Apostle Islands Water Taxi

Anyone who loves adventure can get a water taxi to experience ultimate seclusion at the Apostle islands, people come from all over the world. There are over 50 miles of hiking trails, some lead you to beautiful pristine beaches with lots of secluded camping. This place is so vast and huge, many times I don't see any other boats. You can be sure not very many people get to experience it.

July and August are the busiest time out here. When choosing a camp site keep in mind the location of the camp site compared to the dock, some sites have you hiking a couple miles to get to your site, like any camping some sites are far better than others.

I do quite a bit of water taxi, scheduling around my trips to Devils Island, over nighters, or where ever adventure seekers want to go. I’ve had people that are coming for the first time camping at the Apostle  Islands, to people that have made it a yearly tradition. My enthusiasm for the Apostle Islands mixed with their excitement makes a great experience for all.

It's my goal to hike all the trails at the Apostle islands! I once hiked a 6 mile trail by my self on Basswood Island and I know there was not another soul on the island. I have to say the beauty of the unique Eco system is like none other. It can change several times on a hike, from old growth to new growth, high lands too wet lands and bogs to beaches.

Always keep in mind the lake is the boss! Every plan depends on the weather! Unfortunately a little luck and guessing also come into play. Be prepared for everything, including a longer stay on the island than you had planed. The weather forecasts have never been better so most often we can determine before you set out how the weather will be, however that is best just days before your trip, so if your coming from a long distance away have a second option for if the conditions are just to terrible.   

 I have a link on my website that leads you to more info on hiking, camping and weather at the Apostle Islands, or just give me a call and I will be happy to answer questions you may have.

Captain Shelly Holland

Escapeexcursions.com

612-805-7454

Experience An Apostle Island overnight.

One of my favorite spots Is Quarry Bay on Stockton Island. In spring time you can be the only one on the dock quite often, having the whole beach to yourself

Escape Excursions

Photo by Diane Perry

                                                        Overnights on the Islands

                  Many of the 21 Apostle Islands are perfect for overnight adventures. The Apostle Islands are so big and vast that many times I never even see anyone else around. When I look around at the beautiful pristine beaches and unique vegetation that only exists on the Apostle Islands it blows my mind that so many people don’t even get to see this. I get it, because this place is so big it can be intimidating, and the waters you have to navigate are so cold that having to swim to shore could be fatal. There is no cell service out here so help is not just a phone call away. That is why it is the law to have a marine ban radio. So you won’t be scrolling through social media, giving your eyes and neck a wonderful break!     

Since the beginning of time humans have sat by a warm fire. For hundreds of years people have chose this area to do that simply for the same reason I did, because it is beautiful here.

Photo by Diane Perry

 There are a few beaches you are not allowed to have beach fires on, Raspberry Island, Presque Isle Bay and Julian Bay on Stockton Island. That still leaves a great number of beaches you can have fires on, using what ever dry wood you find. Drift wood happens to be in huge abundance on the islands and unless wet it’s very easy to build a fire with only a match. Beach fires are to be well below the vegetation line near  the waters edge and no bigger the 3 feet in hight and diameter. 

            Whether you're parking on the dock or camping in a camp site you reserved the cost is the same, only $15 a night. most of the camp sites are very privet with plenty of distance in-between each other. If your looking for a great escape I recommend camping here!  To reserve a site go to  https://www.recreation.gov/ and search "Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Camping Permits." 

Escape Excursions

Captain Shelly Holland

My first time at the Apostle Islands

I'll never forget the first time I brought my little boat to the Apostle Island's about 15 years ago.  It's majestic beauty saturated my soul with a yearning to be here. In the beginning, I was simply drawn in by the little brown national Park sign that said “Apostle Island National Lakeshore” on U.S. 2 near Ashland WI. I wasn’t even aware of the beautiful sandstone cliffs and sea caves.  Truthfully, I had never even put a boat in Lake superior before, so for that to be the first place was so fortunate for me. There was very little wind and everything just looked calm and peaceful. The only waves were from my boat as I cruised along the shoreline of the sandstone cliffs and caves. The water was so crystal clear that I could see huge boulders 20 feet down, alongside ripples of sand. We tried taking a swim, but a little swim it was, as the water was so cold we could not bear to be in it. I always found that maddening about Lake Superior.  How beautiful the lake and beaches were but what a mean trick for the water to be so unbearably cold.  Little did I know then that 15 years later I would obtain my captain's license and start a tour boat service. Taking people to the outer edges of the furthest islands if they so wish. To Escape into a boaters utopia of pristine beaches, sandstone cliffs and sea caves. To a history of hundreds of people living on the islands before the turn of the century. Come along with me as I explore the Apostle Islands and everything it has to offer. Join me on my boat, Into Wishin, look me up at Escape Excursions and start your own adventure.

Captain Shelly Holland