In 1608, Captain John Smith and fourteen English settlers used a small open boat to make the first complete European exploration of the Chesapeake Bay. Today, Smith’s voyage is commemorated by the National Park Service’s Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail - a 2,500 mile water trail that connects almost every corner of our nation’s largest estuary. Amazingly, portions of the Trail look much as they did four centuries ago, with towering trees along the shoreline, clear water, and abundant wildlife. Exploring these untarnished landscapes is what a Chesapeake Adventures kayaking trip is all about.

Participants in a Chesapeake Adventures kayaking trip use a mobile aluminum trailer carrying 15 kayaks to access some of the most pristine waterways on the middle and upper Bay. The flexibility of this rig makes it possible for the trip’s ten students and three staff guides to explore a freshwater creek filled with bald eagles on the Sassafras River one day, and paddle the narrow creeks and salt marshes in world-famous Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge the following morning.

Each night, participants camp ashore in tents, cook under the stars, and have ample time to play games, roast marshmallows, go on a nature hike, or just relax.  There is also plenty of time between paddles to visit historic sites, swim, pull seine nets, fish with a hook and line, and have fun!

Trip Description

Kayaking trips begin on Monday morning when students gather at Turner’s Creek Public Landing off the Sassafras River on Maryland’s upper Eastern Shore. After a brief orientation, the group will move to the first base camp, located on a preserved 1,000 acre waterfront farm only two miles up the road. From this site, participants will spend the first part of the week exploring the fresh water marshes of the upper Sassafras River. These waters are home to the locally endangered American lotus, whose gorgeous 8” flowers are the largest of any plant in North America. Paddlers will be led by three experienced staff members who will provide individualized instruction on safety procedures, paddling skills, and boat handling. When not kayaking, there will be plenty of time to venture ashore to swim, pull seine nets, fi sh with a hook and line, go marsh mucking, or just relax on the wide, sandy beaches of the Sassafras.

On Wednesday, the group will strike camp and re-locate approximately 70 miles south to one of several camp sites on or near the Nanticoke River. Widely regarded as the most pristine river on the Chesapeake Bay, the Nanticoke and its many tributaries provide participants with some of the most popular fl at-water paddling destinations on the East Coast. The second base camp is also located within easy striking distance of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Fishing Bay Wildlife Management Area, the Transquaking River, and numerous undeveloped tidal creeks that evoke memories of the Bay recorded by Captain John Smith four centuries ago.

New to Kayaking?

Chesapeake Adventures kayaking trips provide great opportunities for participants of all paddling abilities to explore some of the most pristine waterways that the Bay has to offer. Novices will receive individualized instruction from Sultana’s ACA certified trip leaders, while more experienced kayakers will have plenty of time to explore and learn new skills. Each day’s paddle is tailored to fit the skill set of that particular group, and many of the destinations are located on scenic tributaries that are relatively protected from wind and weather. For participants with limited experience, it generally takes only an hour or two to get comfortable enough kayaking so that you can keep up with more experienced paddlers.

The Chesapeake Adventures program uses a combination of 10 and 12-foot kayaks built by Native Watercraft. These vessels are designed to have excellent on-the-water performance while still having plenty of stability.

Trip #1 June 18 - 22
Trip #2 July 2 - 6
Trip #3 July 16 - 20
Trip #4 July 30 - Aug. 3

All Chesapeake Adventures kayaking trips begin on Monday morning at 11:00am and end on Friday afternoon at 4:00pm at the following locations: