Kayaking
In recent years, Americans have become increasingly health conscious and
nature oriented. Kayaking is a great way to enjoy nature and get in some
good exercise. No experience is needed - the kayak rental companies will
teach you all you need to
know. You need reasonable upper body strength and decent coordination -
that's all. Life jackets are often required to be worn, (certainly
non-swimmers must wear life jackets), and everyone should wear old clothes and
foot covering that can get wet. There are kayak expeditions for dolphin
and bird watching, for viewing the sunset, for full moon enjoyment and even for
fireworks at Shelter Cove. Discount coupons are common in local
publications.
Kayaks come in many varieties: one or two passenger, sit on or sit in, with or without a rudder.
If you have not been kayaking before (canoeing doesn't count) you should go on a tour. Otherwise you can rent a kayak and go off on your own. The tours generally offer instruction and guides who are knowledgeable about the area and its nature.
When planning your kayak trip, consider which goals you have in mind, then decide where you want to go. For example dolphin are best spotted in the Calibogue Sound (a few are in the lower reaches of Broad Creek). Birds are seen everywhere, but you are more likely to see some up close in the smaller waterways, such as Jarvis Creek (on the North End near Jenkins Island) or Calibogue Creek (near the mouth of Broad Creek ) or Baynard Cove (near Braddock Cove in South Beach) ,as well as around the Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge. The waters in the smaller waterways are smoother than in Broad Creek (some mild boat wakes) or in the Calibogue Sound, which can get quite choppy on windy days.
The tides are something to think about as well. At or near low tide some waterways are inaccessible, and if you depart from land, it might be quite muddy. At or near high tide is generally the best time to go. The tide can also affect the level of difficulty. If you are kayaking upstream when the tide is going out, you could be going against a three mile per hour current. Conversely, the tide could make it easy if in your favor. Think about going when the tide is full in, when there is little current. Inexperienced kayakers should not attempt to go to Daufuski Island because the tidal currents can be very strong and boat wakes and wind driven chop (waves) can be brutal. If you go for the Shelter Cove fireworks, you should know in the summer dozens of power boats show up for the event, and you will be returning in the dark in a tiny kayak.
Listed here are some kayak rental and excursion companies in alphabetical order. We make no representation regarding these companies. This summarized information is provided to give you an idea who to call to get complete information.
H2O Sports 877-290-4386 Harbour town or 843-671-7007 South Beach Marina
Jarvis Creek Water Sports
843-681-9260 Jarvis Creek behind the Crazy Crab North end
Kayak Hilton Head 843-684-1910 is located
at Simmons Landing, next to the Broad Creek Marina. Also offer kayak fishing. They
now have a second location at the RV Resort on the north end, from which
you can explore Pinckney Island 843-684-1912.
Marshgrass Adventures 843-684-3296 offers
kayak nature tours from various locations.
Outside Hilton Head, 843-686-6996
offers two locations: Shelter Cove Marina and Hudson's Restaurant . They provide dolphin watches, kids' summer camp,
fireworks, fishing, Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge and Daufuskie Island.
Palmetto Bay Water Sports 843-785-2345 is located at the Palmetto Bay Marina.
Palmetto dunes Outfitters 843-785-2449.
Water Dog Outfitters 843-686-3554 at Broad Creek Marina.
Updated 06/15/2010