A Road Trip Guide to Tulsa Day Trips
• Be a Kid Again & Visit the Real Field of Dreams
• A Guide to the Underrated Bay City, Michigan
• A Detailed Guide to the Best of Fargo

Visiting Chicago, too? Here are my favorite guides:

• Eat Your Way Through Chicago’s Humboldt Park
• A Local’s Guide to the Best of Logan Square
• What Is Chicago Known For? A List Just for Fun
• A Local’s Take on the Pros and Cons of Life in Chicago
• Pequod’s Pizza Is the Best. Here’s Why!

Want to see more?