Kayaking in Algoma Country

Algoma Country occupies the middle part of Northern Ontario. Snug against the Michigan border, it's easily accessible by car or plane. And it's an amazing spot for kayaking. Full of lakes, rivers, and bays, Algoma is a kayaker’s paradise. Below, we'll introduce you to some of the best options in Algoma's Eastern and Northern regions. Pack a lunch and picnic on the shoreline, or pull up to one of the many delicious restaurants in your chosen area.

Algoma East

The city of Sault Ste. Marie is nestled in the Hub of the Great Lakes. Bellevue Park is a perfect place to put in your kayak. Along the waterfront of the park is Top Sail Island along the St. Marys River, a great place to put your kayak in. St. Marys eventually brings you to Lake Huron if you venture left. There, you'll enjoy little inlets with wetland wildlife, as well as some of the city’s most beautiful homes along the waterfront. You will eventually arrive in front of the Sault Ste. Marie Country Club. If you venture right, you will be heading towards the city centre of Sault Ste. Marie towards the Sault Locks, the entry point to Lake Superior. Whitewater kayakers have been spotted in the rapids just beyond Whitefish Island at the Sault Locks.

One area we spend a great deal of time kayaking is East of the Sault on St. Joseph Island. St. Joseph Island is situated about 45 minutes (65 km) East of Sault Ste. Marie (view driving map).

We even bring along our Shih Tzu, Buddy, who loves to go kayaking. The main inland lake you can kayak is Twin Lakes. There is a public park beside Busy Beaver Camp Ground where you can put your kayak in. On this lake, you will find terns, loons, eagles, muskrats, beavers, and deer. 

The outer shores of the island have pristine areas to kayak. You could put your kayak in the water at Richard’s Landing Park, Hilton Beach Forbes Park, Gawas Bay, Whiskey Bay, Sailor’s Encampment, Beach Beach, and Jocelyn Park. You will find all different species of ducks, shorebirds, beaver, mink, muskrats, otters, turtles, and deer. To find a place to launch for the day, see this map. A favourite stop to eat is Tilt’n Hilton.

Off the island, Desbarats is another favourite place to put your kayak in. On Highway 17 E. across from Pontoon and Powersports is a boat launch. This river takes you out to Lake Huron where you will find beautiful rock islands, marshes, and rocky shorelines. This area is a migratory pathway in the spring and fall for many bird species. Fishing is also quite good out the end of the river that spills into Lake Huron. 

Further east of the Sault, you could put your kayak in at the Bruce Mines Marina. You won’t go hungry if you stop for a bite to eat at Bobber’s Restaurant.

The Thessalon Marina is a beautiful paddle and dine at the Carolyn Beach Inn and Restaurant. Further East is Blind River and they have an Algoma Paddlers Club.

Algoma North

North of Sault Ste. Marie is Lake Superior, and the paddling is endless in Lake Superior Provincial Park, as well as many other small lakes and rivers along the way, which are far too many to list.  A great place to eat along Highway 17 North in Batchawana Bay is The Voyageurs’ Lodge.

More Kayak Resources In Algoma

• Forest the Canoe has full-day kayak rentals in Goulais River.
• Kayaking lessons are available at Naturally Superior Adventures.
• Great Lakes Outfitters has a great selection of kayaks for purchase.
• To find other areas to kayak around Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma, check out Ontario Trails.

Kayaking: What's It All About?

Kayaking has become a very popular outdoor sport for many of all ages. What is the allure? For one, you are in control of what you do and where you are. Kayaking also brings the same benefits of good meditation for one's mental health. It is a great stress reliever, a low-impact exercise with a high-impact benefit.

The word kayak originated from the Greenlandic word qujaq. Here in Canada, the first people to use the kayak were the Inuit, who used the kayaks to hunt the inland rivers, lakes, and bays. They used a double-bladed paddle to maneuver and move.

Kayaks come in many shapes and sizes. You can spend very little or a great amount of money. The best type of kayak all depends on whether you want to be mostly on lakes, or mostly rivers. If you are into fast-moving rivers, you would want to purchase a White Water Kayak. Recreation and Touring Kayaks are for flat-water areas such as lakes, slow rivers, and bays. If you want the big water such as Lake Superior and Lake Huron, you might consider a sea kayak. Click here for more information on how to choose a kayak.

Kayaking enables you to get some exercise, and fresh air, and to spend quality time in the outdoors. So get out and enjoy, but don’t forget your life jacket, and let others know where you are going.

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