The Great Lakes are well deserving of their name. Combined, they contain 21% of the World’s surface fresh water, and their surface area is roughly equal in size to the United Kingdom. But as grandiose as all five Great Lakes are, none is greater than Lake Superior – the biggest freshwater lake in the world.
On the far eastern end of Lake Superior, you’ll find Lake Superior Provincial Park, one of the most beautiful and accessible sections of the Lake. Many call the Park the crown jewel of Algoma Country – a region within Northern Ontario that’s well known for its incredible wilderness and outdoor adventure opportunities. That’s why I made the 10-hour drive from the Nation’s Capital region – to discover Lake Superior Provincial Park for myself on a five day, solo sea kayaking trip – a trip that I’ve looked forward to for a very long time.
Day 1 – Sinclair Cove and Agawa Rocks
Setting out from Sinclair Cove on the southern end of the Park, I enjoyed blue skies and calm seas on my first day.
Although the water of Lake Superior looks almost tropical at times, it is dangerously cold throughout the year, peaking at 19-degrees Celsius (67-degrees Fahrenheit) in mid-summer.
Day 2 – Kayaking Around Cape Gargantua
On Day 2 the wind picked up and the water got rougher as I traveled 20km from Beatty Cove around Cape Gargantua and through the Gargantua Islands Preserve. The area is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful places on the entire Lake Superior Coast, and it was easy to see why. It’s also a place of great spiritual significance to the Batchewana First Nation, whose cultural heritage is rooted here.
Even though the P&H Scorpio sea kayak I was using has lots of space to store gear, I needed to strap a bag to the back deck of the kayak because of all the extra camera gear that I was carrying. To minimize the impact of the bag on my stability and my ability to roll the kayak, I filled the bag with light and bulky items, like my sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and bulky clothes. I also used this trip to test a variety of other paddling and camping gear, including the new Aqua Bound Tetra Ultralight paddle and NRS Swig Hydration pack, which I both enjoyed so much that I gave them a PaddleTV Award. Check out the other products that I gave PaddleTV Awards to HERE.
There are many sections of the Lake Superior coast where landing and getting out is impossible, especially during rough conditions. It’s a good idea to take the opportunity to stretch the legs whenever there’s a nice landing spot available.
Day 3 – A Rough Day of Kayaking on Lake Superior
Setting out from Chalfant Bay on Day 3, the water was beautiful and sheltered, but the wind in the treetops was a giveaway that things would be different when I reached exposed water.
The coast of Lake Superior has so many coves, bays, and nooks to explore.
A 5-mile crossing with sustained 20 mph winds and 35 mph gusts made for an extremely challenging and nerve racking afternoon that involved rounding the most exposed headland of Lake Superior Provincial Park – Cap Chaillon. Watch the nerve racking crossing on my new YouTube channel @KenWhitingAdventures.
With a strong tailwind all day long, I almost doubled my planned distance on Day 3, which brought me to a beautiful campsite in Brule Harbour.
Day 4 – The Paddle Home to Michipicoten Bay
The final day of paddling from Brule Harbour to Rock Island Lodge in Michipicoten Bay takes you along one of the most beautiful shorelines in the Park.
It’s hard not to feel very small when you’re paddling in an environment that’s so vast.
Taking a final break before making the last push to Michipicoten Bay, where a comfy bed awaited at the Rocky Island Lodge. I was sad to finish the trip, but my shoulder was thankful for the break. This would be my last day paddling for 6 months, as my should issue turned out to be a combination of a torn rotator cuff, tendinosis, and the beginnings of a frozen shoulder. This would turn out to be the longest break from paddling that I’ve had in over 30 years.
For guided paddling trips on Lake Superior, shuttles, or kayak rentals check out Naturally Superior Adventures.
For great accommodation on Lake Superior, check out Rock Island Lodge.
Check out my full review of the P&H Scorpio Kayak
Watch my full Lake Superior Paddling Adventure
