Adventure Descriptions

  • Eagle Island

    Everyone, if they really admit it, wants to explore Eagle Island. This island is a natural wonder and is just a few minutes away from Wilmington or Brunswick County. Eagles Island lies in the confluence of the Cape Fear and Brunswick Rivers in southeastern NC in the Lower Cape Fear River Basin. Eagles Island consists of approximately 3,100 acres situated between Wilmington and Leland.

    Map & More Information: Eagle Island Kayaking

  • Black River:

    The Black River is a popular paddling destination because it has sufficient water even in droughts and runs through land that is largely undisturbed forest.  The Black River is also popular because of its numerous sandbars that line its banks and sandy bottoms.  Its blackwater swamps contain the oldest know living trees in eastern North America.  The Black River is known for its high water quality and it’s abundance of natural beauty and wildlife.  Paddlers on the Black River can expect to have a enjoy encounter with some of the best natural beauty and wildlife in eastern North Carolina.

  •  Two possible full day adventures including possible overnight trips
    • Ivanhoe Road to Beattys Bridge Road – 7.6 mile float
    • Beattys Bridge Road to Hunts Bluff – 12.9 mile float (most difficult when water is low)

    Map & More Information: Black River Kayaking

  • Cape Fear River:

    The Cape Fear River is named for the dangerous Cape Fear shoals off of Bald Head Island, near the mouth of the river.  Italian explorer Verrazzano, back by the French government to discover the westward passage to Asia, came to the lower Cape Fear in 1524.  Also, the Cape Fear is the only large river in North Carolina flowing directly into the Atlantic.  The lower Cape Fear River is rich in wildlife with both a tidal influence and fresh water influence from further up stream.  There are numerous islands in the river that offer opportunities for exploring and enjoying a nice picnic lunch.

    • Half and full day trips possible
      • River Road Park:  Paddle out and back, exploring both Keg Island, Shark’s Tooth Island and Campbell Island – 5 to 6 miles
      • Carolina Beach State Park to The Basin – 7 miles paddle exploring the river, Sugar Loaf Doom at Carolina Beach State Park and the Fort Fisher Basin.

    Map & More Information: Cape Fear River/Carolina Beach Kayaking

  • Fort Fisher Basin:

    The Basin as it is known to locals is located at Fort Fisher Ferry departure point in New Hanover County.  The Cape Fear River basin was one of the three original National Estuarine Research Reserve components dedicated by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration and the Division of Coastal Management in 1985. The lagoon complex at the Basin site is one of the most unusual areas of the North Carolina coast. Three islands and a beach barrier spit within the site comprise over 1,100 acres. The islands are Zeke’s Island, North Island, and No Name Island. The islands are fringed with extensive marshes and tidal flats.

    • Half day, sunset and full moon adventures are possible.

    Map & More Information: Ft. Fisher Basin Kayaking

  • Holly Shelter Creek:

    Holly Shelter Creek (also known as Shelter Creek) begins in Onslow County, just over the northeast border of Pender County.  It is a small blackwater stream with a large beaver population in the headwaters and an abundance of birds and other wildlife.  There is small tidal influence near the confluence with the Northeast Cape Fear River.

    • Half day to full Day adventures possible
      • Old Maple Hill Highway Bridge to Old Maple Hill Highway bridge over Shaken Creek – 6.2 miles
      • Old Maple Hill Highway bridge over Shaken Creek to Shaw Highway Bridge – 5.5 miles
      • Shaw Highway Bridge to Whitestocking Road Boat Ramp. – 6.3 miles

  • Intracoastal Waterway:

    There are large areas of Intracoastal Waters and salt marshes that can be explored on guided kayaking trips.

    • Half and Full Day adventures possible

  • Lumber River Adventure:

    The Lumber River was known to the Indians as Lumbee (thought to be an Indian word for black water).  The Lumber River meanders approximately 136 miles through the southwestern part of the state, flowing over a sandy bottom and through beautiful cypress swamps.  Lumber River State Park has numerous paddles in only camping areas along the river, allowing for continuous multiple day paddle trips.

    • Full day and overnight adventures possible

    Map & More Information: Lumber River Kayaking

  • Moores Creek:

    Moores Creek begins in northwest Pender County and flow south passing Moores Creek National Battlefield.  Moores Creek National Battlefield is an 88 acre park that commemorates the battle between Patriots and Loyalist militia on February 27, 1776.  This battle was the first major victory for the Patriots and led to Cornwallis withdrawal from North Carolina.  There is a lot of wildlife and mixture of forest and homes along the creek.

    • Half day adventures only
      • Borough Access to the Moores Creek Battlefield and back – 7 miles

    Map & More Information: Moores Creek Kayaking

  • Northeast Cape Fear River:

    The Northeast Cape Fear River begins near the city of Mount Olive as a small blackwater stream.  It flows 112 miles south where it meets the Cape Fear River in Wilmington.  Exploration of the NE Cape Fear begun in 1664 by the English explorer William Hinton.  Soon after the river was used for transportation and the trade of lumber and turpentine.  In Pender County there is a mixture of little to no development to evidence of frequent development along the river.

    • Half, Full Day and even overnight adventures possible
      • Croomsbridge Road Bridge to Whitestocking Road Boat Ramp – 8.9 miles
      • Whitestocking Road Boat Ramp to Old Plantation Road – 4.5 miles
      • Old Plantation Road to NC 210 Lanes Ferry Landing – 11.6 miles

    Map & More Information: Northeast Cape Fear River Kayaking

  • Town Creek:

    Town Creek begins as a black water stream in Brunswick County in the eastern part of the Green Swamp.  It flows southeast and empties into the Cape Fear River just downstream of downtown Wilmington.   In 1664 a group of English settlers from Barbados established Charles Town on Town Creek, near the Cape Fear River.  Their efforts failed because of hostile Indians, pirates and a weak supply line.  These problems drove these settlers south, where they formed Charleston, South Carolina.    Town Creek is a prime wildlife habitat and wetlands, much of it is protected.  The North Carolina Coastal Land Trust has worked with both state and federal agencies, timber companies and private individuals to protect over 6200 acres along Town Creek.

    • Gordon Lewis Road out and back trip – 6 to 7 miles
    • Gordon Lewis Road to Brunswick Nature Preserve – 14 miles (full day trip)
    • Brunswick Nature Preserve to Campbell Island and back – 11 miles (advanced paddlers who are ready for a full day trip and must be timed with the falling and rising tides)

    Map & More Information: Town Creek / Green Swamp Kayaking