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

Table Of Content

• STUMBLE INTO HISTORY
• More Jasper Maligne Valley and Maligne Lake Cruises
• THE BEST CRUISE DEALS & SPECIAL OFFERS
• Unforgettable Ways to Make the Most of Jasper's Lakes in Winter
• Jasper Wildlife and Waterfalls Tour with Maligne Lake Cruise
• Maligne Lake Boat Cruise Daily Operating Hours
• Jasper Maligne Lake Map

Currently, we have 3 types of boats that can carry between 38 and 50 passengers. The trip was very good and we saw a grizzly bear as well as rare owls and eagles. The trip to the secret island and the gorge were also worthwhile. Great trip, great host and you get picked up and dropped off, anywhere you wanted. 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.

28 of the Best Things to Do This Summer in Jasper National Park - To Do Canada

28 of the Best Things to Do This Summer in Jasper National Park.

Posted: Thu, 09 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]

STUMBLE INTO HISTORY

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. Questions about the cruise get asked often in our private Facebook group, and nearly everyone agrees that the Maligne Lake cruise is worth the time, effort, and money. Everyone also agrees, including us, to book one of the later time slots in the day for the best light on Spirit Island.

More Jasper Maligne Valley and Maligne Lake Cruises

On this tour, the knowledgeable tour guides will share vibrant stories, delving into the lake’s history, early explorers, and the region’s geology, glaciology, and diverse flora and fauna. Because the cruise is very popular, book in advance, as it fills up days before departure during the summer months. Venture beyond the shoreline aboard an interpretive Maligne Lake Cruise to the world-famous Spirit Island. Along the way, you’ll learn about the geology, wildlife and history of this spectacular alpine destination from our experienced guides while riding comfortably in our glass-enclosed, heated boats. It’s an age-old question — does the early bird really get the worm, or are there perks to taking a “wait-and-see” approach? If you’re booking a cruise vacation, you’ll find there are benefits to both strategies.

THE BEST CRUISE DEALS & SPECIAL OFFERS

The price does vary though depending on the time of year and the type of car that you rent. It’s a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. In fact, I’ve used them all over the world including in Chile, New Zealand, and Australia.

Unforgettable Ways to Make the Most of Jasper's Lakes in Winter

From the east end of the townsite of Jasper, follow Highway 16 east for 3 km before taking the right turnoff for Maligne Lake Road. 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. A cruise to Caribbean is filled with exciting destinations, each with its own style and vibe.

Now, we live in Canmore and spend as much time exploring and hiking around Banff as possible. We think this is one of the most spectacular areas and the perfect place for an outdoor vacation. We aim to help you get the most out of your trip to Banff National Park and the surrounding areas. Booking your cruise in advance is highly recommended, especially in July and August. Maligne Lake is an incredible stretch of sheer beauty, spanning 22km from the boat docks to the majestic Spirit Island and the base of the Coronet Glacier. Spirit Island, a charming peninsula, rests 14 kilometers away from the docks and is a special place for the area’s indigenous people.

Former Parks Canada bosses fight proposal for hotel at Jasper's Maligne Lake - CTV News

Former Parks Canada bosses fight proposal for hotel at Jasper's Maligne Lake.

Posted: Wed, 09 Apr 2014 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Save Big With These Caribbean Cruise Deals

Even little ones will find plenty of ways to play with spaces and activities designed for tots to tweens. One of the top reasons savvy travelers love cruising, though, is because of the incredible value it offers. With Royal Caribbean, your cruise fare includes access to most of the ship’s attractions, select dining venues and all of the entertainment onboard. On top of all that, the cruise line presents frequent limited-time offers and seasonal sales, making it easy to score big savings when booking your vacation.

Once we were past the middle of the lake, around 30 minutes into our cruise, we saw the iconic Spirit Island. After seeing it in countless photos and souvenirs over the years, it was very special to see it finally in person. Apart from the mountain views, I was surprised to see countless glaciers on top of them. After the quick check-in at the dock, we boarded our boat and headed south towards the middle of Maligne Lake. Our guide explained the significance of Maligne Lake and Spirit Island to Indigenous people and lots of fun facts about Maligne Lake (some of which I sprinkled around in this blog post).

We recently went on the Maligne Lake Cruise, and let me tell you, it’s not just another boring lake cruise. The unexpected glacier views and the iconic Spirit Island are just a few features I will never forget about. Upon arrival at Spirit Island, the boat docks and guests are able to disembark to enjoy a short nature trail leading to a viewing platform overlooking one of the most stunning scenes. Nestled in the heart of the mountains, Spirit Island is waiting to be discovered.

We booked our Maligne Lake Cruise for 4 pm in the autumn season, ensuring we have at least an hour for the drive on the Maligne Lake Road to admire the beautiful autumn colours and watch wildlife. INSIDER TIPDrive slowly, especially close to Medicine Lake, as it’s a common hangout place for bears, moose and bald eagles. I recommend timing your drive to either morning or evening when you’re almost guaranteed to see lots of wildlife. When you’re planning your Jasper itinerary, make sure to include Maligne Lake Cruise; you won’t be disappointed.

To visit any national park in Canada, you must purchase a Park Pass (daily or yearly). However, if you’d like to immerse yourself in Jasper’s natural beauty, the closest campground to the Maligne Lake Road is Snaring River – details below, and a few hotels I personally recommend. It’s important to note that Maligne Lake Cruise (and other activities offered by Pursuit, such as Banff Gondola up the Sulphur Mountain) operates on dynamic pricing. That means the higher the demand, the higher the price, so you can expect higher prices during summer weekends.

Yes, there’s free parking at Maligne Lake but it does fill up quickly, especially during the summer. If you do drive yourself, it’s best to get there early (at least an hour before your cruise) so that you don’t miss out on a parking spot. Magnificent views – Of course, one of the top highlights of the cruise is the views you’ll take in as you tour the lake. This part of Canada is one of the most photographed destinations in the world, and it’s easy to see why. The ancient forests and looming mountaintops stand out against the bright blue sky, making it a gorgeous scene no matter what time of year you visit.