BAYFIELD KAYAK FIELD GUIDE
Paddle to Basswood Island: A full‑day tandem sea‑kayak across Lake Superior to a shipwreck, brownstone quarry and sandy beach lunch
A guided, six‑hour tandem sea‑kayak outing from Trek & Trail that crosses the west channel to Basswood Island and combines open‑water paddling, a historic shipwreck and quarry hike with a gourmet beach lunch.
Paddle to Basswood Island: A full‑day tandem sea‑kayak across Lake Superior to a shipwreck, brownstone quarry and sandy beach lunch.
From Bayfield you launch directly from Trek & Trail and cross the open west channel to Basswood Island — one of the 21 Apostle Islands — on a six‑hour, guided sea‑kayak journey that pairs exposed water travel with shoreline exploration, a visit to a historic shipwreck and a hike to a centuries‑old brownstone quarry, finishing with swimming and lunch on a sand beach.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Open‑water crossing and shoreline paddling
The day includes crossing Lake Superior’s west channel in tandem sea kayaks and roughly two hours on the water exploring the shoreline north of Bayfield before arriving at Basswood Island for lunch.
Shipwrecks and brownstone quarry
On Basswood you’ll visit the Fedora shipwreck and hike to a historic brownstone quarry that offers a tangible glimpse into the island’s quarrying past.
Beach lunch and a chance to swim
A gourmet spread awaits on a sandy beach — sandwiches, crostini and dip, fresh fruit, cookies and lemonade — and there is time built into the day to swim and relax before the return paddle.
What the day feels like
How the day feels
The trip opens with a short check‑in and a roughly 30‑minute paddling tutorial on the beach, then moves into open water as you cross the west channel to Basswood Island; you break for a beachside gourmet lunch, explore the island on foot to the brownstone quarry and the Fedora wreck, then make a guided return to Bayfield with the goal of being back at Trek & Trail by mid‑afternoon.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this trip suits — and who should take extra care.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Pack a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, thin quick‑drying layers for under a wetsuit (swimsuit, shorts, leggings, t‑shirt), a windbreaker or rain jacket for cool or windy days, and footwear that can get wet and handle light hiking (sandals or old tennis shoes).
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Are wetsuits required?
Wetsuit use is mandated by permit when air and water temperatures are below a specified threshold; on hot summer days wetsuits may be optional and guides decide day‑to‑day using real‑time water temperature data.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are not permitted in the tandem kayak tours because of safety and permitting constraints; Trek & Trail can provide local doggy daycare contacts on request.
Can I rent a kayak and go unguided instead?
Generally no; renters must pass a three‑hour safety course to rent kayaks unguided. Guides run the decision‑making for safety on Lake Superior and rentals require prior instruction and approval.
Do you have single kayaks?
No. The operator uses tandem kayaks exclusively for tours for stability and safety.
What happens if I book as a solo traveler?
Solo guests will be paired with another odd‑numbered guest or with a guide depending on group composition; the trips have a minimum of two participants to run, so single‑participant bookings may not be available at certain times.