Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island – Know Before You Go

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Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Is taking a Malign Lake cruise worth it? Maligne Lake and Spirit Island are definitely bucket list-worthy destinations for any trip to Jasper National Park.

The breathtaking mountains, turquoise glacial-fed lake and tree-lined island make it one of the most photographed places in the Canadian Rockies. And in our opinion, one of the best ways to experience these incredible vistas is to take a Maligne Lake cruise.

In fact, our Maligne Lake Cruise ended up being one of the highlights of our trip to Jasper! The cruise was very family-friendly, just the right amount of time, and we were able to learn so much about the area from our knowledgeable guides.

So, yes! Taking a Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island is definitely worth it if you are visiting Jasper National Park.

Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island – Know Before You Go

On the fence about whether or not to take the Maligne Lake Cruise while visiting Jasper? We cover everything there is to know about the experience, and why you need to add it to your Alberta bucket list.

Where is Maligne Lake?

Maligne Lake is located in Jasper National Park, approximately one hour from the Jasper townsite. At nearly 23km, Maligne Lake is the longest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies and the second-largest glacier-fed lake in the world.

How Do You Pronounce Maligne?

Thought to come from the French word for malignant or malicious, Maligne is pronounced MAH-LEEN (not ‘Malig-nee’ or ‘Ma-line’). It is believed that the lake was given its name due to the turbulent river that flows from the lake and through the canyon and mountains.

It is also possible that early French traders gave the river and lake its name, due to the river’s treacherous confluence (or meeting) with the Athabasca River.

How Long is the Maligne Lake cruise?

There are two Maligne Lake cruise options to choose from. The 1.5-hour Classic Cruise includes 15 minutes of free time at the world-famous Spirit Island.

If you decide to go with the Premium Cruise, it is 2 hours in length and allows for 30 minutes of free time at Spirit Island. There is also a brief stop at Pincushion Bay to soak in the incredible views.

The cruises are popular, especially during the peak season. Our recommendation is to make your reservations online as soon as possible, as dates often sell out quickly.

The Drive Up To Maligne Lake

If you are heading to Maligne Lake from the Jasper townsite, you are looking at just under a 1-hour drive. The route is quite scenic, taking you through lush forests and along Medicine Lake.

The drive is very straightforward. When you leave Jasper, take Highway 16 east for about 3 km and then take the turnoff for Maligne Lake Road.

Once you cross the iron bridge over the Athabasca River, stay to the left at the fork in the road. Follow the road until you reach the Maligne Lake parking area, which is pretty hard to miss.

Our advice is to be aware of the speed limit and take it slow.

Expect To See Some Wildlife

Jasper National Park is filled with a variety of wildlife including caribou, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, bears, and wolves, as well as many smaller creatures like marmots and pikas.

And the drive along Maligne Lake road is an awesome opportunity for wildlife sightings.

In fact, chances are pretty good you are going to run into an “animal jam” on the way to Maligne Lake.

An Animal Jam is where wildlife is either blocking the road and causing traffic to come to a stand-still or, there are people slowing down to look at wildlife at the side of the road, causing a slow-down.

We lost count after seeing about 20 moose of various sizes, and several big-horned sheep on our trip to Maligne Lake.

Our advice is to give yourself extra time to get to your cruise (at least 1 – 1.5 hours if coming from Jasper), just in case you get stuck in traffic.

And don’t forget to show these amazing animals the respect that they deserve. Give them plenty of space, stay in your car, and most importantly, DO NOT FEED the animals!

It is not safe, will make the animal sick, could get them killed, AND you can earn yourself an eye-watering fine if you are caught!

Arriving at Maligne Lake And Heading To The Dock

When you reach the Maligne Lake area, the first public parking lot is to the left, where you will find plenty of free parking. From the lot, follow the short trail through the forest to Maligne Lake.

The trail will take you to the ticket office, boathouse, Lakehouse, and Historic Chalet. Head straight down to the docks, where staff will be waiting to check you in for your cruise.

It is recommended that you arrive at least half-hour before your cruise departure.

The Boat Ride

The boats used for the Maligne Lake cruises are on the smaller side. Inside, you will find two rows of bench seating, which accommodate 3-4 people per bench.

Unfortunately, this means that not everyone will get a window seat. So if sitting at the window is important to you, we suggest lining up early.

There are no strollers allowed on the boats. So families travelling with young children will either need to use a carrier or decide if the kids can manage without.

On the upside, there really isn’t much walking to do once you get to Spirit Island anyway.

The boats are completely enclosed, with fairly large windows, and are fully heated for days that are chilly.

There is also an outdoor deck at the back of the boat where you can feel the wind in your hair as you soak in the scenery.

But just a heads up, only a few people are allowed on the deck at a time. And the downside to standing outside is you will miss the commentary given by the awesome guides, as there are no outdoor speakers.

Sit back and enjoy the ride as the knowledgeable guides give you a little background on the history of Maligne Lake, as well as enlighten you on its geology, wildlife, weather, flora and fauna.

Learn how Mary Schäffer, a wealthy Quaker and artist from Philadelphia, received a map in 1907 from an Indigenous guide named Samson Beaver.

In 1908, Mary then set out on an expedition from Banff, becoming the first European to explore the Maligne Lake and valley area.

If Lake Louise is a pearl, Maligne is the entire pearl necklace.

Mary Schäffer

Spirit Island

It will take approximately 30 minutes to arrive at Spirit Island, which is the turnaround point of the cruise. Passengers are then allowed to disembark and explore the area on their own.

Visitors can the short path which forms a loop from the docks to the viewing points overlooking Spirit Island.

The path is uneven at times, with many rocks sticking out of the ground. This may present a challenge to people with mobility issues.

Spirit Island is actually a peninsula with a small grove of trees on it. It only becomes a true island for a few days in the spring when the melting snow and heavy rains cause the water level to rise.

Spirit Island is surrounded by emerald waters and is flanked on three sides by a ring of impressive peaks and glaciers forming a “box canyon” – a narrow canyon with a flat bottom and vertical walls.

🚢 Fun Fact: The colour of the water is different at Spirit Island compared to where cruises depart at the Maligne Lake docks. The water seems to change from turquoise to emerald green the further south on the lake you travel. This is due to the fact that the closer you get to glaciers, the higher the concentration of rock flour from the glaciers can be found in the water.

Will I Get Wet on the Cruise?

For the most part, the answer is ‘no’. The boats used for the cruise are covered. There may be a bit of water spray if the windows are open when the boat picks up speed, or if you are standing outside on the deck.

There are only two ways to reach Spirit Island and they are both by boat. Most visitors to Spirit Island will arrive on a guided cruise tour. The other way to reach the island is by personal watercraft such as a canoe or kayak.

Just be advised, personal motorized boats are not allowed on Maligne Lake. Since Spirit Island is located approximately 14 km from the docks at Home Bay, it will be hard to get there on your own. Paddling can take about four hours each way!

History

The island is considered a spiritual place for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation, who believe mountains are physical representations of their ancestors.

And because Spirit Island is surrounded on three sides by the same mountain range, this very rare phenomenon makes it particularly significant to the Stoney people.  

Today, the box canyon is referred to as the “Hall of Gods.”

Can You Walk on Spirit Island?

Because the Island is of spiritual significance to the Stoney Nakoda First Nations, and to preserve the area in its natural state, walking onto the island is not permitted out of respect.

When is the Best Time to Take a Maligne Lake Cruise?

The best time to visit Lake Maligne and Spirit Island is from mid-June to late October. This is when Maligne Lake has thawed from the winter and the boat cruises are able to operate.

If you are wondering when is the best time to visit the island from a photography standpoint, aim for late afternoons.

During the summer, the sun moves west across the sky and will shine almost straight down on the island around 4 pm.

This magic hour gives the best photo results. But considering Spirit Island is one of the most beautiful and scenic spots in Alberta, we are pretty sure your photos will be stunning no matter what time of day you take them!

🚢 Fun Fact: Apple used an image of Spirit Island when they launched the 2014 iPad model to showcase its heightened photography capabilities.

What Amenities Are Available at Maligne Lake?

You can find restrooms, gift shops, and places to grab a bite when you arrive at Maligne Lake for your cruise. However, once you are on the boat, or at Spirit Island, these amenities become extremely limited.

Restaurants

You will find three food options when you arrive at Maligne Lake. These restaurants only operate seasonally, so you may want to check their availability if you are heading there during the shoulder seasons.

Your options include The Lakehouse which serves grab-and-go style food, the Waffle Hut which offers coffee and decadent waffle options, and the View, which is the outdoor lakeside patio restaurant with great a la cart options.

Gifts Shop

Head into The Lakehouse where you will find a pretty large gift shop, along with the restaurant.

You will be able to find all the usual souvenirs, along with some really unique pieces by local indigenous artists.

Restrooms

Restrooms are available in the parking lot, as well as in the Lakehouse and Waffle Hut. Your best bet is to go before your cruise, as there are no facilities on the boat itself.

Once you reach Spirit Island, you will find environmentally friendly pit toilets there. But seeing as you are only on the island for a very short time, you wouldn’t want to waste it waiting to use the potty!

Other Things to Do at Maligne Lake

Aside from taking a cruise, there are plenty of other great things to do at Maligne Lake. In fact, the lake is one of the most popular recreational areas in Jasper National Park.

Rent a Boat

If you happen to be visiting during the summer months, you can choose to rent canoes, rowboats, Stand Up Paddle Boards and kayaks, for an adventure on the water.

The boathouse by the main docks rents out boats by the hour or the full day.

Boats are rented on a first-come-first-serve basis so the best chance to secure a rental is to arrive early in the morning or late in the evening.

Go for a Hike

Maligne Lake is home to a number of incredible hiking trails. Whether you are looking for a short loop or a longer and more demanding trail, you will find it at Maligne Lake.

Mary Schaffer Loop

• Length: 3.2 km return loop
• Duration: 1.0 hour
• Elevation Gain: 82 meters
• Difficulty: Easy
• Best Time To Go: All Year

This amazing trail will loop through some beautiful forests. It starts and ends at Maligne Lake, and is easy enough that it can be done even in the winter.

This is the busiest trail near Maligne Lake, so try to get on the trail early in the morning or later in the evening.

Moose Lake Loop

• Length: 2.7 km return loop
• Duration: 1.0 hour
• Elevation Gain: 144 meters
• Difficulty: Easy to moderate
• Best Time To Go: All Year

Although this trail is shorter, it has more of an elevation gain to make it a little more challenging. The trail starts at Maligne Lake and takes you over to Moose Lake.

Opal Hills Loop

Length: 7.9 km return loop
Duration: 2.5 – 3.0 hours
Elevation Gain: 520 meters
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Time To Go: All Year

Opal Hills is a longer and more demanding hike near Maligne Lake. Due to its difficulty, you will find very few crowds on this trail.

In the summer, be sure to head to the lake viewpoint. During the winter, this trail is a great place to snowshoe.

Bald Hills Loop

Length: 15 km return loop
Duration: 6.5 – 8.0 hours
Elevation Gain: 780 meters
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Time To Go: All Year

If you are looking for a longer day hike option near Maligne Lake, then the Bald Hills Loop is a perfect choice.

It is pretty steep and demanding at points, so be sure to pack the right gear and bring enough water. Of course, this hike rewards you for your efforts with absolutely amazing views of the mountains, glaciers and lake.

Can You Swim in Maligne Lake?

Swimming in Maligne Lake is allowed, but you do so at your own risk. Even though the gorgeous blue waters look really tempting, the glacier-fed lake remains extremely cold for swimming, even in the hot summer months. 

Can You Fish at Maligne Lake?

Fishing on Maligne Lake is allowed, provided you have a Park pass and fishing permit, and that you are aware of current regulations.

This means you need to know the fishing limits, as well as be able to identify the various fish within the park.

There is no live bait fishing allowed in the park. Kids under the age of 16 are allowed to fish on their accompanied pass, but just be aware, their catch is included within the permit holders’ daily limit.

A daily fishing permit from Parks Canada will cost you $9.80 per person. You can also opt for an annual permit which will cost $34.30.

Final Thoughts on the Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island

Taking a Maligne Lake cruise is definitely one of the best things to do in Jasper National Park. Not only will you experience the incredible beauty of Spirit Island, but you will have the opportunity to learn about the area’s rich history. This cruise should be on everyone’s Alberta bucket list!

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