McGarvey Shoal is located in the Lake Superior North Shore Inside Passage. More than a shallow reef, it is the peak of an underwater mountain that rises from a depth of 270 feet to three feet below the water’s surface. The shoal is the site of a famous shipwreck, the Gunilda. The luxury steam yacht foundered here in 1911 after its owner refused to hire a pilot to navigate the treacherous waters of the Schreiber Channel. The crew and passengers safely disembarked, but efforts to dislodge Gunildia caused her to sink; today, she is preserved 266 feet below the lake’s surface.
A Day in the Life of an Explorer
Coffee with a View
Enjoy the stillness of dawn while watching the sun rise over the lake with a warm cup of coffee from your Nordic Balcony.
Kayaking
Discover the ecosystems of the Inside Passage and revel in the natural beauty around you as you paddle among the islands and channels around McGarvey Shoal.
Special Operations Boat
Sail along the deepwater channels of the Inside Passage, noting the local flora and keeping watch for beavers, muskrats and other creatures that inhabit the archipelago.
Zodiac Cruise
Admire the beauty of uninhabited islands as you sail across the water and through the inlets that weave their way around the archipelago.
Onboard Science
With your Viking Resident Scientists, learn about the array of ecosystems and geologic history of the Inside Passage.
Relax & Reminisce
With a great day of exploration completed, enjoy the sunset and exchange photos and stories of your day over a specialty coffee or cocktail on the Aquavit Terrace.
