Apostle Islands Sea Caves Map

Sea Caves can be found at the following locations.  Each location is given a star rating for the sea caves, ease of access, and crowd levels. If you see an image above the text you can click on it and play a video from that sea cave location.  The locations include Devil’s Island, Meyers Beach, Sand Island, Romans Point, Houghton Point, Chequamegon Bay, Madeline Island, Red Cliff, Stockton Island, Cat Island, Eagle Island, Outer Island and Spirit Point.  You can expect  large crowds at Meyers Beach. The other sea cave locations you will have mostly to yourself.

Waves At The Caves

You will need waves of 1.5 foot or less to enter the sea caves.  The sea caves in Chequamegon Bay and Red Cliff are much more protected than all the other locations and waves are less than 1 foot most of the time.  Meyers Beach and Devil’s Island have the best sea caves in the Apostle Islands but they are also very dangerous places to paddle, with waves over 1.5 foot quite often.  

Devil’s Island

The hardest to access and is really only accessible by boat if you want to get out there and back in a day, but it has the best caves.  Devil’s Island is the most exposed to wind and waves of all the sea cave locations.

Romans Point

Located in Herbster, Wi these sea caves are a hidden gem.  Just as good as Meyers Beach but without the crowds or the AINL rules against dogs and paddleboards.  These are the best mainland caves and our guides always make this one more fun.  Without the AINL rangers we are allowed to let you explore the sandstone and make as many stops and take as many photos as you’d like.  We are better able to cater this to your enjoyment.

Sand Island

Much closer than Devil’s and can be accessed by kayak in one day. Sand Island has more caves than Roman’s point but not as many as Meyers.  Sand Island is a bit shorter but much more intricate stretch of caves.  There is the added bonus that they are on an island and the 2 mile open water crossing keeps the crowds down.  You rarely see motor boats at these caves.  The crossing to these caves are dangerous, you are exposed from every direction, even a South wind can create waves and white caps by the time you are half way through the open water crossing to Swallow Point.

Meyers Beach

 

Meyers Beach gets too crowded in August and you have to wait in line to get in to a cave, but these are excellent caves on the mainland peninsula.  If you are looking for good caves without crowds we suggest Romans Point.  Crowds are present and AINL rules do not allow family pets or paddle board tours.

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Stockton Island

Stockton Island has a couple good caves and a famous miniature sandstone island known as balancing rock.  There caves are located on the North East end of the island.  Crossing to Stockton is best done from Red Cliff or Madeline Island.  The crossing from Red Cliff is a bit more safe because you have Basswood and Hermit along the way which are both all public national lakeshore.

Madeline Island

There are about 1/4 as many caves at Madeline as those before it on this list but they are fun caves to paddle and if you look closely you can find one tunnel cave and one underwater cave.  The caves won’t be as amazing as Devil’s, Meyers and Sand but it is very protected from a West wind, so a good option for sea cave paddling on a West wind day, which is primarily what we get through the summer months.  This location will have more crowds than Romans but a bit fewer than Meyers.

Red Cliff

Every sea cave location in the Apostle Islands is more interesting and the waves from all the boats in the South Channel can make it dangerous in the summer.

APOSTLE ISLANDS KAYAKING

Apostle Islands Kayaking can be unpredictable; our primary goal is safety.  We have the best safety record in the Apostle Islands because we are the most cautious and we choose to paddle in the most protected locations, away from large crowds.  The biggest concern for paddlers on Lakes Superior is the cold water temperatures and large waves.  We offer a sea cave kayak options on the East side of the Bayfield Peninsula where the water is warmer and we only launch in calm (less than 1 ft wave) conditions.

BEST CHANCE OF LAUNCHING

Tours at Meyers Beach and other exposed sea caves cancel about 20% of the time.

Our tours have about a 5% chance of cancellation.

You have a much better chance of launching the tour you signed up for when you book with us.

ABOUT OUR TOURS

We cater to families with kids and people who are looking for a relaxing paddle without crowds.  Apostle Islands kayak tours can be dangerous but we choose to paddle in conditions that are not challenging.

We tell you this to help you make your outfitter decision.

Our guided tours take place at secluded sea cave destinations, where we are likely to be the only group there.  We allow you plenty of time inside each cave to sit and enjoy the ambiance and take as many photos as you like.

WHAT IF WE CANCEL?

Being a cautious outfitter means we do have to cancel sometimes, but if we ever cancel your Apostle Islands kayak tour or if the CDC restrictions make it impossible to travel, you receive a 100% refund.

In the event of a weather cancellation we also give your group priority re-booking, meaning we will open up spots on whatever tour you want and for whatever date you choose.