Kayaking Through Underwater Sea Caves

Crystal clear, jewel-colored water. Zebra mussels etching the lake’s bottom. Cliffs jutting into the horizon. Sunsets painting the sky. Sea caves carved into rocks. All of these attributes describe one magical place. Cave Point in Door County, Wisconsin.

I’ve lived in the midwest my entire life. When people ask me what life was like growing up in such an area, I know that they are expecting me to rattle on about long rows of cornfields, empty highways and tractors clogging country roads. But this is so far from the truth. Though we are famous for cornfields (some pretty good corn, might I add!) and you will see the occasional tractor (because, after all, the farmers have to plow the fields somehow!), we have much more to offer. Our states are filled with some of the most beautiful sights. Not exactly Grand Canyon material, but some midwesterners will argue on the contrary simply because on this side of the country, sights like these are unexpected. I am extremely passionate when talking about the midwest, not just because it’s where I grew up, but also because we truly have some incredible places that shouldn’t be overlooked. I have so much to tell you all, but for now, I am going to direct this post toward Wisconsin.

Wisconsin may be known for cheese, but one look at the states’ coastline will direct your attention away from cheddar and toward the stunning, rocky landscapes and jewel-colored Great Lake, Lake Michigan. The peninsula is dotted with cute little towns, such as Fish Creek, Sturgeon Bay, Sister Bay, Egg Harbor, and Baileys Harbor. Today, I am going to direct your attention toward my personal favorite, Sturgeon Bay. This city houses one of the most picturesque landscapes in the state, Cave Point. Cave Point is accessible by foot or water; we chose to explore both routes!

Cave Point County Park offered stunning, sweeping views of the lake. Unending clear blue water stretched into the horizon, where the sun was beginning to make its descent for the evening. The thunderous echo of the waves crashed against the cliffs, ringing in my ears. A trail wound around the water’s edge, with rocky paths leading down to the lake. We descended those rocks, climbed across massive boulders, and stepped onto cliffs, overlooking the water. For the wildly adventurous soul, there was even a spot to cliff dive!

After an evening of exploring, we grabbed our lawn chairs from the car and set them up at the cliff’s edge. The sun was slowly setting, pastel yellows, pinks and blues smeared across the canvas. Birds circled above, and below, we spotted zebra mussels that etched the bottom of the lake like mismatched puzzle pieces. What a perfect end to a perfect day. Our adventures were just beginning!

The next day, we embarked on an adventure that involved the same landscape from a different perspective. We went kayaking! This adventure took place last summer, and it was actually our very first time kayaking. Instantly, we fell in love with the water sport. The way it felt to glide across the water (especially when we were effortlessly coasting in the direction of the wind); the splashing sound the paddle made when it dipped gracefully into the water; the way you could see everything from water-level perspective; we were in heaven!

Since it was our first time kayaking, and since we were unsure of the specific whereabouts of the caves, we let a tour guide lead the way. The slightly windy, drizzly, chilly morning didn’t diminish our moods. We paddled along the edge of the water, admiring the wide expanse of the lake and the tree-lined, rocky walls that towered in astonishing height next to us. We had hiked on top of the cliffs the previous night; it was unreal to see the views from the bottom now!

We kayaked for about a mile before we reached the first sea cave. We’d seen photos, read articles, but we weren’t prepared for the overwhelmingly spectacular sight we were about to see. The enclosed cave was about twenty yards wide, etched in the rocky wall. Paddling inside, I drifted around in the cave, admiring the dark atmosphere and the emerald green water. The only audible sounds were my quiet voice and the splashing of my paddles that echoed inside the cave walls. The alcove was dark, damp, and astonishing. I sat there, paddles criss-crossed over my knees, wanting to stay there all day. The underwater sea cave was such an incredible sight! We paddled on and saw another cave, this one wider and more open.

The three-mike kayaking experience proved to be an intense workout filled with some of the most unique landscapes. The jagged cliffs and thunderous waves contrasted sharply to the soft glide of the kayak and the quiet splash of the paddles as they were dipped in and out of the water.

If you are planning a trip to Door County, make sure you stop by Cave Point County Park for some cliff diving, boulder hopping, and of course, some sea cave exploration!

Happy hiking!