These ice paddling tours on Lake Superior have rare wintery sights

Early spring presents a rare opportunity to see Lake Superior in a super cool way. Each year, there is a small window in March and April where the ice starts to break up, turning the waters into a spectacle of wintery sights. S.A.N.D, or Such A Nice Day, does guided ice paddling tours and if you want to partake in this truly magic experience, you’ll need to make sure you secure your spot.

Getting there

If you’re driving in from Toronto or the GTA, you’ll have a bit of a journey ahead of you. The meeting area for the ice paddling tours is out of Cloud Bay, about 35 to 40 minutes by car from Thunder Bay.

What to know about ice paddling

The S.A.N.D ice paddling excursion is three hours long and can be booked in groups of up to 10 people, costing $175 per person.

If you have your own kayak and don’t require one provided by S.A.N.D, the cost goes down to $135. “Both double and single sit-in sea kayaks will be available. Double kayaks are highly recommended for those with less experience,” says the organization.

To best prepare, you’ll need to know what is provided versus what you will need to bring along with you. S.A.N.D provides a sea kayak, spray skirt, paddle, PFD, kayak safety equipment, immersion gear (top-of-the-line drysuits), neoprene gloves/pogies, small dry bags for personal items, first aid/repair kit, and emergency extra warm clothes.

As for what you need to bring, here’s what S.A.N.D advises:

• Lunch and snacks
• Water bottle(s) 2-3L capacity
• Appropriate base and thermal layers top and bottom – non-cotton (wool/polyester) for under drysuit (see below for a video on gear prep)
• Paddle clothing and footwear (neoprene booties are best but old runners with wool/neoprene socks will work. We have some if you don’t have)
• Warm change of clothes and rain gear top/bottom
• Warm hat and buff/neck gator
• Warm set of gloves
• Sunglasses
• Waterproof sunscreen
• A camera

The window to book your ice paddling tour for 2025 is from March 11 to April 20, with each session starting at 11 a.m.

Sessions are weather-dependent, so if there is bad weather on the day of your scheduled tour, you will be contacted by S.A.N.D.

Are you up for the challenge, Ontario?

Ice padding

When: March 11 to April 20, 2025, sessions at 11 a.m.
Where: Cloud Bay launch, Ontario
Cost: $135-$175 per person