Madeline Island · Lake Superior
A small fleet. One quiet bay. No counter to check in at.
Get on the Water— A simple way to get on the water
We started Madeline Adventures because we wanted kayaking to feel like kayaking again. Not waiting in line. Not signing clipboards. Just book a boat, walk to the rack, unlock, paddle.
01 — The Fleet
A small mixed fleet — touring kayaks for the long way home, sit-on-tops for easy floats, and inflatable SUPs for glassy mornings.
Kayaks · 4 boats
Rack 11
A sleek performance touring hull with a Greenland-style cockpit. Rockered for quick turning, capable in rough water, with a simple skeg.
Included Paddle + PFD in the storage box on the ground at your rack — same lock code.
Add to cart
One date & start time covers your whole cart, entered at checkout.
Rack 11
A versatile four-hatch cruiser. Excellent primary and secondary stability, roomy cockpit, ample gear storage — built for longer journeys along the coastline.
Included Paddle + PFD in the storage box on the ground at your rack — same lock code.
Add to cart
One date & start time covers your whole cart, entered at checkout.
Rack 12
Available June 15
A sit-on-top recreational kayak — open deck, self-bailing scuppers, no spray skirt needed. Easy to climb on, hard to flip, perfect for a casual hour in the shallows or your first time in a boat.
Included Paddle + PFD in the storage box on the ground at your rack — same lock code.
Add to cart
Bookings open now for paddles starting June 15. One date & start time covers your whole cart.
Rack 12
Available June 15
Giovanni's twin — same sit-on-top hull, same easy entry, same forgiving stability. Great for paddling alongside a friend, taking your kid out for their first time, or grabbing a quick hour after dinner.
Included Paddle + PFD in the storage box on the ground at your rack — same lock code.
Add to cart
Bookings open now for paddles starting June 15. One date & start time covers your whole cart.
Paddleboards · 2 boards
Rack 11U
Available June 15
A wide, stable inflatable stand-up paddleboard. Soft traction pad, beginner-friendly balance, easy to climb back on if you fall off. Great for a glassy morning float or seeing the bay from a higher vantage.
Included Paddle + PFD in the storage box on the ground at your rack — same lock code.
Add to cart
Bookings open now for paddles starting June 15. One date & start time covers your whole cart.
Rack 11U
Available June 15
Giuseppe's twin — same forgiving deck, same gentle stability. Bring a friend, try standing up for the first time, or chase a sunrise across the bay in tandem.
Included Paddle + PFD in the storage box on the ground at your rack — same lock code.
Add to cart
Bookings open now for paddles starting June 15. One date & start time covers your whole cart.
02 — How It Works
Pick a boat and a duration. Pay online in under a minute.
Check your inbox for a combination code. Walk to your rack at Big Bay — kayaks on 11 (touring) or 12 (sit-on-tops), SUPs under 11. The same code opens the storage box on the ground for your paddle and PFD.
Lock the rack back up when you're done. The lake is yours in between.
03 — Plan Your Visit
A self-service rental works best when you know where you're going and what to throw in the car.
Find us
Big Bay Town Park
La Pointe, WI 54850
Kayak racks 11 & 12, at the beach
Open in Google MapsFrom the La Pointe ferry landing, head east on Big Bay Road — about a 7-mile drive across the island (roughly 15 minutes by car, longer by bike). Free parking at the park trailhead.
When You Arrive
The boats live on shared racks at the edge of the woods — a short walk from the parking lot. Look for the small numbered tags. Touring kayaks (Luca, Leo) are on Rack 11; sit-on-tops (Giovanni, Gray) on Rack 12; paddleboards (Giuseppe, Joseph) stored under Rack 11.
Hours & Season
What to Bring
We provide the kayak, paddle, and PFD. Everything else is on you.
After You Book
Good to Know
04 — About
Madeline Adventures is a small, self-service kayak rental on the south shore of Lake Superior — based out of Big Bay Town Park on Madeline Island, Wisconsin.
Big Bay's protected curve is the easiest launch on the island — sandy bottom, gentle entry, usually calm in the morning. From there, hug the shoreline north toward the sandstone bluffs, paddle out toward Long Island, or just float in the shallows.
A small fleet. A combination lock. A code in your inbox. The lake does the rest.
A boat is a small permission to be elsewhere for a while.
05 — FAQ
Pick your kayak (Luca or Leo), choose a duration, and check out. You'll get a confirmation email with your combination lock code within a few minutes.
Big Bay Town Park, Madeline Island. Walk to the racks at the beach — the two touring Skerrays (Luca and Leo) share Rack 11, the two sit-on-top Pelicans (Giovanni and Gray) share Rack 12, and the two inflatable SUPs (Giuseppe and Joseph) are stored under Rack 11. The combination lock secures your specific boat; the same code opens the ground-level storage box with your paddle and PFD.
If you've never been on the water, start with the sit-on-tops (Giovanni or Gray) or the SUPs (Giuseppe or Joseph) — all four are very stable, very forgiving, and easy to climb back onto if you fall off. Stay close to shore, paddle in the morning when winds are usually lighter, and don't venture past the bay's protected curve. Luca and Leo (the Skerrays) are stable too, but they're sit-in touring boats — better for paddlers comfortable with the enclosed cockpit.
In the storage box on the ground beside the boats — one box at each rack location (Rack 11 for the Skerrays, Rack 12 for the Pelicans, under Rack 11 for the SUPs). The same combination code from your confirmation page opens the storage box, the lock, and the paddle. One code unlocks everything for your boat.
Wisconsin law requires a properly-fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD on board for every paddler. We provide one with each kayak, and we strongly recommend wearing it the entire time — Lake Superior is cold, even in July.
If conditions are unsafe (small craft advisory, thunderstorms, sustained winds over ~15 mph), don't go out. Call, text, or email us and we'll reschedule or refund. Check the marine forecast for Madeline Island before you head down to the beach.
Yes. Reach out at least 24 hours before your booking for a full refund or reschedule. Same-day cancellations due to weather are always honored — just call, text, or email.
A little late is fine — we get it, the lake is hard to leave. If you're significantly over your booked time and another paddler is waiting, we'd appreciate a quick heads-up.
All six boats are single-paddler. A small child can sit in front of a parent on Giovanni or Gray (the sit-on-tops) for short, close-to-shore paddles — the open deck makes this easier than on the Skerrays. SUPs can carry a small child sitting on the deck if a confident adult is steering. PFDs are required for everyone regardless of age. A small, calm dog can ride along on a sit-on-top or a SUP at your own risk — please dry the boat afterward.
06 — Get in Touch
For day-of issues — lost lock codes, last-minute weather calls — call or text 857-242-1806. For everything else, the form on the right reaches our inbox within the hour during the season.