What should i bring?

Water. Snacks. Sunscreen. Clothes suitable for kayaking. Joy. Your best powers of observation. 

I will provide kayaks, paddles, PFD's (life jackets), paddling instruction, and a unique guided tour. Bug spray is usually not needed, but you may wish to bring some for the hiking tour. I also recommend close-toed shoes for the hiking tour. 

Where do we meet?

River tours--Side Creek Loop and Sandy Island Hike--meet at Wacca Wache landing in Murrells Inlet. Due to landing and marina rules, you have to park in the public parking lot (on the right, a quarter mile before the landing) on Wachesaw Road and walk down to meet me. 

​Salt marsh tours--Inlet Natural History and Silent Sunrise--meet at Morse Park Landing, the public landing beside the Hot Fish Club restaurant in Murrells Inlet. 

Guide's Custom: I will give you directions to the landing in our phone conversation. 

why can't you take children under 10?

Currently, I am not equipped with youth kayaks, but I hope to offer this option in the future. I do have smaller kayaks, though, for smaller adults and teenagers. 

why don't you have tandem kayaks?

These are called "Divorce Boats" for a reason. 

do you rent kayaks? WHY DO I NEED A GUIDE?

I do not rent kayaks for personal use. 

A guide prevents you from going up the wrong creek in the marshy maze, getting stuck in the pluff mud on the outgoing tide, and getting cut up by oyster shells. Or lost on the river. I've seen it happen many, many times. A guide is also armed with lots of fun facts, paddling know-how, and local knowledge, including local restaurant recommendations.

what if i've never kayaked before?

I'd be happy to have you and to teach you how to paddle. Kayaking is an easy, fun sport for everyone. However, I recommend taking the Sandy Island (river) tour. The conditions on these tours are usually the easiest for first-time paddlers.  

can i bring my own kayak?

Absolutely. Just let me know before the trip. 

WHY DO TOURS START IN THE MORNING?

Down here, the heat and the wind and the weather typically pick up in the summer afternoons. Besides, there's nothing better than exercising in the morning and enjoying lunch afterwards. 

will i tip over?

These kayaks are super stable. Out of the thousands of people I have taken kayaking, only four have ever gone swimming (and all four were "horsing around"). So you have, roughly, a 0.004% chance? (I'm no mathematician.) Bottom line: Sure, you can always tip over, but you can never OVER TIP!

why do you read a short passage from a book DURING every trip?

It's called River Reader, after all. Each selected (and short) passage is unique to that day, that tour, and that group. Think of it as a river mantra, if you will. 

how many people can you take?

Right now, I take up to 6 people. It's best--for safety and intimacy of experience--that we keep the group small. 

What is your cancellation policy? WHAT IF YOU HAVE TO CANCEl?

As I grow my business, I am offering full refunds or free rescheduling if you call me at any time before the  trip. 

I will of course refund you 100% if I must cancel for any reason, including heavy wind (generally over 12 mph) or bad weather. 

Do you offer kayak fishing?

I love to fish. But these are paddling tours only. I'd be happy to recommend a good fishing guide. 

are there bathrooms?

There are port-o-potties available before and after the river tours, and a private bathroom you can use before or after the marsh tours. However, I recommend using the restroom before you arrive. 

For the Sandy Island hike, it's a "third tree on the right" situation when we get to the island. I will bring a trowel, TP, and a bag for packing out TP. Leave no trace!

IS THERE A WEIGHT LIMIT?

280 pounds. In the future, I hope to have kayaks that can accommodate anyone over this limit. 

What will i see?

Check out the Photo Gallery on this website for a sample of potential observations and scenes.