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Do NOT Ever Take Your Kids On Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island in Jasper, AB

Learn reasons Why you should never visit Spirit Island, nor take the Maligne Lake Cruise, while traveling through Jasper National Park in Alberta, Canada with your family. …unless…

Maligne Lake and its Spirit Island in Jasper, Alberta are some of the most visited bucket-list family-friendly destinations in Canada, and in the World. Spirit Island is an iconic image of most Instagram and Pinterest representations of Canada’s most famous National Parks – Banff and Jasper – and its magnificent Rocky Mountains. Yet, is Maligne Lake really that awesome-of-a-place? This post will explain why you should never take your family on the Maligne Lake Cruise Boat Tour to Spirit Island when in Jasper. …unless…

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Do NOT ever take your kids to Maligne Lake in Alberta …unless you want them to see one of the most beautiful places in the World! 

The largest, and one of the most beautiful glacier lakes in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, Maligne Lake is famous for the colour of its turquoise water, the surrounding Rocky Mountain peaks, the three glaciers visible from the lake, and its iconic Spirit Island. Maligne Lake, with its Spirit Island, is rated one of the top Instagrammed sports in Jasper.

Spirit Island is accessible only by boat, and is located 14 km away from the Maligne Chalet – approx. two thirds of the way down Maligne Lake, at Samson Narrows. The total length of Maligne Lake is 22 km.

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You can find photos of Spirit Island anytime and anywhere where there is a discussion about the beauty of Canadian nature, the Alberta National Parks, or the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

A visit to Spirit Island and the Maligne Lake Cruise is typically on every tourist's bucket list to Jasper, Alberta. It’s like: if you do not have photos of Spirit Island – you have not been to Alberta. 

And indeed, once your boat docks the shore next to Spirit Island, and you embrace the serendipity of the landscape, the vibrant azure colours of Maligne Lake waters, the towering Rockies with glimpses of glaciers, the freshness of air… To stand there, to be there in the moment is, truthfully, mind-blowing. The real thing is way way better than you see on any photo or video ever made. 

Therefore your family should NOT EVER visit Spirit Island, nor travel to Alberta …unless you want to check-off one of Canada's top must-visit bucket-list locations! 

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Do NOT even consider Spirit Island Boat Tour …unless you only have a few days to explore Jasper, and want to see the best of Alberta quickly! 

Spirit Island of the Maligne Lake, is only accessible via a boat tour, a kayak or canoe. 

Boat Tour

Maligne Lake Cruise is the most convenient, no-frills way to explore the lake and get to Spirit Island quickly. 

The boat tour is overall 90 min long, and it only allocates about 20 min per group to board off and explore the island once you get there and before you have to head back. This is of course super-short, only enough to do a quick look-out hike and snap a few breathtaking photos. And not nearly enough to fully enjoy the experience. 

By the way, the boat does NOT actually dock on the island, and they do NOT allow you to hike to the actual island. Rather the cruise docks at the small peninsula from where you can see the Spirit Island. However, for ease of communication, I will be using the reference “on the Island” and “to the Island”, which would mean the docking location and the peninsula next to Samson Narrows where the Spirit Island look-out is located.

SPIRIT ISLAND VISIT TIP: make sure you use the bathroom near the Maligne Chalet Restaurant before the cruise boat leaves for the island, and do not drink more than absolutely necessary before and during the experience. The boat does not have a toilet, with the only bathroom facility located on Spirit Island. Considering you’ll only have 20 min on the island, you want to ensure you spend that time hiking, enjoying, taking photos, and NOT standing in line to use the bathroom. 

Oh, and by the way, if you have a large family a boat tour can get really expensive really quickly. Travelers can find the latest Maligne Lake Cruise pricing on the tour company website. 

Some families may be tempted to consider saving costs by opting in for a canoe or kayak paddle. Other than the official Maligne Lake Cruise boats, motorized boats are not allowed here – the same as in many of Alberta's Parks.

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Canoeing to Spirit Island

The paddle to Spirit Island is a 14km journey, with sometimes strong winds, waves made by passing tour boats, and unpredictable weather. The best-case scenario will take you approx. 4 hours of non-stop paddling. 

If you are determined or have experience in sub-alpine conditions = go for it! You can rent a canoe from the Maligne Boathouse facilities, or bring your own. The packing list for this Alberta adventure should include extra warm clothes, food, and water. …and unless you are planning to stay overnight at one of the backcountry campgrounds (there are no campsites at Spirit Island, but a few can be found within a short distance), plan to be back before the sun goes down. The upside of venturing out on your own is the unlimited time you can spend on Spirit Island and the freedom of making stops along the way to enjoy the incredible scenery of Alberta’s pristine nature. 

All about camping at Maligne Lake, Alberta can be found here.

In summary, if you are like most visitors to Jasper who have just a few days or a couple of weeks of vacation to spare for Alberta, and want to see all the other beauties Jasper has to offer (Mt. Edith Cavell & Angel Glacier, Valley of The Five Lakes, Maligne Canyon, Pyramid Lake, Jasper Gondola, Athabasca Falls, Columbia Icefields, etc.) – a boat tour to Spirit Island should be a perfect solution. 

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Plug your ears and do NOT listen to the guides on the Spirit Island Boat Tour …unless you want to learn some history and cool facts about Maligne Lake! 

Here I’d like to give sincere compliments to the Maligne Lake Cruise staff. All the tour guides that travelled with us were super fun, entertaining and knowledgeable about the history of the Jasper region. 

Apparently, Maligne Lake’s original name Indigenous name was “Chaba Imne” (Beaver Lake). The meaning of “Maligne” is from the French word for malignant or wicked. Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon, Maligne River, Maligne Mountain, and Maligne Pass were likely seen by early french settlers as overly treacherous, hence the name.

The cruise staff told us some details on how “the history of Maligne Lake, an iconic lake in Jasper National Park, Alberta, goes back to the beginning of the Canadian Rockies themselves…” 

We learned a few facts about archeological diggings in the area, as well as some history on railroad development and natural resources exploration. 

Also discussed the local wildlife and Jasper’s attempts to track its bear population. Oh, and did you know they actually do the wildlife tours where you can see Grizzly bears in the wild? Yes, they do!

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Do NOT make your reservations for Spirit Island Boat Tour in advance …unless you want to ensure you have a spot! 

Since the only way you can visit Spirit island is by boat, and a photo with it is on every tourist’s trip to Jasper bucket-list, you might imagine how popular the Maligne Lake Cruises are. Extremely popular. 

Recent experience with Covid pandemic added extra limitations, and has reduced the tour capacity quite significantly. Therefore, if you want to make it, book in advance! 

Maligne Lake cruises depart from the boathouse dock approximately every 15-30 min. Yet typically those fill out quickly, so you should book at least a few months in advance.

Good news: Maligne Lake Cruise is a part of the Banff & Jasper Collection of Alberta experiences, therefore you will be able to save quite a bit by purchasing a bundle package, which typically can include other attractions such as Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefield Adventure, etc. 

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Definitely do NOT check directions to Maligne Lake Cruise before you head there …unless you want to make it on time for your reservation! 

Since Spirit Island is the symbol of Jasper, and probably Alberta as well, it may seem that Maligne Lake is very close to town… Wrong. If you are staying in Jasper, it will take you close to an hour to get to Maligne Chalet and Boathouse, from where the cruise boats are departing. Add extra time on finding parking, a snack stop, and a bathroom run, and you’ll find you’ll need to be on the road at least 1.5 hours ahead of your scheduled Spirit Island boat tour. 

Directions to Maligne Lake Chalet & Cruise Tours

Location Map: Maligne Lake Rd, Improvement District No. 12, AB T0E 1E0

CLICK HERE for GPS coordinates to Maligne Lake Chalet Restaurant & Gift Shop

Time to drive to Maligne Lake Boat Tour launch dock:

• Jasper, AB to Maligne Lake: 50 min
• Banff, AB to Maligne Lake: 4 hours 15 min
• Canmore, AB to Maligne Lake: 4 hours 30 min
• Edmonton, AB to Maligne Lake: 4 hours 30 min
• Calgary, AB to Maligne Lake: 5 hours 30 min
• Vancouver, BC to Maligne Lake: 9 hours

Oh, and did we mention that the road to Maligne Lake is absolutely mind-blowing? You will be sooooo tempted to make a stop at Medicine Lake, I bet you. Dont. Better stop here on your way back. 

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Why use sunscreen on the Maligne Lake Boat Tour? Well… …do you want to get seriously sun-burned?

During your Maligne Lake cruise tour to Spirit Island, you would likely want to be on the boat deck embracing the beauty of it all. That is almost two hours out in the sun, although you may not even notice the time since the surroundings are simply stunning. 

To make it worse, on a bright and hot summer day, the sunlight is reflecting against the water, and amplifies your family’s sun exposure. 

A sun hat (firmly fixed as to not be blown away by the wind), sunglasses, long sleeved shirt or a rashguard, and sunscreen is strongly recommended. 

But please, don’t be THAT person spraying funny-smelling sunscreen while on the boat. I don’t even think they allow using sprays on a cruise, similar to Cuba and Hawaii, but I may be wrong. Here are some tips on how to manage sun exposure safely and in a healthy way, along with the most eco-friendly sunscreen brands available in Canada and USA: 9 Best Natural Sunscreens For Kids. Organic. Chemicals-Free.

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Yes! For sure you can throw your garbage into Maligne Lake off the Spirit Island Cruise! …unless you want to preserve this unique place for future generations.

I mean, hell NO! Definitely do NOT throw anything into the water or leave anything behind. Packed it in = pack it out. 

You’ve likely heard the phrase “Leave No Trace” at least once. What does it mean? Simply put, Leave No Trace Principles is a set of Outdoor Ethics and best practices outdoor adventurers should follow to enjoy natural spaces with the zero-impact goal in mind and to protect Mother Nature for future generations. Here is our comprehensive introduction to Leave No Trace principles: your actionable guide to exploring the Great Outdoors with your kids and pets with minimal to no impact. Leave No Trace & Outdoor Ethics – Zero Impact Family Adventures.

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Smoking

Smoking is prohibited when aboard Maligne Lake Cruise, on the Spirit Island, and in many places all around Jasper, Banff, all Alberta's Provincial Parks and National Parks in Canada. 

Even in places where smoking is allowed, you should not leave the cigarette butts on the ground. In addition to the potential fire hazard, the cigarette butts are toxic, and along with other small litter, can be mistaken by wildlife for food. 

If you are a smoker, consider bringing along one of those cool pocket smell-proof ashtrays: 

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Leave your camera at home when visiting Spirit Island in Jasper,  …unless you want to take home stunning photos and videos from your adventure! 

Did you know that the Spirit Island was a part of Kodak’s Colorama showcase in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal in summer 1960? 

Or that Apple used an image of Spirit Island when they launched the 2014 iPad model to showcase its extraordinary photography capabilities? Here are more cool facts about Spirit Island! 

If you don’t bring home amazing photos of Maligne Lake and Spirit Island, it is like you haven’t travelled to Alberta at all!

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TIPS to make the best photos of Spirit Island:

TIP 1: Season 

The Island is most beautiful in mid-to-late summer and early fall. And there are much less tourists in Jasper in September, hence you’ll have a smaller competition for the best photo spots when on Spirit Island. Book your Jasper National Park adventure for September! 

TIP 2: Timing

Best light for stunning photos of Maligne Lake and the surrounding Rockies is mid-late afternoon. Therefore if it is in your power, when making your schedule for Jasper visit, book Maligne Lake Cruise for a later time. 

TIP 3: Location

It is all about the location! There are really three cool locations you can get stunning photos from:

#1 First: the Spirit Island Lookout. Marked #1 on the map below. Remember that you only have about 20 min on the Samson Narrows peninsula, so we suggest that the second your boat docks  – run to the first location to avoid standing in line.

#2 Second: the lakeshore just below the lookout. From here you’ll have a similar view, yet a different “lower” perspective that can highlight the magical transition of the water colour from emerald to azure blue. 

#3 Third:  This should be the First really, as it is the one you can take photos from sooner. But not a big deal if you miss it.  This location is on the deck of your Maligne Cruise boat right when it passes through Samson Narrows, slows down, and starts turning around to head to the dock. From this vantage point, you can get to Spirit Island with the backdrop of the nearby mountain. If taken in earlier months – April-June – it will still be covered with snow and will look out of this world. 

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TIP 4: Photo & Video Gear

If you are filming video from aboard the Maligne Lake Cruise, ensure your gear has an anti-shake feature built-in. The boat is shaking like crazy, and is being thrown in directions by the waves, including from passing boats. 

Some of the cameras, for example the Fiji TX4 that we use, have this feature. 

Otherwise, it may be worth it to take your GoPro action camera with you. We’ve even used our heavy-duty jaw clamp mount to attach the GoPro to the boat itself and film the whole adventure.

If you only have the phone, we recommend using a gimbal to stabilize your phone and make your videos look like those have been done with a professional camera. The gimbal we have is DJI Osmo.

Always take extra batteries on your adventure: Maligne Lake Cruise doesn't have publicly available chargers or electric plugs to add juice to your gear. 

I also keep repeating again and again: always have extra SD memory cards. When exploring epic destinations like Jasper National Park, it is soooo easy to run out of space on your camera! The last time we went, we came back with over 200 GB of photos and videos! 

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For sure you should bring and fly your aerial drone with you …unless you do NOT want to be fined $25,000! 

Recreational drones are prohibited near Maligne Lake, Spirit Island, anywhere in Jasper, in most Alberta Parks. 

Believe it or not, you can be reported, and the fine is quite hefty: up to $25,000 and your pilot license suspension (if you have one that is). 

Don’t risk it, dont fly your drone in Jasper.

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Do NOT ever make reservations for lunch at Maligne Lake Chalet Restaurant! …unless you don’t like delicious food. Or if you want to drive almost an hour to another nearest food location.

Cruise and all, considering you will be spending at least 3-4 hours near Maligne Lake, especially if your family has kids travelling with you, plan your food.

Maligne Lake has The View Restaurant, the Chalet, the Lodge, a gift shop, and a Waffle Hut. 

The View – Maligne Lake’s gourmet high-end restaurant – is pricey, as you are paying the premium for the view. Yet, unlike other prime location restaurants (ex. Niagara Falls’ Table Rock restaurant), The View actually has delicious food, so you know what you are paying for. The dress code is relaxed, and befitting the free-spirit hiker-adventurer culture. Note that The View Restaurant has limited work hours and is open on the weekend only between 11 am and 4 pm. Book Maligne Lake Restaurant reservations either ahead of time, or before you board the boat cruise to Spirit Island to avoid the need to be part of a long waiting list. 

The Maligne Lake Chalet has a cafeteria-type coffee shop with a dining area. We are not quite sure of the hours of the dining area as there is no info on their website. Yet again, prepare for the prices: a coffee here is almost $5, although it is really good coffee. 

They also used to offer an afternoon tea in the historic restored Brewster Chalet nearby. However I am not sure what happened to it due to the covid hit. 

We also recommend to ensure having at least some snacks in your car, or being prepared for a picnic. What they do not tell you is that any other food location or a restaurant can be found no less than 40-50 min away. 

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Frequently Asked Questions, Hiking Safety & Practical Tips visiting Maligne Lake and Spirit Island in Jasper National Park, AB

Are dogs allowed on Maligne Lake Cruise?

No. Dogs, and other pets are not allowed onboard Maligne Lake Cruises to visit Spirit Island. 

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Are there toilets on Spirit Island or Maligne Lake Cruise? 

The Spirit Island Boat Tour does not have toilets onboard. There are washrooms near the main Maligne Lake Cruise dock from where the boat departs to Spirit Island. There are also eco-friendly dollar-powered washrooms on Spirit Island, located just off the dock. A special biodegradability system ensures all waste breaks down and causes a none-to-zero impact on the environment of Maligne Lake.

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Is Maligne Lake Cruise Wheelchair / Stroller Accessible?  Are trails at Spirit Island Accessible?

Yes. Maligne Lake Cruise is accessible to most standard wheelchairs. However not every boat has accommodations – accessible boats are in limited supply. Maligne Lake Tours management recommends contacting their central reservations to check which sailings are appropriate for guests with limited mobility.

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Concluding Notes

The title of this post “Do NOT Ever Take Kids On Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island in Jasper” is obviously a joke. By all means DO take your kids on your journey through Alberta, to Jasper, to Maligne Lake, and definitely take your whole family on a boat tour to Spirit Island! It is important to expose our kids to the pristine virgin beauty of our Mother Nature while we still can.

While active eager adventurers themselves, some parents may find it challenging to engage and interest their kids in being active. Not to worry, let us help you: Five Tried-And-True Outdoor Activities To Get Kids to Absolutely Love Hiking

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Enjoy!

Cheerfully yours,

Alexandra, Alex & Cosmos

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