Cape Lookout Sea Kayaking
Awareness- Challenge - Discovery
Harkers Island, NC $650 May 9-11, 2025
Explore the wild and windswept uninhabited islands of Cape Lookout National seashore, now an officially designated International Dark Sky park. We'll load up sleek and stable sea kayaks with everything we'll need, and shove off for an adventure through turquoise waters.
On Cape Lookout, you can tour the historic lighthouse keepers quarters, swim in the surf, wade in crystal blue waters or nap in one of the breezy picnic shelters.
On Shackleford banks, we'll watch the wild ponies meander through camp, stroll for shells on the beach and have a campfire while we watch the Milky Way traverse the sky.
What to expect
We will meet either at Shell Point on Harker's Island or the public boat ramp in Beaufort. Our specific itinerary will be dependent on the winds and tides.
Gear you'll need
We will send a very detailed gear list via email once you register, and will have a zoom call to answer any questions. ​
​
If you have the basic equipment for backpacking, you have what you need for sea kayaking. This time, you won't need the backpack, just the stuff you would normally put in it. While weight does not matter as much in sea kayaking, our gear needs to be able to physically fit through the hatch openings of the boat. This is why backpacking gear is better suited than car camping gear.
​​
-low profile, backpacking style tent with rain fly that goes to the ground
-30-50 degree synthetic sleeping bag
-sleeping pad
-clothes (the gear list will outline specifics)
-paddling shoes or sandals
​
If you do not have your own tent, we have a couple of tents for rent. Please email us for availability.
Gear We Provide
Boats, PFD's & Paddles
We provide the sea kayaks, life jackets and paddles. Our kayaks are the Wilderness Systems Tsunami 145. Our life jackets and paddles are a varied assortment of brands and models in a range of sizes to accommodate different sized paddlers.
​
Dry Bags
Packing a sea kayak is like a game of Tetris. All our gear will be packed into dry bags, and then shoved through hatch openings to fill the hatches. Like Tetris, it is easier to fit everything if it is packed into several smaller bags instead of a couple of large bags. We will provide several dry bags for you to organize your gear.
Food & Cooking
We provide meals and the stoves to cook them on. Please bring your own bowl, mug and utensils.
​
Safety & Rescue
We carry the equipment to rescue and tow paddlers who either flip or need assistance. These items include bilge pumps, paddle floats, deck slings, tow lines and sponges. We also carry a large, group sized first aid kit.