Apostle Islands Kayaks

Ed is the best around. He does an excellent job, from initial contact to his instructional for every outing to his kayaks and equipment to how he relates to people, including children. Ed helped two young adults with us to have a great experience! Highly recommend!

My family and I just returned from our vacation on Madeline Island.
We didn’t have many expectations, because that is what usually sets you up for dissapoinment! Instead, we decided to «wing» it for the first time ever and planned a last minute trip to Madeline… and «wing it,» is exactly what we did.
We went by Apostle Island Kayaking on the way to our hotel. We rang the doorbell, but there was no answer, however, we lucked out that mere minutes within ringing the bell and checking their website we realized that they were put picking up afternoon kayakers. We started to head over to the wonderful little beach park across the street, but noticed a truck pulling in the drive. We were quickly greeted by Ed, the owner. We quickly found him a soft spoken man, with many stories to tell and full of information on what we should expect when kayaking with a family of 5.
Ed was transparent with local weather situations and explained in length of how one side of the island (where his home/​kayak shop is located) can have entirely different conditions on the other side of the island where they put the kayaks in. (If you are not kayakers, please know that the best conditions that are favorable for Big Bay are west winds (Not to be confused with the downtown location where you meet and book). He was quick to check his online reservations first before allowing us to book a guided tour.
There was not availability for the next day, but he quickly scheduled us for the following. Within minutes, we were all set and felt like we had known Ed for ages. The next day, (the day before our trip) our two teens walked over to say hello and Ed allowed them to use two above water kayaks in the bay at no charge (after I signed off on it, of course). It was prefer because it gave them the confidence they needed for the next day with the longer tour.
Our tour guide the next day (Kelsey) was fantastic. I’m pretty sure he had the patience of a saint. We were new to the kayaking, hence there were many awkward and ignorant questions that he handled like the pro he is… and even with a smidge of good humor along the way (ie. The pizza box example during his demo of how to hold your paddle).
Conditions were good enough to make it out tl the sea cavea that day, but the conditions with 3 kids (the kids quickly faded in the first half) were not favorable to continue to the lagoons. We will absolutely be back, looking forward to another tour next year (or sooner if my husband and I can sneak away later in the summer!)
Thank you, Ed and Kelsey for making us feel like family on Madeline!

Had an amazing time with our guide Kelsy (spelling), the other group we went out with left at the halfway point but our guide still made sure we had the full experience. The entire operation had a really laid back attitude that might rub some the wrong way but being on vacation I really loved it.

Rip-​off!!!
Owner is too lazy to lock up his kayaks and passes the blame on to his customers!!! Terrible business practice! Though it was a reputable business… NOT!!!

Apostle Island Kayaks is on Madeline Island, and easy to reach by ferry from Bayfield. The ower, Ed, is like a character out of Masterpiece Theater. He’s quite zany and likes to entertain. I get the sense that he’s quite the fixture on the island. Seems to greet and joke with just about everybody.
He owns a lot of kayaks and sells kayaks and gear, too. Its all in a bit of a jumble in a garage. Ed is actually an original Freedom Rider who was on Oprah recently… So damn just be happy to be in his presence and screw corporate perfection. Ed, I love your messy garage.