Barrier Islands Kayaking

Barrier Islands Kayaking Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Swansboro, North Carolina.  We meet at Barrier Island Kayaks, located at 160 Cedar Point Boulevard at 11:00 a.m. to be outfitted with kayaks, dry bags and other needed equipment.  We’ll park our vehicles there and then shuttle together to our first night’s campsite.  Please be sure to eat lunch on your way to our rendezvous, but leave dinner in the hands of our capable guides.  In camp we’ll enjoy a great seafood dinner and review the weekend’s upcoming events before turning in for the night.  Dinner included.

• Day 2

  Breakfast this morning is prepared fresh by our guides.  We then set out for the day’s paddle, a 7 mile trip beginning at Split Bayand ending at Cods Creek.  This marvelously secluded route leads us to our first campsite on Cape Lookout National Seashore.  Look forward to hiking beautiful undeveloped beaches as we get our first real taste of the rugged beauty of the Barrier Islands.  Tonight, we dine on delicious seasonal seafood and enjoy a stunning sunset from our beach camp. All meals and snacks included.

• Day 3

  After breakfast in camp, we pack up and paddle 7 miles to Cape Lookout.  This is the destination of choice for most sea kayakers.  Look for the famous wild horses of Shackelford Banks and enjoy a one-of-a-kind camping experience beneath the tallest lighthouse on the Outer Banks. Tonight we’ll look forward to another fantastic dinner prepared by our guides.  All meals and snacks included.

• Day 4

  We enjoy our final breakfast together before breaking camp.  Today’s paddle is the shortest of the trip, leading us 5 miles to our take-out at Harker’s Island.  The group will be shuttled back to our parked vehicles to return equipment and pick up any personal items left in storage.  We say our final goodbyes around noon when all depart for home.  Breakfast and snacks included.

Although we do our very best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.  The final paddling route is left up to the discretion of the guides, and is based upon trip member’s skill and weather conditions. This trip is operated rain or shine.

Professional instruction and guiding; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; shuttle services; 3 nights camping accommodations; tandem kayaks (more stable & easier to paddle) unless a single kayak is requested in advance, and all kayaking equipment.

Transportation from your hometown to Swansboro, NC; insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate (3) as we plan to kayak 4-6 hours per day in calm to moderately rough conditions.  To maximize your enjoyment of the trip and to avoid sore muscles, we suggest that you engage in a regular exercise regimen beginning at least three months prior to your departure.  Most important to your enjoyment of the trip is your overall fitness level.

Daytime temperatures are usually around 80° F, with evening temperatures dropping to 65 - 70°. You may encounter cool and rainy conditions, including fog and wind. Rain is a possibility so adequate raingear is important.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Weekend Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and detailed pre-trip information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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