Spirit Island is one of the most photographed spots in the Canadian Rockies. Located on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park, this super picturesque spot is essentially a peninsula (not actually an island!) surrounded by beautiful blue water and mountains in all directions. Getting to Spirit Island can be a challenge for a lot of visitors though, because it’s only accessible by boat.
It is around 14 km from the Lakeshore of the Maligne Lake Boathouse, which can make it one of Jasper’s hardest places to visit. You cannot simply drive up to Spirit Island, or even hike to get there! There are only 2 ways – paddle yourself or take a tour boat.
In this article, I’ll go through how to get to Spirit Island, covering both ways (tour boat vs canoe/kayak) and the pros and cons of each. I grew up 4 hours from the Canadian Rockies and I’ve visited Spirit Island twice and Maligne Lake a ton of times – this is everything I know to help you plan your trip!
Please know this website is reader supported and includes some affiliate links. I earn a small commission when you click on or purchase from affiliate links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!!
The Maligne Lake area was untouched by the forest fire of July 2024. The beginning of Maligne Lake Road was devastated, but closer to Maligne Lake and Spirit Island were not affected! In the upcoming summer season (2025), I’m expecting backcountry camping at Maligne and visiting Spirit Island will continue as normal.
How to Get to Spirit Island
There are two ways to get to Spirit Island:
- Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle your way to Spirit Island
- Board the Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island
There are pros and cons to both options:
Option One: Canoeing/Kayaking to Spirit Island
In my opinion, canoeing or kayaking is the best way to get to Spirit Island.
Pros of Getting to Spirit Island by Canoe/Kayak:
IT’S AN ADVENTURE
Taking a canoe provides an element of adventure that just isn’t there with the lake cruise. And, canoeing on a lake in the Rockies is on so many bucket lists, so why not knock it off your bucket list while paddling to something incredible!
ENJOY STUNNING SCENERY
You can paddle at your own speed and are in charge of your own canoe, so you can stop and admire the amazing Maligne Lake and the surrounding mountains whenever you want.
UNLIMITED TIME AT SPIRIT ISLAND
If you canoe yourself, it’s really up to you how long you spend there. The only person’s schedule you’re on is your own, and you can usually get some nicer photos because there is typically a quick 1-2 minutes between tourist boats.
IT’S A SIMILAR PRICE FOR A DAY OF ADVENTURE
Instead of spending 1 hour and 30 minutes on the entire Lake Cruise tour, you can rent your own boat for a similar price. Depending on how many people you have, you can share the cost of a canoe/kayak for the full day, rather than paying for individual tickets for the cruise. I would price compare and see what the price difference is! (I rented a 2 person canoe from Wild Current Outfitters and it cost us $190 total for 2 full days with the canoe in 2021).
Cons of Getting to Spirit Island by Canoe/Kayak:
IT TAKES A FULL DAY
Getting to Spirit Island by canoe or kayak is not the easiest paddle in the world. You will need a lot of time in order to enjoy yourself and not wear yourself out. It took my sister and me around 4 hours to paddle to Spirit Island, and about 4.5 hours to paddle back (a kayak would be a lot more efficient though). So it is a loooong day if you are trying to squeeze it into one day. If you are looking to paddle there, I would recommend checking out the campsites that are on Maligne Lake and turning your journey into two days instead of one!
IT MAY NOT BE FOR EVERYONE
Of course, if you have small kids or are incapable of paddling a canoe for a long period of time, getting to Spirit Island by canoe may not be the right choice for you. In this case, if you are dying to see Spirit Island, I would take the Lake Cruise. (I did see families canoeing though, you know your family’s capabilities best!).
Wondering where to rent a canoe to paddle Maligne Lake?
- I highly recommend Wild Current Outfitters. Their canoes are located at the lake shore and Mike (the owner) is so friendly. I’ll never rent from anyone else.
- You do need to collect life jackets, etc. from the Jasper Adventure Center in the Town of Jasper, but the boats are located at the lake.
- Maligne Lake Boathouse. Located on Maligne Lake as well, you can rent from the boathouse right on Maligne Lake if you find yourself there and find you’re wanting to rent a canoe.
Spending more time in Jasper? Find out 26 awesome things to do in Jasper.
Option Two: The Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island
There is a Spirit Island boat tour that leaves from the Maligne Lakeshore that will take you all the way to Spirit Island. These tours leave every 15 minutes and are a quick way to get there.
Pros of Getting There by Tour
IT’S FAST
If you’re short on time, the Boat Tour is a fast way to see Spirit Island. The entire tour is around 1.5 hours total.
ANYONE CAN TAKE THE BOAT TOUR
If you cannot paddle a canoe or kayak, then this may be the only way to see Spirit Island. The boat tour is accessible to anyone, making it the only option for some.
Cons of Getting There by Tour
LIMITED TIME AT SPIRIT ISLAND
Getting to Spirit Island by Boat Tour only allows you 15 minutes on the Island itself. Now, there isn’t a whole lot to do here anyway, but if you’re trying to share the same viewpoint with everyone else on your tour boat, it can get kind of crowded and stressful. You spend a lot of money on the boat tour just to fight for a spot for a photo.
Usually, there is only one tour boat there at a time and they try to limit the number of visitors, but it can get crowded depending on how many people signed up for your particular time.
BOATS POLLUTE THE WATER
In my opinion, running a boat tour every 15 minutes every single day is overkill and so harmful. It disrupts the peace of Maligne Lake and Spirit Island and I can’t see how it is good for the water.
IS THE MALIGNE LAKE BOAT CRUISE WORTH IT?
In my opinion, the boat tour is expensive for a quick ride on the lake and only 15 minutes at Spirit Island with a bunch of other tourists trying to get the same picture at the same viewpoint in a short amount of time. Plus, I think the boat cruise really feeds into over-tourism and the pollution of Maligne Lake. Running multiple boats every 15 minutes all day everyday, in my opinion, is not how you protect this sacred place and keep the Rockies pristine.
In my opinion, there are SO MANY incredible things to do in Jasper that you could spend your money on (try the Jasper Sky Tram, Miette Hot Springs, a canoe tour on Pyramid Lake…). If you’re on a budget, I probably wouldn’t spend my money on the boat cruise. But, if you have a ton of room in your budget – Maligne Lake and Spirit Island are stunning. If you’re into photography or the cruise is the only way you could get there, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed in the scenery.
Spirit Island, Jasper FAQ
No, Spirit Island is a sacred place for the Indigenous Peoples and you cannot walk on it. There are small signs on the shoreline asking visitors not to walk on Spirit Island. It also has a fragile ecosystem, and in order to protect it, visitors are not allowed on Spirit Island.
Spirit Island is so famous because it is so picturesque, and is one of the most photographed spots in the Rockies. It’s a very popular image online and so naturally, people want to visit it. Spirit Island was first made famous when it was photographed by Peter Gale for the photography brand, Kodak.
You’ll need to visit Spirit Island when Maligne Lake is not frozen, meaning you can visit typically in Lake June to early October, depending on snowfall. The best time of day to visit Spirit Island from a photography standpoint is late afternoon for the best lighting. If you’re just trying to see Spirit Island, any time of day is pretty!
You cannot hike to Spirit Island – it is only accessible by boat. To get to Spirit Island you’ll have to book a Maligne Lake Boat Cruise tour or rent a canoe or kayak and paddle there yourself.
No, because you are not allowed to walk on Spirit Island, this means you also cannot camp on Spirit Island. The closest place to camp by Spirit Island is Fishermans Bay campground on Maligne Lake. It is around a 0.5km paddle from Spirit Island.
Yes! Maligne Lake is one of my favourite lakes in the Canadian Rockies. If you’re planning to visit Maligne Lake, make sure to do one of the many hikes that leave from there (there are some for all skill levels) or rent a canoe to have some fun time out on the water.
Spirit Island is located in the province of Alberta, Canada, on Maligne Lake in Jasper National Park.
How to Get to Maligne Lake
Because Spirit Island is on Maligne Lake, I wanted to include a bit about the journey of getting there.
Maligne Lake is my absolute favourite lake in Jasper. To get to Maligne Lake, you’ll need to get on Maligne Lake Road from the Yellowhead Highway (Highway 16). Maligne lake Road will take you all the way to the lakeshore. It’s about a 42 minute drive from the turnoff on the Yellowhead to the Lakeshore – without stopping.
The road to the Lake is known for animal sightings, so please drive with care and be careful with your speed – sometimes animals can pop out of the trees without warning! Keep your eyes peeled for animal sightings – but please remember to just slow down and keep driving. Parks Canada has been asking visitors to stay in their vehicles and not stop when they spot an animal.
- Jasper Town to Maligne Lake: About a 50 minute drive
- Lake Louise to Maligne Lake: Around a 3 hour and 20 minute drive
- Edmonton to Maligne Lake: About a 4.5 hour drive
All of the times listed do not include factoring in stops – which you’ll most likely want to do! There are a few places to see on Maligne Lake Road, including:
- Maligne Canyon: An easy Jasper hike through a canyon with amazing waterfalls and scenery. The parking lot here fills up, so arrive early for the best chance at parking! Maligne Canyon is open year round, you can even walk on the frozen canyon floor during the winter.
- Medicine Lake: A big, beautiful lake that is a great spot to stop to stretch your legs and take photos. Medicine Lake is surrounded by a burnt forest from a wildfire that burned through the area a while back. If you’re visiting in July, you’ll probably notice a lot of purple flowers, called fireweed, as you approach the lake.
Spirit Island Summary
Spirit Island is a true gem in the Canadian Rockies, with breathtaking views and stunning scenery! Because Spirit Island is only accessible by boat, you can choose to either rent a canoe/kayak, or pay to take the Maligne Lake Boat Cruise tour.
If you’re looking for adventure and an amazing memory out on the water, I would highly recommend renting a canoe or kayak to paddle yourself! For an even bigger adventure, book a camping spot at Fisherman’s Bay campground, which is a short paddle from Spirit Island. Camping overnight will also allow you to visit during sunrise or sunset when the tour boats don’t run!
If you’re looking for a quick and convenient way to get to Spirit Island, or you cannot canoe/kayak, then the Maligne Lake Cruise is probably the better option for you. Keep in mind though, you’ll only get around 15 minutes on the island, and the viewing platform is tiny. It’ll be a little crowded and could detract from your experience.
Ultimately it comes down to personal preference! Just don’t forget to also leave time to explore the Maligne Lakeshore and stop at Maligne Canyon and Medicine Lake on your way!
Hopefully this Guide on How to get to Spirit Island helped you plan your trip!
Any questions? Send me a DM on Instagram!
Find me on: Instagram | Pinterest
Read More:
- 26 Things to do in Jasper National Park
- Where to Stop Along the Icefields Parkway
- Canadian Rockies Trip Planning Guide
Save This Post:
Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
Lissa says
We are heading to Jasper next June and I’m trying to get up the courage to do a one night canoe/camping trip. Our boys will be 13, so I don’t think it’s too crazy?! I think if we left really early like you recommend, then leave our campsite early the next morning we could do it… I’ve got a year to convince myself! LOL!
Kat says
Oh my gosh you are going to have the best time!!! You’ll have so much fun. If you want to do an overnight canoe trip but are worried about the distance, a great option would be the Hidden Cove Campground – it’s a lot shorter of a paddle from the lakeshore of Maligne Lake but still super pretty! Or if you’re able to get a spot at Fisherman’s Bay Campground, I bet you’d be okay to paddle there with the four of you! When we left suuuper early it was to the farthest campground which is quite a distance to go – this year I’m heading to the middle campground (Fishermans Bay) in August so I will update this post with that experience after! 🙂 Highly recommend it though it is amazing 🙂
Hannah says
Spirit Island looks stunning! I don’t think I would be able to canoe or kayak though. I’ve only done it once in my lifetime and can’t imagine doing it for 4 hours. Kudos to you! Also, your photos are stunning.
Kat says
Thanks Hannah! It was such a challenge for me haha, I didn’t know if I could do it either! I was definitely dead tired afterward. Thanks for your comment! 🙂
Ashlee Fechino says
Hi Kat! It is so fun to read your blog. A kayak trip to Spirit Island sounds like our kind of adventure. Thank you for sharing this magical place and how to get there.
Kat says
Hi Ashlee! Thank you so much! I love reading your blog as well, thanks for your comment 🙂
Marianne says
We loved our Maligne Lake cruise during our last visit to Jasper. Was definitely a highlight of the trip!
Kat says
Awesome!! Maligne Lake is so pretty!
A Capone Connection says
Your pictures look incredible and that water is incredible. Definitely would love to go here and see it for myself. Thanks so much for sharing!
Kat says
Thank you so much! It is such a pretty place to see, pictures don’t do it justice which is hard to believe!
Brittany says
Spirit Island looks so beautiful! And kayaking there sounds like so much fun. Thanks for putting this gorgeous spot on my radar!
Kat says
It is so beautiful! Kayaking there is such an adventure, Maligne Lake is so pretty! Thanks for your comment!