I did a solo kayak trip this past Sept to the A.I.  7 overnights, covered  70+ miles. It's a popular place, seen a lot of sailboaters, other yakkers.  Big water of course, it is Lake Superior, I should probably mention that. I had a couple days of 3-4 footers, they seemed 8-10 but... stories always have room to get better.  Big open water stretches of 6-7 miles, solitude,  good meditations.  Great sunsets everynight, neat campsites, I was out in new moon. Stars.  Seen bear tracks through camp, must have walked by when I had my back turned.  
 The islands geog, topog are really unique. Not so much a canoe destination,  water is cold. I went swimming though, weather was really super.   I'll go back...again & again probably.
 I have read of  a yakker group crossing from Two Harbors to the A.I.  Many hours on the water...
 

YB-

I wear a wetsuit all the time on Superior, even when it was roasting out.  Have practiced wet exits/entries and executed countless rolls, with a fully loaded boat, in cold water, in big waves. Effective selfrescue(ideally rolling) is a must, hypothermia happens easy in 50deg water.  Rolling is a lot easier than a wet entry, believe it or not, it's easy to learn and kind of fun.   In all my many miles of yaking, smooth as glass to 5-7 feet, I have never been turned over accidently. As close as I have come is high waves, with high wind gusts, really have to concentrate on technique, and feel the water.

Whats the camping like?  

Nice. NP service, so there are tent pads, tables, bearboxes (most sites) and toilets (most sites)

 I recall them having mostly thick vegetation and rocky/pebbly beaches.  Correct?  

Mostly sand beaches to land/launch at the campsites.   Some sites you can use the pier, it appears, I did'nt. Most islands are quite large, with extensive hiking trails. Cool light houses, some still have private property. Bears...

And aren't there just a handful?....how many islands are there?

20 .. I think some are off limits due to wildlife

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Thanks here, too!

I missed a chance to yak the islands a couple of years ago
when the other two I was planning with dropped out. I was
not comfortable with taking on so many miles in the big water
solo, so I backed out too.

AI is still on my list...

-aj