Maligne Lake Cruise to Spirit Island: Is It Worth It?
A beautiful change from hiking and an easy way to see scenery that is difficult to reach otherwise.
Why we chose it
Jasper was still recovering from the devastating 2024 wildfire when we visited. Some major areas were still closed, and after a lot of hiking we wanted a completely different way to experience the scenery.
The boat cruise to Spirit Island was exactly that.
The ride is part of the experience
We took the Classic Maligne Lake Cruise. The boat ride itself was beautiful and informative. Our guide explained the mountains, glaciers and landscape around us, which gave the experience much more context.
You travel far down Maligne Lake into scenery that is difficult for most visitors to reach otherwise. The glacier and mountain views were a major part of what made the cruise worthwhile.
Spirit Island
The boat docks near Spirit Island and you get off for a short walk to the viewpoints. It was an easy, pretty stop and a great place to take in the scenery.
Do you need to book ahead?
We did not. We walked up to the ticket counter and got on a cruise leaving about 15 minutes later.
I would not count on that, though. From what we heard, the cruises were much more likely to sell out before the 2024 fire, and visitation was building again. If the cruise matters to your plans, reserve it. But if you arrive without a booking, absolutely ask about same-day availability.
Our Verdict
Scenery: Excellent
Best for: A recovery day or lower-effort Jasper activity
Best part: Seeing the remote end of Maligne Lake and glacier views
Worth it? Yes