Spirit Island Boat Tours & Tickets

The Spirit Island boat tour is a fully narrated 90-minute round-trip cruise on Maligne Lake — the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies — departing from the Maligne Lake Boathouse in Jasper National Park. The boat travels 14 km south across turquoise glacial waters to Spirit Island, where passengers disembark for a short nature walk to the iconic viewpoint, then return by the same route.

Spirit Island boat tickets start from 85 CAD per adult for the Classic Cruise (excluding GST); dynamic pricing applies so rates may be higher during peak summer months. Children under 5 travel free. Book directly at banffjaspercollection.com or call +1-866-606-6700 for the most current pricing.

The Maligne Lake Boathouse operates daily from 09:00 to 18:00, seven days a week, including weekends and public holidays during the operating season (typically mid-May through mid-October). Confirm your specific departure date on the official site before travelling.

The best arrival window is 09:00–10:30, which offers calmer lake surface conditions, softer morning light on the Queen Elizabeth Ranges, and notably fewer crowds at the Spirit Island viewpoint. Always arrive at the boathouse at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure to check in.

Yes — the operation maintains 2 dedicated accessible boats designed for standard wheelchair users, but these must be reserved in advance. Contact central reservations at +1-888-900-6272 when booking to ensure an accessible vessel is assigned to your departure.

Pets are not permitted on any of the Maligne Lake cruise boats. Leashed pets are welcome on the trails and shoreline around the boathouse and picnic areas, so they are not left completely without options at the lake.

The Spirit Island boat tour is family-friendly and children under 5 travel free. Strollers cannot be brought on board for safety reasons but can be left secured at the boat dock. Guides provide commentary on wildlife and Indigenous cultural history that engages children of all ages.

Dress in warm, moisture-wicking layers with a waterproof outer shell — temperatures on the water are typically 5–10°C cooler than Jasper town due to the elevation of 1,692 m and lake-surface winds. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for the short trail walk on Spirit Island.

Photography is fully encouraged throughout the Maligne Lake cruise to Spirit Island. Guides pause at key scenic points including Samson Narrows and the Hall of the Gods to allow clear shots. Drone use requires both a Transport Canada permit and Parks Canada authorization; unauthorized drone flights are prohibited within Jasper National Park.

Cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure for a full refund on Spirit Island boat tickets. Cancellations or changes made within the 24-hour window are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled; cut-off times are calculated in local Jasper Mountain Time.

Drive Highway 16 east from Jasper town, then turn south onto Maligne Lake Road; the Maligne Lake Boathouse is at the end of the road, approximately 48 km (45–50 min) from the townsite. Three free parking lots are available at the lake. There is no scheduled public transit; taxis or guided tour shuttles from Jasper hotels are the alternative.

Maligne Canyon (a 55-metre-deep gorge 30 min north), Medicine Lake viewpoint (on the way to the boathouse), Athabasca Falls (50 min drive), and the Jasper SkyTram (55 min drive) all pair well with a Spirit Island boat tour for a full day in the park.