Epic Lake Superior Adventures in Thunder Bay

Lake Superior is huge, deep, cold and vast—truly an inland sea, and truly one of the most beautiful lakes and shorelines around. 

The water is brilliantly clear and cold, the storms are epic and the rocky coasts and islands are endlessly scenic and fascinating. Somehow, it also feels like a well-kept secret, in part because it’s sparsely populated, especially on the Ontario side that stretches from Sault Ste. Marie to Thunder Bay, so it’s relatively easy to experience it without crowds. 

Here are some great ways to discover the world’s largest freshwater lake* through kayaking, sailing, fishing, scuba diving, and more, with the welcoming small city of Thunder Bay at the very top of the lake as your home base.

Kayak Tours in Thunder Bay: Paddle Lake Superior with Local Guides

A local company called Such a Nice Day (S.A.N.D.) is your go-to for guided kayak tours on Superior. They offer a range of kayaking expeditions, from couple hours at sunset in Thunder Bay’s harbour. to multi-day treks to various extra-scenic spots. They provide the gear and also offer a Lake Superior starter course to improve your paddling skills. Special day tours include ice paddling in late winter (March and April) and paint-and-paddle tours hosted by renowned local artist Vik Wilen. S.A.N.D. also has a 34-foot Montreal canoe, in the style historically used by voyageurs and Indigenous fur traders, which can be booked by groups and hosted by two guides.

Top Places to Kayak Near Thunder Bay with Your Own Gear

If you have your own kayak, there are a number of spots to check out near Thunder Bay, including Silver Islet at the far tip of Sibley Peninsula on the other side of Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (note that cinnamon buns at the Silver Islet General Store are a local favourite), Silver Harbour Conservation Area and Little Trout Bay Conservation Area. You can also rent kayaks, paddles and gear at local stores Wilderness Supply and Chaltrek.

Take a Guided Historical Canoe Tour With Parks Canada

Looking for a memorable group paddle without the need for prior experience? Silver & Stone: A Historical Canoe Tour will take you out in a replica voyageur canoe on the waters of Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area throughout the summer. Led by knowledgeable Parks Canada staff, these outings are safe, fun, and educational—and a fantastic way to connect with the land, water, and culture of Lake Superior’s wild northern coast. It's perfect for anyone looking to enjoy a relaxed and scenic paddle with a bit of history and storytelling mixed in. Read more about Parks Canada's guided activities on Lake Superior here.

Sailing Adventures on Lake Superior: Tours, Courses, and Race Nights

Prince Arthur’s Landing at Thunder Bay’s waterside Marina Park is a popular destination. In spring, summer, and fall, sailboats and cruisers docked against the backdrop of the Sleeping Giant make it especially appealing. It’s here that you can book a boat tour with Sail Superior. Choose from a wonderful assortment of public and private tours, including short harbour cruises, as well as wine-and-cheese outings, day trips to scenic spots, and multi-day sailing trips on the big lake. 

Sail Superior has three vessels: a catamaran, a monohull sailboat and a Zodiac. You can also book learn to sail and certification courses through Sail Superior, as well as Sail Thunder Bay. Summers bring sailing races on Wednesday and Thursday nights, which are fun to watch on shore, or if you head to the “Crew Bench” (it has a sign, near the Delta Chelsea Hotel) on Wednesday evenings you can see about joining a crew for the race, at the captain’s discretion.

Fishing Charters and Motor Boating Experiences on Lake Superior

If you prefer your boat with a motor, in addition to Sail Superior’s Zodiac tours, you can opt for Archie’s Fishing Charters and Lighthouse Tours. Based at the historic community of Silver Islet, your guide Archie Hoogsteen has been guiding on Superior for more than 35 years, and he’ll take you out on a 32-foot hardtop that’s enclosed and heated. Book him for fishing charters (salmon, lake trout and rainbow trout), group day tours, and charters from Silver Islet to Porphyry Island lighthouse. 

In the summer, staff and volunteers at Porphyry Island offer tours of the light and island, and you can book a stay at the 1940s-era lightkeeper’s house, plus there are walking trails, black sand beaches, and a chance to chat with the artist in residence. Experienced boaters and anglers who want to launch their own craft can head to one of the area’s six public launches at McKellar Island, Fishermen’s Park, Mountdale Avenue, Little Trout Bay Conservation Area and Silver Harbour Conservation Area, as well as Marina Park.

Scuba Diving in Thunder Bay: Explore Shipwrecks in Lake Superior

If you’ve got your wetsuit and your certification, you can scuba dive in Lake Superior, a truly unique dive experience because the cold water preserves submerged vessels and structures. One of the main access sites in Thunder Bay is at Silver Harbour Conservation Area, where you can slip beneath the cold, clear waters to explore the shipwrecks and natural rocks. Thunder Country Diving is a great source for dive boat charters, scuba shipwreck tours, gear rentals and more, as is By the Bay Adventures in Nipigon.

Where To Swim in Lake Superior: Beaches and Wellness Retreats

It’s possible to swim in Superior if you choose the right spot! Go for a beach that’s sheltered and shallower where the water is a little bit warmer. Wild Goose Beach (in Shuniah, to the east of Thunder Bay) and Sandy Beach at Chippewa Park are both public beach destinations for locals in the summer. The Art of Yoga is a small business and is a gorgeous option for a mindfulness retreat right on Superior that offers your choice of yoga, cold plunges in the lake and saunas all year round. To try SUP yoga (where you swim if you fall off your paddleboard!) on Lake Superior, keep an eye on the social media pages for Metsä Health & Wellness.

Important Safety Tips for Water Adventures on Lake Superior

One very important reminder: Superior can be unpredictable and wild (just think of the historic shipwrecks on Lake Superior!) so make sure you understand the weather and conditions, rely on expert information, and be prepared to reschedule if needed.

(*and yes, it’s Superior is the world’s largest lake by surface area—if you want the largest by volume you’ll have to head to Lake Baikal in Siberia).

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