The Experience

The Maligne Lake Cruise has been providing visitors with the opportunity to discover the world-famous Spirit Island for over 60 years through interpretive boat cruises in Jasper National Park. Visitors can explore the lake from the comfort of glass-enclosed and heated cruise boats while a knowledgeable guide retells Maligne’s history and explains its geology, wildlife, weather, flora and fauna.

Maligne Lake offers some of the most interesting and spectacular scenery found anywhere in the world. Iconically known for its beauty, Spirit Island is arguably one of the most photographed places in the Canadian Rockies. To meet the wants and needs of avid and amateur photographers alike, the Through the Lens Tour provides guests with the advice of a local, professional photographer. Additional time is given onshore at the far end of the lake to set up and photograph this incredible island.

Spirit Island, named by the Stoney Nation indigenous people for the experiences their ancestors had at this place centuries ago, Spirit Island is a tiny grove of trees and pristine nature separated from the mainland by an isthmus. Spirit Island becomes a true island for a few short days during the summer.

The true attraction of Spirit Island is the backdrop: a ring of impressive peaks and glaciers circling the south end of Maligne Lake, and the deep turquoise water color not present at the North end of the lake. A short path forms a loop from the docks to viewing points overlooking Spirit Island. To preserve the area in its natural state, walking onto the island is not permitted.

Cruise Options

CLASSIC CRUISE

Sail 14 kilometres along Maligne Lake, past towering peaks & glaciers, to the peaceful and remarkable Spirit Island. Sit back, relax and enjoy vibrant stories from the onboard tour guide, including the history of the lake and its earliest explorers, along with the geology, glaciology, flora & fauna of the area.

Upon arrival at Spirit Island, the boat docks and guests are able to disembark and enjoy a short nature trail leading to a viewing platform for that bucket list photo overlooking Spirit Island.

Features:

1.5 hours
Guided cruise to Spirit Island
Free time at Spirit Island
Return cruise to Home Bay

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PREMIUM CRUISE

Back for 2018, our 2-hour Premium Cruise! Enjoy all the same inclusions of our Classic Cruise while enjoying special features only available on our Premium Cruise.

With our Premium Cruise, upon arrival at Spirit Island, guests are personally welcomed by our “Island Host,” who will introduce the area and offer a private interpretive walk for any guests who desire.

Features:

2 hours
Guided cruise to Spirit Island
1-2 stops on the lake
Free time at Spirit Island
Personally met by Island Host
Private interpretive walk
Return cruise to Home Bay

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THROUGH THE LENS

Enjoy a special Through The Lens tour organized around the needs and wants of new, ambitious and adventurous photographers. Allow our onboard local, and professional photographer to assist you in taking home some famous and extraordinary shots of your own. Plenty of time is given at Spirit Island to set up and capture your photos. This tour is available Sundays & Tuesdays at 5:45 PM (Jun 30 - Sep 3) and 4:15 PM (Sep 4 - 23).

Features:

2 hours
Extended guided cruise to Spirit Island
2-3 stops on the lake
Extended stop at Spirit Island
Private interpretive walk by photographer guide
Free time at the island
Return cruise to Home Bay

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HIGH SPIRITS CRUISE

Join us on delightful and delectable cruise to Maligne Lake’s iconic Spirit Island. This new and exclusive cruise features fine spirits, canapés and sweets, while taking in some of the most awe-inspiring views in the Rockies. Seats are limited, tour available Saturdays at 5:45 PM (June 30 - Sep 1). Learn More

Features:

2 hours
New and exclusive cruise with on-board server
Late departure for best light
Beer & wine service
Maligne Lake signature cocktail
Savoury canapés and decadent sweets
Intimate free time at Spirit island
Return cruise to Home Bay

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Make your visit even more memorable

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Maligne Lake Guided Fishing

Maligne Lake Guided Fishing

The best guided fishing experience in Jasper National Park.

It’s hard to imagine a better day of trout fishing than the one you will experience at Maligne Lake. Stocked with rainbow trout and eastern brook trout, the lake offers fishing that is both challenging and rewarding.

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Maligne Lake Boat Rentals

Maligne Lake Boat Rentals

While you’re here explore the lake at your own pace

Discover the serenity of Maligne Lake and take in the breathtaking views that surround you from this unique perspective. Canoes, Kayaks and Rowboats are all available for rent from the historic boathouse.

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Roam free and enjoy the trails

Roam free and enjoy the trails

Maligne Lake is an exceptional area for hiking.

With trails that vary from peaceful, short walks in the woods to steep, steady uphill grinds, the one thing they all have in common is amazing scenery. So explore your way and when you’re ready for a break, join us at the lake. Great dining options let you relax, refuel and get back to the trails or the water for a closer look at this inspiring place.

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History of Maligne Lake

The National Historic Sites and Monuments Board (NHSMB) has now added the Maligne Lake Chalet and Guest House to the illustrious, though short, list of National Historic Sites in Jasper National Park. The recent determination by the NHSMB that the Maligne Lake buildings are of national significance rests in the prominent role played by these log structures in the national parks of Canada and too, are illustrative of the central role of outfitters, guides and the competing interests of the railways in park development.

These rustic buildings were originally constructed by Jasper’s premier Guide and Outfitter, Fred Brewster and the Canadian National Railway in 1927. When these two buildings were first constructed they were surrounded by tents and hard-roofed guest cabins. This backcountry lodge rivalled the Jasper Park Lodge as the largest and most luxurious park accommodation. The architectural form of the lodge as well as its function are classic examples of the golden era of National Parks.

In 2011, the 43 year dereliction of these buildings ended with a million dollar rehabilitation that carefully restored the structures to their former glory. Once again accessible to the public, the site showcases National Park culture.

Maligne Lake Chalet site may be booked for weddings or special events.

Environmental Stewardship

Aquatic Protection
Maligne Lake has taken steps to prevent and minimize the potential adverse effects of accidental spills of fuel and other hazardous materials in and around the lake.

Enviro-tanks have been installed for fuel for cruise boats, at the diesel-powered generating station, and in the maintenance compound for bilge water and crankcase oil. These tanks are pumped out annually by a licensed recycling service. The fuel line from the boat fuel tank to the docks is a triple-containment line. The docks are equipped with floating, fuel-absorbing containment booms ready to be deployed immediately in the event of a spill. The docking piers at Spirit Island have been replaced. Tour boats and the generating station have been equipped with fuel spill kits.

In 2004, Maligne Lake replaced the aging and inadequate toilet facilities at the Spirit Island viewing area with a leading-edge solar-powered sewage treatment system that provides advanced secondary treatment. The facility comprises a small, water-tight, fiberglass septic tank filled with an engineered textile material in which anaerobic bacteria breaks down the sewage.

The system is low maintenance, consumes very little energy, produces no activated sludge, and does not require a septic field. Wastewater from the visitor facilities at the north end of Maligne Lake is directed to an existing sewage lagoon, the existing capacity of which exceeds the current and forecast future demand.

There is no discharge of sewage to the environment from either the Spirit Island or Maligne Lake day lodge sewage facilities.

Wildlife Protection
All on-site food and waste collection and storage facilities comply with applicable Parks Canada's regulations. The existing facilities at Maligne Lake provide animal-proof waste receptacles and blue boxes for collection of recyclables, including cardboard, tin, glass, and plastic. In addition, Maligne Lake staff collect litter around the parking lots and along park trails. Buckets for cigarette butt collection are available throughout the site.

Pursuit respects the Environmentally Sensitive Site exclusion area established by Parks Canada around the Maligne Lake outlet for the protection of Harlequin Duck habitat. Pursuit also provides interpretive content for visitors to encourage safe and responsible use and enjoyment of the wilderness, including an emphasis on respect for wildlife.

Lands Protection
Maligne Lake has been re-introducing native grasses in previously impacted areas; this will help to restore ecosystem integrity and improve the quality of wildlife habitat in the area. Brewster will continue to regularly maintain existing trail facilities in the area.

Solar-powered Sewage Treatment
In 2004, leading edge solar-powered technology replaced the manner in which sewage at Spirit Island had been handled for the past 80 years.

At fourteen miles in length Maligne Lake is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies. The pristine Spirit Island is located approximately two thirds of the way down Maligne Lake, accessible only by boat. Any sewage treatment assembly would therefore have to be low maintenance, low energy consumption, light-weight and sturdy while preferably generating no activated sludge and meeting extraordinarily high environmental standards whilst performing without a sewage field.

The solution? Leading edge solar-powered technology whereby sewage receives advanced secondary treatment in a water-tight, very small, fiberglass basin filled with an engineered textile material where anaerobic bacteria breaks down sewage.

A 1,500 gallon fiberglass septic tank was towed to the site aboard two canoes lashed together to create a barge. Half a million pounds of concrete was transported by boat and then poured by hand to create the foundation. Rocks and gravel were hauled to construct the wheelchair ramp; lumber, shingles, doors, windows, water tanks, pressure tanks, pumps, solar panels and a ton of batteries all were moved to the site without the assistance of a single power tool, barring a boat.

It was an exhausting, labour-intensive effort but now there sits on the shore near Spirit Island a showcase of environmental sustainability and a far more pleasant visitor experience.