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The Kayaking possibilities around
Emerald Isle are limitless. It's truly a paradise
for kayakers, and one of the finest kayaking destinations
in the country.
What makes Emerald Isle so special
for kayaking are the confluence of several distinct
water sources, and the numerous uninhabited islands
and inland waterways. If you like paddling in
the ocean, then the warm waters of the Atlantic
beckon you to discover the miles of shoreline
of Emerald Isle and Bear Island. If paddling estuaries
and tidal waterways is your passion, then Bogue
Sound provides numerous established kayaking trails,
or the freedom to explore your own waterways.
And if black water kayaking is your calling, then
White Oak River will transport you deep into a
bayou of swamp vegetation and wildlife..
The great thing about kayaking
is that the shallow draft of your kayak allows
you to travel waterways where no other boats can
go, so you can see our native wildlife up close
in their natural habitats.
If you don't have your own kayak,
or would like to enlist the services of a local
guide, several great kayaking companies are ready
to help you with your Emerald Isle kayaking experience.
While the possibilities are
truly endless, here are some favorite locations
and destinations.
Bear Island - Hammocks Beach State Park
 Just
west of Emerald Isle lies uninhabited Bear Island,
home of Hammocks Beach State Park. Bear Island
is a short paddle trip from either The Point on
Emerald Isle, or from several locations on the
mainland near Cape Cateret or Swansboro.
Bear Island affords miles of
pristine beaches completely free from crowds even
at the height of summer. There's primitive camping
available there as well, so you can load up the
gear and paddle out for an overnight stay on the
beach!
Bogue Sound
The sheltered waters of Bogue
Sound provide miles and miles of tidal estuary
paddling through and endless array of islands.
Many of the islands are sanctuaries, home to a
myriad of water fowl, including the statuesque
Ibis, so for nature lovers Bogue sound is an incredible
source of nature watching and discovery.
 And
when you get tired of paddling and need a break,
just find your own beach or tidal island to land
your boat and have a picnic! The clear warm waters
of Bogue sound are perfect for a refreshing dip,
so if you've packed your snorkeling gear you're
ready to splash around and see what treasures
you can find.
Bogue Sound is a great place
for beginning kayakers to learn the art of kayaking,
since most of the water is so shallow you can
just roll out of the boat and stand in waist deep
water!
White Oak River
 The
White Oak River opens up miles of black water
kayaking as you paddle up river through bayou
like conditions. If you've never paddled in black
water conditions before, it's an experience not
to be missed. You get the feeling you're paddling
through regions that no human eye has ever seen
before, with dense vegetation all around you and
your only companions are the stillness of the
river and the natural wildlife your quietly paddling
by.
Eagles and herons are common
sightings, or perhaps you will get lucky and catch
a rare glimpse of an elusive alligator.
At several points along the
river are landing points that provide primitive
camping options. So it's entirely possible to
spend an entire week just paddling the White Oak
River going from camping spot to camping spot.
So Get Out and Paddle!
No matter what your kayaking
desires may be, there are several great kayaking
outfitters in the area that offer kayak sales
& rentals, paddling lessons, maps, or guided
excursions. They're a great place to begin your
kayaking adventure around Emerald Isle!
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