Explore Isle Royale by Sail
Hidden in the northwestern waters of Lake Superior lies a remote and extraordinary destination: Isle Royale National Park. This isolated island chain encompasses 132,000+ acres of federally protected wilderness—one large island surrounded by more than 450 smaller ones—all nestled within the world’s largest freshwater lake.
Set sail on an unforgettable expedition, where miles of pristine wilderness, a sturdy sailboat, and a seasoned captain come together to offer a truly immersive experience.
What You’ll Experience
Whether you’re eager to dive into every aspect of sailing or simply enjoy the journey, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in:
Sail handling
Coastal and celestial navigation
Anchoring and steering
Liveaboard seamanship
Engine troubleshooting and maintenance
This voyage also includes daily learning opportunities through visits with scientists and historians on Isle Royale—including the renowned Rolf Peterson, lead researcher of the legendary wolf-moose studies. You’ll also make your own ecological observations as you sail through Lake Superior’s evolving climate.
Sailing & Exploration
Sail Across Borders—Explore Remote Wilderness
Set off on a one-of-a-kind adventure that blends the rugged beauty of Isle Royale with the dramatic cliffs and secluded coves of Canada’s North Shore, including an unforgettable night anchored beneath the towering Sleeping Giant Provincial Park.
Our route begins with several days exploring the wild, northern edge of Isle Royale before crossing to the Canadian side north of Thunder Bay. From there, we’ll sail back along the remote and stunningly beautiful Canadian coastline, anchoring in protected coves and experiencing the raw beauty of Lake Superior’s north shore.
2025 Dates & Pricing
June 5–14, 2025 – Isle Royale Expedition
Status: This trip is full
📅 Dates: June 5–14, 2025
💰 Cost: $1,700 per person
To register, please contact North House Folk School directly.
Private Charter Option:
Prefer a custom adventure? Private groups of up to 5 can charter this trip on dates of your choice for $650 per day.
Stories from the Sea
Real adventures, real smiles — hear from those who made waves with us.
Steffanie GerkinTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had an amazing time on this stunning sailboat, will definitely be back to do this again! john hallTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had a fantastic time sailing with Captain Matt in Lake Michigan from the shore of Milwaukee, WI. Recommended! Sean RyanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a fantastic sunset cruise with Captain Matt. He was ready to go and we started on time and went a little bit long. Matt made sure we were safe, made the best of light wind and was engaging the entire time. I highly recommend! J Andrew GearyTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent! I booked a sunset sailing trip with my family for our Milwaukee vacation. The communication setting up the trip was clear and the captain was responsive. The directions on where to go and what to prepare for were clear and very useful. We had an amazing time on the sailing trip! It was a beautiful night and the crew was great. The captain and his crewmate treated us very well and were a lot of fun to chat with during the voyage. I would not hesitate to recommend or even book another trip with Sea Dog Sailing. Thank you for a wonderful experience! Rachel MacGregorTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was the BEST experience, I could not recommend it enough! I came to visit my sister in Milwaukee after she moved here and decided to try this because it sounded fun but it was by far our favorite thing from my entire visit (and I work in the travel industry so I am great at finding lots of fun things to do). Captain Bob was fantastic, so knowledgable about sailing and the lake and city, plus we got to try steering some which was really cool! Joseph FasiTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Magical and fun. Captain Bob was the best host and made the day spectacular. I have lived in Milwaukee for many years and have never savored the view of the skyline as we did from 5 miles out in Lake Michigan on a beautiful sunny day. He answered my incessant questions with patience and knowledge. I look forward to another charter with Sea Dog Sailing. the one down side— Now I have what may be a burning desire for a sail boat of my own! Noah HunterTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Capt. Robert and his crew were so welcoming as soon as you walk down to the boat. If you have never been sailing you absolutely have to book a trip with this crew. My wife and I have never been and they made an amazing trip for both of us, explaining what they were doing with lines and sails, telling us how things work with the lake and sailing, and overall making us feel as comfortable and safe as possible. The boat is a beautiful vessel, the only downside was we wished we could’ve stayed and sailed longer! So if you’re in Milwaukee and want to experience something fun and exciting with a expert captain and friendly crew, book a trip with sea dog sailing! Scott HartmanTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had a great time sailing with Captain Bob and his crew. 5 stars, would recommend!