Monday, April 1, 2024

Maligne Lake Cruise: Lake Cruise to the World-Famous Spirit Island

lake maligne cruise

Without a doubt, the Maligne Lake Cruise is one of the best things you can do on your trip to Jasper. It’s arguably the best cruise in Canada, and it’s easily my favorite. Yes, because Maligne Lake is inside Jasper National Park, a Parks Pass is required and it is NOT INCLUDED with your cruise. You’ll need to buy this when you enter the park or online ahead of time.

Is the Cruise Wheelchair Accessible?

Proceed over the iron bridge across the Athabasca River, stay left at the fork in the road and then proceed for 48 km until you arrive at Maligne Lake. Lack of a restroom on the boat is understandable, but it could be challenging. Our son still wore diapers at that time, and it made the whole matter easier in this case. You start on Highway 16, then cross the bridge over Athabasca River and continue on scenic Maligne Lake Road. The whole Maligne Lake and Spirit Island experience is kid friendly, though strollers are not permitted on the boat.

unique summer activities in Jasper National Park

Nestled in the heart of the mountains, Spirit Island is waiting to be discovered. Our cruises take you to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the iconic island, one of Canada’s most photographed locations. Many visitors to the Rockies can only choose so many paid experiences like this. The two cruise experiences are on Maligne Lake and Lake Minnewanka in Banff. While both are fantastic, we would tell any visitor who can only choose one to go with the cruise on Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.

Is the Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island Worth It?

At 15km and 780 meters of gain this a longer day hike option near Maligne Lake. It’s quite steep and demanding at points so make sure you pack the right gear and enough water. Your effort for this hike will be rewarded at the end with absolutely amazing views. However, the winter months are still worthy of a visit because of the gorgeous drive and cross-country ski trails around. Paddlers can choose from three campsites along the lakeshore to camp with the closest campsite at Fisherman’s Bay.

What To Expect on the Jasper Sightseeing Tour & Maligne Lake Boat Cruise

Ensure car keys and other items are kept within a pocket or carry those items attached to your person. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent from the boathouse and can be booked online. Our cruise boats are covered, but there may be a bit of water spray if the windows are open when the boat picks up speed.

Maligne Lake Boat Cruise

Jasper Downtown Hostel is the best place to stay for those on a tight budget. The central location, shared facilities, and friendly atmosphere makes it a great place to stay. They offer budget dorm beds as well as affordable private rooms. You can book Jasper Downtown Hostel on either Booking.com or Hostelworld.

Currently, we have 3 types of boats that can carry between 38 and 50 passengers. You can start the loop either from the first or the fifth bridge, and both locations have a parking lot. Maligne Canyon Trail follows this picturesque canyon and takes you through five scenic bridges. There’s a sixth bridge much further from the rest, and it’s not part of this loop trail. In addition to the boat trip, there are other things to do if you drive to Maligne Lake.

Maligne Lake Boat Cruise Reviews

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She reached the lake in 1908 and explored the valley extensively. Maligne Lake’s original Indigenous name was “Chaba Imne” (Beaver Lake) who lived in Jasper. During the summer months, the Indigenous community frequently visited the lake for food gathering and hunting activities. While this may be the best time to photograph Spirit Island to the average visitor, the truly best time to photograph Spirit Island is at sunrise. This means you’ll need to be camping at one of the nearby campsites to catch the beauty of the first rays hitting the Hall of Gods. Even the drive to Maligne Lake is eye-watering as you drive from Athabasca Valley through Maligne Valley.

Cruise along the scenic shores populated by towering peaks and roaming wildlife enroute to a spectacular overlook of Spirit Island. The Premium Cruise also runs in the evening and is the last cruise of the day. This means you’ll have the best possible light on Spirit Island as you’ll get there around Golden Hour.

lake maligne cruise

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They also have a rooftop hot tub (pictured above) – need I say more? Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included and we found the guides excellent at helping you spot wildlife and telling you the history of the area. You’ll pass forests, mountains, and lakes as you go, and possibly spot some elk on the way! There aren’t many gas stations once you leave Jasper though, so make sure you fill up your car before leaving town.

lake maligne cruise

Parks Canada requires all adult visitors to Canada’s national parks to buy a permit for the duration of their stay to support visitor services and facilities. Day Passes or a yearly Discovery Pass are available to buy in-person at Parks Canada's park gates and information centres in Banff and Jasper. Traveling together since 2012, in the past 4 years with our son. Last but not least, we genuinely enjoyed the commentary during the cruise. Our guide educated us about the history, geology, weather, flora and fauna of Maligne Lake in an entertaining way.

This spot is significant to the people who have lived in and around these forests, and I love seeing what I just learned about in the tour portion of the ride. Here, the boat will dock, and you’ll get to spend about 15 minutes soaking in the views of the lake. If you love nature like I do, the tour is worth it just for the vantage points you’ll have from this island. I love this lake for its shockingly blue waters and gorgeous mountain backdrop, and I’m sure you will, too! While there are many ways you can take in the incredible views around the lake, one of my favorite ways to experience its beauty is to take a cruise across the calm waters. Maligne Lake is one of the most popular recreational areas in Jasper National Park.

The best time to visit Lake Maligne and Spirit Island is from mid-June to late October. This is the timeframe that Maligne Lake has thawed from the winter and boat cruises are operational. There are a plethora of things to do around Maligne Lake all year round. In the summer, visitors can hike, canoe, fish, or hop on a tour boat.

When you take this lake cruise, you’ll get to spend time walking around the island and experiencing the picture-perfect views. While enjoying the lake from its shores is gratifying enough, there’s another way to experience this water. Enjoying a Maligne Lake cruise is on many visitors Jasper bucket lists. But what can you expect from your time on the water, just how much is the tour, and what’s all this fuss about Spirit Island? The only access point by car is Home Bay which offers a few viewpoints.

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