The southern portion of New Jersey, including the Pine Barrens and the salt marshes around Cape May and Wildwood, are important stop off points for migratory birds up and down the East Coast. Parts of the marshes have been protected the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge although most of the tidal salt marshes closest to Cape May are still up for grabs.
An Egret in the Cape May Salt Marshes
We spent a few hours paddling through the tranquil waterways in ocean kayaks as part of a small group tour involving 4 or 5 kayaks run by Aqua Trail Kayak Nature Tours. The 2 1/2 hour tour takes you close to nesting ospreys, herons, egrets, and other salt marsh flora and fauna. Our favorites were the fiddler crabs that dig into the sandbanks.
Bring Sun Tan Lotion, Water and Bug Spray
The tours are open to families with younger kids but we felt that age 10 and up is about right for this adventure. There is a lot of paddling required in the sun as there is virtually no shade in the marsh. Our tween was beat by the end after powering her own kayak the whole trip. Bring sun tan lotion, water and bug spray as well as water shoes. Younger kids would definitely need to share a two person kayak with someone older. The water isn’t too deep but you have to be the judge of your child’s ability to stay in the kayak, to keep up with the group and to remain interested in crabs, birds and grasses for a couple of hours. The tour was just the right length for our teen and tween.
The backwaters of the salt marshes are sparsely traveled so you need to stay with your guide. We felt we’d still be wandering in circles if we hadn’t had someone to show us the way out! However, for the adventurous, kayak rentals are also available. There are other kayak outfitters, as well as commerical sight seeing boat tours, available to help you explore the Cape May marshes, harbor and coastline. We liked Aqua Trail because they also partner with the local New Jersey Audubon Society Nature Center of Cape May.
This is one in a series on Top 10 activities for family vacations with teens and tweens on the Jersey Shore. Click the link to see the full list or visit our Travel with Teens and Tweens Jersey Shore archives see the posts in chronological order.
There is another place across the Cape May Harbor called Cape Kayaks. They are located right at the base of the salt marsh and offer many different paddeling routes through the cape may salt marsh. We took a tour and it was 1.5 hours (Just enough for our group!) They guides were experienced and pointed out some beautiful wildlife. They also do rentals where you can take them out on your own. It is a very safe location. The best part is they have a fish market and will steam you fresh crabs caught by their family members to eat on the deck.
Check the out. We found them online at http://www.capekayaksnj.com.
There are other options in Cape May for kayaking for the younger or less experienced kayakers as well as more avid kayakers. The Miss Chris Marina offers rentals and tours which take place on Cape Island Creek which is a Salt Marsh area that runs along behind Cape May. This kayaking allows kayakers to visit the Salt Marsh without having to kayak across Cape May harbor from the Nature Center.
Thanks for the tip!