The Lake Superior sea caves at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore are the single most photographed sight in northern Wisconsin, and the best way to experience them is from the seat of a kayak. The sandstone cliffs along the mainland near Cornucopia and out at Devils Island have been carved by the largest freshwater lake on earth into arches, vaults, and slot canyons you can paddle straight into. This guide covers how to do it safely and where to start.
Where the Sea Caves Are
There are two distinct sets of sea caves. The Mainland Sea Caves sit just east of Meyers Beach, off Highway 13 between Cornucopia and Bayfield, and are the easiest to reach. The Devils Island sea caves are far more dramatic but require a long open-water crossing and serious experience. Most first-time paddlers head to the mainland caves from Meyers Beach.
- Meyers Beach launch: a sand-and-gravel beach with a National Park Service parking lot and a launch fee station.
- Paddling distance: roughly 1.5 to 2 miles of paddling along the cliffs to reach the best caves.
- Devils Island: the outermost island, with the most spectacular caves and the historic Devils Island Light, for advanced paddlers only.
Best Time to Go
The reliable sea-cave kayaking season runs from mid-June through early September, when Lake Superior is at its calmest and warmest, though warmest is relative and the water rarely climbs above the mid-60s Fahrenheit. July and August give you the longest stretches of settled weather. By late September the lake turns moody and cold, and winds out of the north can shut the caves down for days. Always check the marine forecast for the Bayfield area before you launch.
Guided Tours vs. Going Solo
Unless you are a confident open-water paddler with cold-water rescue skills, book a guided tour. Outfitters in Bayfield and Cornucopia run half-day trips from Meyers Beach with sea kayaks, wetsuits or drysuits, and guides who read the lake. Lake Superior is unforgiving: water in the 50s can cause cold shock within minutes, and conditions change fast. A guide who calls off a paddle because of building swell is doing exactly the right thing.
If you do bring your own boat, use a true sea kayak with bulkheads and a spray skirt, carry a marine radio, dress for immersion, and never enter a cave when there is any swell pushing into it. Waves amplify inside the narrow rock chambers.
What You Will See
Inside the caves the sandstone glows in shades of red and tan, and shafts of light cut through arches onto the clear water below. You will paddle under natural bridges, into echoing rooms, and past cliffs draped with cedar. On a calm morning the reflections turn the whole shoreline into a mirror. Bring a waterproof camera and a dry bag for everything else.
Fitting the Caves Into a Bigger Trip
The sea caves pair naturally with a wider loop of the region. Bayfield is the gateway town, with the Madeline Island ferry, orchards, and good seafood. From there it is an easy drive to Copper Falls State Park and deeper into the Chequamegon forest. For a full route that strings the caves together with the rest of the region, see our 10-day Wisconsin Northwoods itinerary, which builds the Apostle Islands into a Lake Superior and Northwoods road trip.
Practical Tips
- Reserve early: guided sea-cave trips sell out in July and August.
- Layer up: mornings on the lake are cold even in summer.
- Pay the launch fee: Meyers Beach charges a per-launch fee that funds the lakeshore.
- Have a backup plan: if the lake is too rough, hike the Mainland Sea Caves Trail along the clifftop instead.
Done right, paddling the Apostle Islands sea caves is one of the great freshwater kayaking experiences in North America. Respect the lake, time your trip for calm weather, and you will leave with photos and memories that justify the long drive north.
