"We were so lucky to see so much wildlife during the tour, including a grizzly bear, a moose, and an eagle! Our guide, Jack, was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and really went out of his way to help us spot wildlife. Maligne Lake was absolutely beautiful, too. I highly recommend this tour!"
Maligne Lake cruise Closed for winter
Reopens on 28 May 2027 and runs to 10 October 2027. Both tours on this site already have 2027 dates in their calendars.
Jasper National Park · Alberta · Canada
Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island: The Guided Tour from Jasper
See Spirit Island without the drive: a 6-hour guided tour from Jasper with pick-up, a lakeshore stroll at Medicine Lake, wildlife spotting through the Maligne Valley, and the 90-minute Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island, the Canadian Rockies view you can only reach by water.
From
US$167
per person
Price checked October 2026
Free cancellation
- 4.8 / 5 714+ Reviews
- 6 hours Duration
- Glacier-Fed Lake Jasper National Park
- Spirit Island Reachable only by boat
- Includes the Cruise Guided day-tour
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
What the Maligne Lake Cruise Tour Includes
A 6-hour guided day from Jasper: the Maligne Valley by minibus, a stop at Medicine Lake, and the 90-minute cruise across glacier-fed Maligne Lake to Spirit Island.
Highlights
- Experience Jasper's best opportunity to see wildlife
- Enjoy a 90-minute cruise on Maligne Lake
- Look for bears, elk, moose and many more animals
- Stroll along the lakeshore of Medicine Lake
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Live commentary
- Insights into Jasper’s wildlife, nature and local area
- Scenic stops throughout the Maligne Valley, including Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake
- 90-minute Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island
- Pick-up and drop-off at listed hotels for registered guests or at the listed central location (Two Brothers Totem Pole)
- Transportation by air-conditioned minibus
How to Book Your Maligne Lake Cruise Tour
Four steps from choosing a date to boarding the boat at Maligne Lake.
Choose Your Date
The tour runs in the open-water season: the 2027 cruise season is 28 May to 10 October, and this tour's 2027 dates are already in the calendar. Summer dates fill first, so book early if your trip falls in July or August.
Pick Your Pick-up Point
Hotel pick-up is only for registered guests at the properties listed when you book. If yours is not listed, choose the Two Brothers Totem Pole, across from the Jasper Park Information Centre (500 Connaught Dr), and be there 15 minutes before departure.
Book Online
Reserve through GetYourGuide; you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Maligne Lake has limited cell service, so save your booking details before you leave Jasper town.
Ride, Stroll, Cruise
Your guide drives you through the Maligne Valley in an air-conditioned minibus, with a lakeshore stroll at Medicine Lake and an eye out for moose, elk and bears, then you board the 90-minute Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island. About 6 hours in all; food is not included, so bring a packed lunch or money for food.
Photo Gallery
Maligne Lake & Spirit Island — Through the Lens
Glacier-fed turquoise water, the surrounding Rockies peaks, the wildlife of the Maligne Valley and the iconic view of Spirit Island.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your date and pick-up point. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour.
Guided Tour or Cruise-Only Ticket?
Every option ends at the same Spirit Island viewpoint. The difference is whether you drive yourself to Maligne Lake for the boat alone, or let a guide take you there with the Maligne Valley on the way. Prices checked in October 2026 and subject to change.
| Feature | BOOK HERE Guided Tour with Maligne Cruise | Cruise-Only Ticket | Maligne Valley Wildlife & Spirit Island Cruise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From US$167 per person | Set by the operator | From US$139 |
| Where It's Sold | GetYourGuide, booked on this site | Pursuit, on its own website (not sold here) | GetYourGuide, booked on this site |
| What You Get | Guided Maligne Valley tour, Medicine Lake stop and the Spirit Island cruise | The Spirit Island cruise only | Guided Maligne Valley tour and the Spirit Island cruise |
| Spirit Island Cruise | Included (90 minutes) | Yes (about 90 minutes) | Included |
| Getting to Maligne Lake | Pick-up at listed Jasper hotels or the Two Brothers Totem Pole | Drive yourself, about 1 hour each way | Pick-up from your Jasper hotel |
| Total Time | About 6 hours | About 90 minutes on the water, plus the drive | About 5.5 to 6 hours |
| Wildlife Spotting | Yes, a focus of the tour | On the water only | Yes, through moose and elk habitat |
| Guide | Professional guide throughout | Onboard cruise guide | Professional guide throughout |
| Rating | 4.8 (714 reviews) | Not rated here | 4.6 (280 reviews) |
| Free Cancellation | Yes, up to 24 hours before | Check the operator's terms | Yes, up to 24 hours before |
| Check Availability | Operator's Website | See This Tour |
Here Before the Cruise Reopens? Winter in the Maligne Valley
The lake stays frozen until late May, but the valley does not close: a guided canyon icewalk from mid-December, a winter wildlife tour from Jasper hotels and the Jasper Planetarium, each with free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
CANYON ICEWALKJasper: Maligne Valley and Pleckaitis Canyon Icewalk
A 3-hour guided winter walk into Pleckaitis Canyon, with stops at Medicine Lake and the Maligne Valley Lookout. Boots, ice cleats, a helmet and poles are provided, with round-trip transport from Jasper.
WINTER WILDLIFEJasper: Winter Wildlife Bus Tour in Jasper National Park
A 3.5-hour small-group bus tour from Jasper hotels through the Athabasca Valley, looking for elk, deer, bighorn sheep and, with luck, moose or wolves. Minimal walking.
DARK SKYJasper: Jasper Planetarium Dark Sky Experience
Three hours at the Jasper Planetarium at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge: the dome show, its telescopes and a guided constellation walk to a nearby dark-sky site, with a two-year rain check if the sky is cloudy.
Field Notes
The Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island, Explained
What the guided tour covers, why Spirit Island can only be reached by boat, what it means to the Stoney Nakoda, and the small choices that make the day better.
The Maligne Lake cruise exists for one view. Spirit Island sits about fourteen kilometres down a lake hemmed in by glaciers, with no road, no trail and no shoreline path that reaches it — the only way to stand in front of that scene is to board a boat at Home Bay and sail there. That single fact is why the cruise has become one of the most sought-after experiences in Jasper National Park, and it’s worth understanding before you book.
This is a field guide to doing it as a guided day from Jasper: what the tour includes, how the day unfolds, and how it differs from a cruise-only ticket. Maligne Lake is the largest glacier-fed lake in the Canadian Rockies, fed by meltwater that carries fine rock flour, which is what gives the lake its luminous turquoise-to-jade colour on a bright day.
What the tour actually includes
The trip booked on this site is a 6-hour guided tour from Jasper that has the Maligne Lake cruise at its centre. A guide picks you up — at the listed Jasper hotels for registered guests, or at the Two Brothers Totem Pole across from the Jasper Park Information Centre — and drives the Maligne Valley in an air-conditioned minibus, with live commentary on the wildlife, history and geology along the way. The first stop is Medicine Lake, for a short stroll on the shore of the lake locals call “the disappearing lake”. Then comes Maligne Lake and the 90-minute cruise to Spirit Island. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included, so bring a packed lunch or money for food.
Spirit Island is reachable only by boat — the cruise isn't an add-on to the view, it's the only way to see it. Field Notes · Issue 01
Guided tour or cruise-only ticket?
The cruise boats on Maligne Lake are operated by Pursuit, which sells cruise-only tickets on its own website. That ticket suits you if you have a car and only want the boat: you drive the hour from Jasper yourself, park at the lake and board. This site does not sell that ticket. What it offers is the guided day around the cruise: no driving or parking, a guide watching the roadside for moose, elk and bears, and the Medicine Lake stop on the way. If you are not driving, or you want the valley as well as the island, the tour is the simpler way to do it.
Spirit Island, and why you view it from a platform
Despite the name, Spirit Island is not really an island. It’s a tied island — a small stand of spruce joined to the shore by a narrow gravel isthmus that only disappears underwater when the lake runs high. From the boat dock, visitors walk a short path to a designated viewing platform and photograph the island from across a small inlet; you do not set foot on the island itself. That restraint is deliberate. The site holds deep spiritual significance for the Stoney Nakoda (Îyârhe Nakoda) people, and keeping visitors to the platform protects both the place and the fragile shoreline. Treat it as the sacred and protected spot it is, and the visit is richer for it. For a closer look at how to reach the island and how the tour options compare, see our guide to the Spirit Island boat cruise.
When to go
The cruise runs only in the open-water season, once the ice has cleared: Pursuit’s published 2027 season runs from 28 May to 10 October 2027, and this tour’s 2027 dates are already in the calendar. Within that season the tour runs in all weather — bring warm layers and a rain jacket, because it is cool on a glacier-fed lake even in midsummer. The Maligne Valley is some of the best wildlife country in Jasper; sightings are never guaranteed, but the tour watches for moose, black bears and occasionally grizzlies, and recent reviews of this tour mention moose, elk and a grizzly seen along the way.
Here between October and late May? The lake is frozen and no boats run, but the valley has a winter of its own. Jasper in winter covers what runs until the cruise returns: the Pleckaitis Canyon icewalk (Maligne Canyon itself is closed until further notice), winter wildlife tours and the Jasper Planetarium.
Plan the day
Five short guides answer the questions people ask most: is the cruise worth it, what it costs, when it runs, how to get there from Jasper and whether you can paddle to Spirit Island.
Good to know
A small amount of walking is involved, so wear comfortable shoes; the tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Maligne Lake is a remote spot with limited cell service, so keep your booking details handy before you leave town. Pick your date, choose your pick-up point, and let the day take you to the one view you can’t reach any other way.
Guest Reviews
What Travelers Say
4.8/5
from 714 verified travelers
"Jake gave us a lot of information and even spotted a big Moose for us!"
"we seen moose. Our guide pulled over so we could watch and take great pictures. She was excellent."
"All of our tour guides were fabulous and very knowledgeable about the area. Jake on the tour bus, Mitch on the boat and Captain B!"
"Our guide, Logan, was AMAZING!! He provided a wealth of knowledge on the park, ecosystem, wildlife, and more in an easy-to-understand manner. If you get Logan as your guide, consider yourself lucky because he’s just as interested in the park and finding wildlife as you are! Really appreciated the flow of this tour. Best part was the drive to each spot keeping an eye out for the animals."
"Sydney & Grace were so much fun!! The boat cruise and scenery were great, but “Captain Grace” and Sydney elevated it so much with their cute, clever, funny commentary! Our group enjoyed the experience very much."
"The guide on the bus, Emily, provided a diversified, in-depth, captivating comment on the area, the places we stopped at. At the end of the day, we knew so much more about the geology of Jasper and surroundings, about the fauna, the forest and the fires of 2024, in both a precise and humorous manner. The guide on the boat , Elle, was excellent too! Had us laugh several times. A very enjoyable tour!"
"Emily as good driver, and informative and managed to find us an Elk on the way back. Ky and Jess on the boat were brilliant; good double act and made it a great day out. Bald Eagle sighting, and Moose in the Lake when we got back. Overall 3 BIG items off my Bucket List made it a day to remember. Thanks to all."
"We hit the jackpot with the sun on our back and Trevor as our guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about the region (geology, forestry, wildlife, history, fishing, hiking) in addition to being friendly, a great driver, and accommodating to the needs of the guests. We saw bighorn sheep, trout, bald eagle, and elk. The hiking group saw a moose. No bears this time around. The scenery was spectacular. The cruise to Spirit Island was lead by Alex and Kiera was the captain. They were a great team. Very informative and a smooth ride! All in all 5 stars!"
"Mekund was a fantastic guide - very knowledgeable and clearly loves sharing his knowledge. He was pleasant, funny and attentive to everyone’s need. We also took the boat ride which was wonderful. Maxwell, our guide, was knowledgeable about the lake and area. Our captain, Jordon, was superb. If we’re ever in the area we’ll do this again!"
Read all 714 verified reviews
See All ReviewsReady to Book Your Maligne Lake Cruise Tour?
Reserve the 6-hour guided tour from Jasper that includes the 90-minute Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island, with pick-up, a Medicine Lake stop and wildlife spotting along the Maligne Valley. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Starting from US$167 per person.
Check Availability & BookMaligne Lake Cruise — Frequently Asked Questions
What to know before you book the guided tour from Jasper that includes the cruise to Spirit Island.
The tour booked on this site is a 6-hour guided tour from Jasper. It includes a professional guide with live commentary, transport by air-conditioned minibus, scenic stops in the Maligne Valley including Medicine Lake and Maligne Lake, and a 90-minute Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included.
No. This site sells a guided day tour that includes the cruise, not a cruise-only ticket. The cruise boats are operated by Pursuit, which sells cruise-only tickets on its own website, banffjaspercollection.com. If you have a car and only want the boat, that is the ticket to buy; if you want transport, a guide and the Medicine Lake stop, book the tour.
Hotel pick-up is only for registered guests at the properties listed when you book. If your accommodation is not listed, choose the Two Brothers Totem Pole, across from the Jasper Park Information Centre (500 Connaught Dr), and arrive 15 minutes before departure. The tour drops you back at the end of the day.
The cruise itself is 90 minutes, out to Spirit Island and back, and it is the centrepiece of the 6-hour tour. Cruises land at a dock close to Spirit Island, where you follow a short path to a viewing platform for photos before reboarding for the return sailing.
No. Visitors view Spirit Island from a designated viewing platform across a small inlet and do not set foot on the island itself. The site is spiritually significant to the Stoney Nakoda (Îyârhe Nakoda) people and is protected, and keeping to the platform also preserves the fragile shoreline. Despite the name, it's actually a small peninsula tied to the shore by a narrow gravel bar that only submerges when the lake is high.
The Maligne Lake cruise runs only in the open-water season. Pursuit, which operates the boats, has published its 2027 season as 28 May to 10 October 2027; in 2026 the last sailing was on 11 October. There are no departures in winter, when the lake is frozen. Both tours on this site already have 2027 dates in their booking calendars: this one and the SunDog Transportation and Tours tour (as of October 2026).
Between seasons, yes. The 2026 season ended on 11 October 2026 and the cruise reopens on 28 May 2027. Maligne Lake and the Maligne Lake Road stay open in winter, but no boats run on the frozen lake. You can already book a 2027 date: the calendar on this page shows the dates the tour has released.
Not in any practical way. Spirit Island sits about 14 km down Maligne Lake from the dock, and the cruise is the usual way there. In winter the lake is frozen and no boats run, so the classic view is a summer one, from 28 May to 10 October in 2027.
Quite a lot. SunDog runs a guided icewalk in Pleckaitis Canyon from mid-December 2026 (15 or 18 December by source) to 31 March 2027 (Maligne Canyon itself is closed until further notice after the 2024 wildfire), and its winter wildlife tour picks up at Jasper hotels. On your own, you can snowshoe the Medicine Lake shoreline or walk the Mary Schäffer and Moose Lake loops at Maligne Lake. After dark, the Jasper Planetarium runs its Dark Sky Experience. See Jasper in winter for the details.
They do different jobs. Lake Minnewanka is just outside the town of Banff, and Pursuit's cruise there runs from 7 May to 11 October in 2027. The Maligne Lake cruise is about an hour's drive from Jasper and is the only practical way to the Spirit Island viewpoint, running from 28 May to 10 October 2027. If you are based in Jasper or Spirit Island is the reason for the trip, choose Maligne; if you are in Banff with a few hours, Minnewanka is the easy one.
Booking ahead is recommended, especially for July and August. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The tour needs a minimum number of guests; if it is cancelled for that reason, you are offered an alternative or a full refund.
The tour is listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments. It involves a small amount of walking, including the lakeshore stroll at Medicine Lake and the path to the Spirit Island viewpoint, so comfortable shoes are recommended.
Bring comfortable shoes, warm clothing, water and rain gear. The tour operates in all weather, and it is cool out on a glacier-fed lake even in summer. Meals are not included, so bring a packed lunch or money for food and drinks. Pets are not allowed, and children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Possibly, and wildlife spotting is a focus of this tour. The Maligne Valley is home to moose, elk, black bears and occasionally grizzly bears, and the guide watches for them along the road. Sightings are never guaranteed.
From US$167 per person on GetYourGuide when we checked in October 2026. Prices change with the date and season, so the booking calendar shows the current price for your day.
Still have questions? Email us at info@maligne-lake-cruise.com