- Discover the world of sea kayaking in the Cape Cod Bay, inlets and coast - a dynamic and diverse environment you can embrace and explore. Have fun while kayaking among seals, birds and other marine life in the protected waters of Nauset Marsh, Pleasant Bay and more.
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Pleasant Bay
Tern IslandAn inspiring and challenging paddle in Pleasant Bay, a short distance from Chatham Harbor. We navigate the swift currents around the shallow shoals and alongside the shorelines, getting a great perspective of the rapidly changing geology of Cape Cod’s Atlantic coast. The Chatham Fish Pier, just to the south, is a productive port with a steady flow of catch being weighed, packed and sold. Seals swim through the tides at the mouth of the inlets, feeding within the currents, and shore birds can be seen in the beam of the lighthouse foraging for shellfish on the bars. During the break from paddling you can dig for clams, relax on the beach or stroll the sands that are shifting daily.
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Monomoy Island Wildlife Refuge
Seductive wildlife and open water paddle. To the north of the launch site is Stage Harbor and to the south, Outermost Harbor and the Monomoy Island’s Wildlife Refuge. The 3 hours of paddling invites many paths of possibilities. Paddling through the moored fishing fleets of Chatham and skirting along the coasts of million dollar homes are just a little bit of what can be seen on the paddle towards Oyster Pond or Mill Pond. When the weather is beautiful and the winds are low we exit south among the Monomoy Islands Wildlife Refuge where shore birds nest on untouched grounds and seals play in the shallows picking up shellfish and other small marine life. The direction that we choose to paddle is determined by the ...
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Bell’s Neck
Conservation Area
Herring RiverA colorful and intricate series of tributaries and creeks teeming with shore wildlife, Bells Neck Conservation area is a vital area for many native species of both the land and water variety. The rivers and creeks are a maze of trails, connecting tributaries for spawning alewives. With many uses of the waterways for textiles, logging, farming, this area of Cape Cod is filled with the history of thriving industries and new inventions. Come paddle the tidal river and discover years past with a glimpse into old Cape Cod.
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Nauset Marsh
North TrailAn easy and scenic paddle in the Nauset Marsh estuary during an incoming high tide. The sand bars flood over, opening up a vast amount of space to paddle up to the Coast Guard Station and parallel to the Outer Beach in the estuary where many birds nest in the hummocks of the dunes. The paddle generally lasts three hours with a short break on the Outer Beach where you can walk next to the surf of the Atlantic and watch the seals fishing in the currents. The tour starts in the Nauset Marsh from the Hemenway Boat Landing in Eastham and the water trail route varies each day dependent on tide times.
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Nauset Marsh
South TrailA nostalgic and calming paddle through the tidal flats of the Nauset Marsh. Winding through the maze of exposed sand bars and marsh walls reveals many small wonders. The shallow waters make visible sea snails, crabs, fish and submerged vegetation that make up this complex estuary. Venturing through the shallow waters of low tide in the Nauset Harbor means few boaters and many exposed shellfish for the birds to feed on. The paddle starts from Hemenway Boat Landing in Eastham and the duration is approximately three hours on water with a short break on one of the many sand bars where you can learn techniques in how to find clams in the tidal flats. This is an excellent paddle for the nature lover and birder alike.
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Pleasant Bay
Pochet IslandA challenging but rewarding paddle that starts in the heart of the largest contiguous bay of the National Seashore. The boat launch is small and requires arrangements to be picked up and dropped off due to the lack of parking however the solitude and surrounding landscape is like nothing else. High tide allows us to circumnavigate the island by passing through some narrow water trails and under a bridge. The clear water is great for watching fish and horseshoe crabs pass underneath and the tall grass reveals many of the blue and green herons along with many other birds. It is common not to see any other paddlers on this trip and the challenge comes from constant turning through the narrow passages. For returning paddlers on ...
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Clamming
Get down and dirty and try foraging for your food along the mud flats of the estuaries. There are many varieties of shellfish that each require a different technique in searching them out (aside from visiting the fish markets). You can learn about the different types of shellfish that can be found in the waters of Cape Cod, the different ways of finding them and the rules and regulations behind sustaining our harvests year after year. Many of Cape Kayaking’s tours paddle over these shellfishing grounds, but it is only at low tide that we have the chance to find and possibly taste these small treasures. Give us a call to inquire about the best times to go and learn about shellfishing.
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Birding
Birding along the shores of Cape Cod is a common activity for many, locals and visitors alike. While there are many premier spots that can be reached by foot, nothing compares to the experience of paddling through the estuaries where many migratory birds nest and feed. While we can almost guarantee you see a number of different birds such as osprey, red tailed hawks, common terns, various gulls and many more types of birds, there are specific destinations and times that we paddle that are better than others. If you are interested in spectating the birds while winding through the water trails, we can provide dry bags for your equipment and a little local knowledge. Give us a call and ask about birding the shores, ...