Apostle islands

Bugs can be hit or miss. Many launch from Bayfield , Washburn or even Little Sand Bay. The Islands have more to see and do than you have time. Pack a fleece jacket and plan on a North East wind in the afternoon. A fine adventure awaits.

Cheers!
Chris
 
Lighthouses, Outer Island is my personal favorite island. Sea caves on Devils island. Rocky has some old family fish camps and a nice protected harbor to anchor in. It's basically a fresh water paradise. July usually has a black fly infestation. Sept/Oct. is best....fall colors.
 
I've been boating in the Apostle Islands since 1975 and I still never tire of it—so many things to do and see. It depends on what you like to do.

First tips I have is determining how long you want to be out. From furthest to closest boat ramp access to the islands are: Kreher Park in Ashland, no overnight parking fee (check with marina if parking longer than a few days). Washburn Marina: overnight parking fee. Bayfield: ramp fee, no overnight parking fee but has a three day limit for the dedicated boat ramp parking, however you can park on the adjacent street but in summer that can be quite busy), Red Cliff marina, overnight parking fee. Little Sand Bay has no overnight parking fee, lots of parking in the Park Service lot and overnight docks first come first served. Little Sand Bay is my favorite for ease of parking and longer outings. Because it is exposed to North East winds it can be dicey.

Listen to NOAA. They update the forecast at 4pm—I've experienced a change in forecast from NE at 15 to 20 to SW at 15 to 20 after a 4 pm update.

Brian
 
Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is our favorite destination--fishing in Apr, May, Sept, Oct--camping/kayaking in Jun, Jul, Aug.

Our album has photos of some of our common anchorages/docks/places we visit.

This spring was the busiest boating traffic we have seen. Seems to be shaping up for a busy summer.
 
The Apostle's are a great place to go boating. Various channels allow you to pick one to pretty much stay out of the wind. Bayfield has a nice ramp, although a bit tight entering and leaving. However, long term parking in Bayfield can be an issue. I prefer to use Little Sand Bay. I think it's like $7 to launch, and parking is free. I've left my rig there for a week at a time with no problem. There is also a small marina there, but no power or water. Just docks and honor pay system. However, this marina and ramp are open to northerly winds and can be a bit rough in that case. Raspberry Island Light was rehabbed not too long ago and is a nice lighthouse to visit. The twin's on Michigan are also pretty neat. Not sure if they are all open again due to Covid. All the lighthouses are neat to see. Devils Island has the seacaves which are a real treat. Manitou Island Fish Camp is interesting, and Stockton Island has some nice trails. It's also supposedly got the largest population of Black Bears, none of which I've ever seen there... Water levels were pretty high the past couple of years, but I hear they've come down some this year. Big Bay state park on the back side of Madeleine Island has some nice beaches, and the front side of Madeliene has a neat little town with Tommy's Place, worth visiting. Bayfield has a lot of neat little shops to go through, and some good restaurants. The Apostle Islands marina at Bayfield is right down town. Nice museum right across the street. Definitely worth the trip up there. Enjoy! Colby
 
Chris Bulovsky":38b8mtyx said:
Bugs can be hit or miss. Many launch from Bayfield , Washburn or even Little Sand Bay. The Islands have more to see and do than you have time. Pack a fleece jacket and plan on a North East wind in the afternoon. A fine adventure awaits.

Cheers!
Chris
Click to expand...

Indeed -- this was yesterday weather, from Duluth News Tribune, where temps (and winds!) switched twice over 24 hrs in less than 20 minutes -- with drastic changes in temp/wind:

"The thermometer at Park Point's Sky Harbor Airport hit a remarkable 97 degrees Saturday afternoon — and then immediately plummeted to just 64.
The 33-degree dip over the course of just 20 minutes was a reverse of what had occurred less than 24 earlier, when the harbor went from 68 to 93 degrees over the same timeframe."

Have to pack for 3 seasons of weather -- all of which happen in the same day.
 
Yesterday, the SW/NE wind switch also created 4 to 6 ft waves and a strong rip current.

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Duluth News Tribune reports: "Duluth Fire Department and St. Louis County Rescue Squad personnel rescue a swimmer from a rip current in Lake Superior off Park Point Saturday evening, June 5, 2021, and bring him aboard the Marine 19 rescue boat. After a midday wind shift, rescue personnel estimated waves in the area were 4 feet high."
 
Thank you all for the posts. It's clear to me, I'll need to take the trip when I have more time and experience. It is on my bucket list. Thanks for the wealth of information that is the hallmark of this community.
 
Great topic - for those who are seasonal visitors... anyone rent a transient slip at one of the local marinas... for days or weeks at a time and found a reasonable way to rent somewhere to stay on the mainland if the weather keeps you in the harbor? (Looking for something better than the normal high season day rate at hotels and/or condos.

I'm looking into that now and would appreciate any advice.

JonO.
 
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