Top North Carolina Kayaking Tours

End your day with a beautiful sunset and a relaxing kayak during your time in Corolla. Board your sit-in kayak and paddle around the waterways of Currituck Sound in the Outer Banks. Navigate bays, canals, and sheltered islands and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife in the area.

Paddle through the Outer Banks' Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge for a fun adventure. Join a small group and learn about the old logging and whiskey distilling community that once thrived during Prohibition as you navigate the waterways. Keep your eyes peeled for several wildlife species including alligators, bald eagles, turtles, river otters, and even a black bear.

Explore the calm waters of the Outer Banks’ Roanoke Sound by kayak on this wildlife-filled excursion. Join a guide and your group for a paddle through salt marsh canals and flat water in the sound—while you paddle, keep an eye out for the locals, i.e. pelicans, herons, ospreys, skimmers, and more.

This is one of only a few maritime forests left along the Carolina Coast. The only way to view this area is on a kayak or paddleboard.

Explore the vibrant ecosystem of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge on a guided kayak tour. Paddle through the serene Pamlico Sound, where over 365 bird species have been recorded. Spot majestic Brown Pelicans, elegant Blue Herons, and the stunning White Ibis as you navigate these picturesque waters. Knowledgeable guides provide insights into the rich coastal environment and its fascinating marine life, including crabs, fish, and playful Stingrays. This experience is thoughtfully designed for all skill levels, ensuring an enriching adventure for families and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

With more than 150 miles of shoreline—and resting at the base of the spectacular Linville Gorge— Lake James is a kayaker’s delight. With a guide, it’s even better: On this half-day adventure, you’ll explore with a naturalist, learning all about this region’s flora, fauna, natural history, and more. One of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, you’ll get grade-A time with Mother Nature, guaranteed.

Enjoy a relaxing time out on the waters of Pamlico Sound on a kayak tour to Cape Hatteras. Join a small group and paddle out onto the calm waterways just around the sunset hour. Keep your eyes peeled for local birds like ospreys, pelicans, egrets as well as sea turtles, rays, and river otters.

During the Bodie Island Clear Kayak Tour, you’ll navigate through tranquil waterways, witness breathtaking coastal landscapes, and encounter a variety of wildlife. Available from June to November, this tour is perfect for all ages and lasts 1.5 to 2 hours. Keep your eyes peeled for the diverse wildlife that calls this area home, and immerse yourself in the rich history surrounding the iconic Bodie Island Lighthouse.

Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge provides habitat to an extensive list of over 300 living species. On our kayak tours, we get the chance to see a variety of birds like the Prothonotary Warblers, Wood Ducks, Northern Cardinals, Killdeer, and Pileated Wood Peckers. Oftentimes, we spot an alligator swimming in the distance or sunning on the shore. The refuge is also home to the largest concentration of black bears on the East Coast. Black Bears can sometimes be seen roaming or relaxing on land or climbing the trees.

Discover the calm waterways and local wildlife of Kitty Hawk Woods Coastal Reserve during this kayaking excursion. Join a small group and paddle on a glassy creek that winds through the deciduous maritime forest. Learn about the local ecosystem from your guide and keep your eyes peeled for osprey, egrets, herons, turtles, and even river otters.

Head out for an evening of drinking and dining with this immersive beer tour. You'll visit four different local breweries, where you'll get to sample craft beer and learn about the brewing process. This tour also includes a stop for a meal at Midwood Smokehouse.