Twenty-one islands with breathtaking beaches along Lake Superior, stunning historical lighthouses, sandstone formations and sea caves – the natural wonders of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore continue to draw visitors from all over the world.
![Highlights of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: View of Bayfield cruise dock](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image001.webp)
Serving the public within the national lakeshore as an authorized park concessioner, Apostle Islands Cruises operates out of Bayfield, Wisconsin, and provides narrated sightseeing cruises, hiking and camping shuttles, and guided lighthouse tours.
The most popular is the Grand Tour which takes passengers on a narrated, informative 2 ½ to 3-hour scenic excursion to see the Raspberry Island and Devils Island lighthouses, gorgeous sea caves, marine wildlife, and much more.
These top 7 highlights are what make the Apostle Islands Cruises tour so “Grand”:1. Up-close Views of the Beautiful Islands
![Highlight Number 1 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: Up-close views of the shoreline of the Apostle Islands](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Up-Close-Views-of-Apostle-Islands-on-a-Grand-Tour-1.webp)
The national lakeshore encompasses a 12-mile stretch of mainland and 21 of the archipelago’s gorgeous 22 islands. On a Grand Tour, you’ll get up-close and personal with several of the islands. You’ll coast next to the islands’ dramatic sea caves and colorfully stratified cliffs.
2. Raspberry Lighthouse
![Highlight Number 2 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: Raspberry Lighthouse](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/raspberry.webp)
Considered the “showplace of the Apostle Islands,” the Raspberry Island Lighthouse was first built in 1862 and was rebuilt in the early 1900s to make room for the lightkeepers and their families. It is the most readily accessible of the Apostle Island stations. Its beautiful facade makes it a symbol of the national lakeshore.
![A National Park ranger taking a group photo of visitors from atop the Raspberry Island Lighthouse](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Visitors-taking-a-photo-from-atop-the-Raspberry-Island-Lighthouse.webp)
During the summer season, Apostle Islands Cruises run Raspberry Island Lighthouse Tours that bring guests to the island, while rangers conduct tours of the historic tower. Close to the mainland, the island is a popular destination for skilled sea kayakers and private boaters.
3. Devils Island Lighthouse
![Highlight Number 3 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: Devils Island Lighthouse view from Apostle Islands Cruises](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Apostle-Islands-Cruise-in-front-of-Devils-Island-Lighthouse.webp)
First lit in 1891, the Devils Island Lighthouse eventually became the last manned station in the Apostle Islands. The lighthouse was automated in 1978, marking the end of over a century of lightkeepers tending lights in the Apostle Islands. You’ll want to make sure you brought your camera for this one.
![Highlight Number 3 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: Panoramic scenes from Devils Island Lighthouse](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image005-3-1024x576.jpg)
4. Spectacular Sea Caves
![Highlight Number 4 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: View from inside one of the Apostle Island sea caves](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Sea-Caves-of-Devils-Island-as-seen-from-inside.webp)
While the “Apostles” have countless lighthouses scattered along the lakeshore, people most commonly visit the area to explore the famous sea caves. For billions of years, lake waves and erosion have carved out fascinating arches, caves, and caverns into the reddish-brown sandstone in the cliffs on the north shore of Devils Island and along the mainland near the lakeshore’s western boundary.
5. The Wildlife that Inhabits the Apostles
![Highlight Number 5 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: View of bald eagle on one of the Apostle Islands](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/A-bald-eagle-in-Apostle-Islands-National-Lakeshore.webp)
Island environments provide a safe environment for numerous bird species, mammals, amphibians, and aquatic species — as well as plants. While whitetail deer have been known to swim between the mainland and the Apostles, bald eagles are also commonly seen aboard a Grand Tour.
![Highlight Number 5 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: Whitetail deer resting on rocky shore of the Apostle Islands](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Apostle-Islands-Highlight-Wildlife-in-the-form-of-a-deer-1.webp)
6. Discover the History
![Highlight Number 6 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: Historic photo of a lighthouse keeper and his family](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image009.png)
The Apostles hold countless tales of those who’ve called it home and were shaped by living in the rural archipelago over the years. Your captain on a Grand Tour will share stories that have been passed down for generations.
![Highlight Number 6 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: The Raspberry Lighthouse in the 1800s. PC: National Park Service.](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image010.png)
7. Scarlet & Sapphire Cliffs
![Highlight Number 7 of an Apostle Islands Cruises' Grand Tour: Red sandstone rock on the shoreline showing scarlet hues from iron](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/image011-2-1024x834.jpg)
The national lakeshore is shaped from a porous red sandstone rock. Its scarlet hue from iron, the most prominent mineral. However, there are also swaths of blue due to the presence of iron. Especially while wet, these colors are incredible and vibrant, combining for a spectacular sight.
Bonus: Awe-Inspiring Lake Superior
![Lake Superior churning behind a boat, with the Apostle Islands in the distance and the sun directly overhead](https://www.apostleisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Behind-the-Boat-Lake-Superior.webp)
Of course, it goes without saying that Lake Superior is breathtakingly magnificent. It never ceases to amaze, from the turquoise tranquility of a serene summer day to the churning dark blues of fall. Enjoying a leisurely boat ride on the majestic lake is a must for your bucket list.