Cave Point Kayak Tour: Limestone caves and Whitefish Dunes

Paddle straight to the caves instead of driving to them

A two-hour kayak tour from Jacksonport along the Door County coastline, paddling past limestone sea caves and undercut cliffs, with stops at Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes State Park. The boat launch sits closest to Cave Point, so almost all time goes on the water. A professional guide leads the tour, and kayak, life jacket and paddles are provided.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak tour of Cave Point and dunes

• Receive paddle and safety orientation
• Paddle along Door County coastline
• Explore limestone caves above and underwater
• Stop at Whitefish Dunes for beach and hiking
• Visit Jacksonport shoreline and trails

The Experience

The tour starts at the boat launch in Jacksonport, where you get a paddle and safety orientation before heading out onto Lake Michigan. From there you spend the next two hours paddling along the Door County shoreline, passing limestone caves that sit both above and below the waterline. The landscape here is carved by water and time—undercut cliffs rise from the lake, and submerged sea caves open into the rock face as you glide past.

The first major stop is Cave Point itself, where the limestone formations are most dramatic. You paddle close enough to see the detail in the stone and the way the water has hollowed it out over centuries. The second stop is Whitefish Dunes State Park, just south of Cave Point, where Wisconsin's tallest dunes rise from a mile-and-a-half stretch of beach. The park sits right on the shoreline, so you see it from the water before landing.

Because the launch is the closest location to Cave Point, you skip the long drive that eats into other tours. The guide handles navigation and timing, so the day stays focused on paddling and looking. Kayak, life jacket and paddles come with you; an air-conditioned vehicle is available for those who need transport to or from the launch.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English.
• kayak, life jacket and paddles.
• safety orientation at the launch.
• access to Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes State Park.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Peninsula Kayak Company

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to spend almost all your time paddling past the caves instead of sitting in a car getting to them—the closest launch to Cave Point means the two hours go to the water, not the road.

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Top questions

What exactly are the limestone caves at Cave Point like from a kayak?

Cave Point has limestone sea caves both above and below the waterline that you paddle past and can see up close. The caves are carved into undercut cliffs that rise directly from the lake, and some extend underwater so you see the openings from your kayak.

How long is the actual paddling, and what's the fitness level like?

The tour runs two hours total on the water. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, so paddling experience is not required—the guide sets the pace and handles the route.

Do I need to bring my own kayak and life jacket?

No. Kayak, life jacket and paddles are all included with the tour, and you get a safety orientation at the boat launch before you head out.

Where do we start, and how far is it from other towns in the area?

The tour starts in Jacksonport, which sits on the Lake Michigan shoreline. It's a short drive south from Sturgeon Bay, or north from Bailey's Harbor, and close to Egg Harbor, Sister Bay, Fish Creek and Ephraim.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. Service animals are allowed.