One summer our party of five including our guide, Ginny, from Naturally Superior Adventures, completed a 70 km Michipicoten Island kayaking trip in Lake Superior. Mother Nature cooperated and supplied more sunshine than fog, little in the way of rain and enough wind to keep the majority of biting insects at bay – but not so much to keep us landlocked on shore.
The Michipicoten Island kayaking circumnavigation was a great success – no boats or human sightings for four days, wonderful northern scenery, woodland caribou sightings – including the rare albino caribou, enough paddling that you feel you earned your two hour afternoon nap, and delicious food and wine.
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![The night before we spend the night at a lodge on Lake Superior](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-9.jpg)
![The view out to Michipicoten Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-29.jpg)
Highlights of our Michipicoten Island kayaking trip
The Michipicoten Island kayaking trip started with a boat shuttle across Lake Superior to the East End Lighthouse, the start of our circumnavigation.
There is the option to do an 18 km crossing from Bonner Head to the mainland and back to Michipicoten Bay – for advanced kayakers only who also have great navigation skills.
![Boat shuttle from the mainland](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-33.jpg)
![East End Lighthouse and our start point on Michipicoten Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-1.jpg)
![Lots of pebbly beaches that are perfect for launching kayaks](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-2.jpg)
![Our first camp on a beach past Bonner Head](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-5.jpg)
![It's daisy season when we kayak in August](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-10.jpg)
![Campanula looks stunning beside the yellow lichen](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-34.jpg)
![One of the beautiful Michipicoten Island sunsets we enjoyed](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-3.jpg)
![A windy morning on the second day of the Michipicoten Island circumnavigation](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-4.jpg)
![Enjoying an evening campfire on Michipicoten Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-25.jpg)
![Lake Superior rocks](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-30.jpg)
The best months for Michipicoten Island kayaking
July and August are the best months to kayak around Michipicoten Island. The weather is more predictable and there are fewer storms. No matter what, go prepared for all types of weather including dense fog. Definitely wait for fog to lift unless you are with a guide and they give the go-ahead.
We paddled to Davieux Island based on a compass setting and the island didn’t come into view until we were within feet of it.
Also build in a day or two for wind. There’s no need to go toe to toe with Lake Superior. It’s a lake that can be more dangerous than the north Atlantic Ocean.
![Michipicoten Island kayaking in the fog](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-6.jpg)
![Peaceful kayaking through Michipicoten Island's famous fog](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-7.jpg)
![Lots of interesting rocks on Michipocten Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-8.jpg)
![Beautiful coloured lichen](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-20.jpg)
![Michipicoten Island rare albino woodland caribou](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-35.jpg)
![The skeletal frame of the Billy Blake](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-12.jpg)
![Abandoned building in Quebec Harbour](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-11.jpg)
![Abandoned buildings in Quebec Harbour](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-23.jpg)
![Davieux Island Lightstation](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-21.jpg)
![The rocks and lichen of Davieaux Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-36.jpg)
![Our campsite by the lighthouse on Davieaux Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-14.jpg)
![Trails on Davieux Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-37.jpg)
![No bake cheesecake with fresh picked blueberries](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-19.jpg)
![Camping on Davieux Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-22.jpg)
![A view of Cozen's Cove](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-38.jpg)
![The Caribbean looking waters of Cozen's Cove - though the water temperature was only about 58F](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-17.jpg)
![Blueberry picking at Cozen's Cove](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-16.jpg)
![Happy hour on Michipicoten Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-18.jpg)
![Our last sunset on Michipocten Island](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-31.jpg)
![All of us on the last day](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-32.jpg)
Facing your fears kayaking around Michipicoten Island
All in all it was a great and mostly relaxing week. And I say mostly relaxing because there was the odd bit of fear felt on the water in the face of a few big waves.
Bring it on. I’m ready for more and already thinking of what other paddling trips I’d like to do on the big waters of Lake Superior.
For more reading on the area try: An Introduction to Michipicoten Island – Lake Superior’s Wild Heart by David C. Whyte.
Some other books that might be of interest include:
- Lake Superior Rocks and Minerals
- Lighthouses of Lake Superior’s North Shore: The Historic Beacons of Minnesota, Isle Royale and Ontario
- Lake Superior Agates Field Guide
Further reading on things to do in northern Ontario
- Hiking the Nokomis Trail, Lake Superior Provincial Park
- A Challenging Hike on the Lake Superior Coastal Trail
- The Hike to Agawa Falls in Northern Ontario
- Day 2 on the Coastal Trail in Pukaskwa National Park
- The Top of the Giant Hike in Northwest Ontario
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
![Kayaking around Michipicoten Island in Lake Superior, Ontario](https://hikebiketravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Michipicoten-Island-28.jpg)