While we were on vacation in Myrtle Beach, we had the wonderful opportunity to take a Huntington Beach State Park / Murrells inlet Salt Marsh Kayak Tour with Black River Outdoors. We got to kayak through a sea of grass that is home to an amazing variety of birds and marine life.
These are our tour guides. They are self proclaimed geeks and were beyond knowledgeable. I loved that one lead the tour and Spaz (the one in the orange life preserver) took up the back. That way, nobody was left behind. Plus, we were able to ask questions to Spaz without tying up the whole tour. Plus, he was able to help you when you got stuck. And yes, I got stuck. (I know somebody is going to ask!)
The kayaks are set up so that you can go by yourself. However, if you have kids, they can ride along in the kayak with you. This worked really well with my family.
Let me also add that Will was little to no help paddling! LOL We got to see a ton of awesome wildlife on this kayak trip. We saw a ton of birds:
We learned not to step into the mud. It literally would suck you in. You immediately found that out with the paddles. I just prayed we didn't fall out of the kayak (and we didn't). The storms constantly change the marsh. I found that really interesting and really amazing. It is cool to find out that everything in nature really does change.
All those round pieces in this picture — can you guess what they are? Snails! The second picture is a close-up of the fiddler craps. We also found a sponge on this trip. However, the most surprising thing we came across wasn't suppose to be in the marsh:
Say hello to my little friend. Normally, you will never find an alligator in the marshes. Why? They are fresh water creatures. The marsh is salt water. They are unable to filter the salt and will die if they stay in the marsh. Our guides figure that somebody was feeding this guy, and at night, he was going back to fresh water. It was pretty cool running across him.
The other really cool thing was that we constantly saw little things jumping in the water. When Will asked, we found out they were little fish and shrimp. One of the shrimps actually jumped into Bill and Madison's kayak with them, and Bill got hit with a shrimp. Madison thought it was hilarious. 🙂
Our trip ended up being close to 3 hours. In trying to keep my camera dry, I ended up not taking as many pictures as I would like. That being said, I think I still got some pretty good shots. We ended up kayaking almost 5 miles! I definitely felt it the next day too!
If you want a great time in Myrtle Beach, I highly recommend Black River Outdoors. It is not your run of the mill tourist thing to do which is what makes it so great. You get to enjoy nature and enjoy the creatures that live in Myrtle Beach. This kayak tour was one of Bill's favorite things we did. This is an adventure we'll never forget!
Have you been on kayak tour before? What part of our trip would you have enjoyed?
That sounds like fun! I kayak off of Cape Cod all the time!
I’ve never been to Cape Cod but it looks like fun!
I have never been on a kayak trip with my kids did one in Hawaii on my hneymoon though Always nice to know there are trips that will take younger kids.
seriously looks like so much fun! i would love to do this with my family!
Looks like an amazing time and what wonderful up close wildlife. I admit I would be scared of the alligators!
I love Kayak tours. I went with my hubby and it was so much fun. I love everything about Myrtle Beach. I have never been kayking there. I will try it next year
My husband and I used to kayak together frequently, but we’ve never been with the kids. I’m sure that they would absolutely love it! And now that they are old enough to help paddle, I wouldn’t mind having them with me!
I haven’t been kayaking in years but would love to do it someday with my family! Love your photos!
It’s so pretty over there and looks like your family had a fantastic time!
Wow what awesome sights. This looks like a fun trip.
I have never been on a Kayak tour before but this looks amazing and something my family would really enjoy! How cool to spot an alligator, especially since he wasn’t supposed to be there and good thing he did not get too close…
I love to kayak! What a great way to learn more about Myrtle Beach! I went canoeing with my daughter this past week and we had a great time, but after seven miles, our arms were beginning to feel the strain.
Looks like such a fun trip. I have never been in a kayak. I have canoed quite a bit but never a kayak.
We’ve been talking about going to Myrtle Beach. Seems like such a great family trip. If we go, I am adding this to our list!
Beautiful pics! Kayaking is one of those things that looks so amazing to me but when I tried it I didn’t realize what hard work it was. Quite a workout! More work than it looks like!
I live in a beach town and kayak often to islands in the river. There is a kayak tour in my hometown that I want to do. They paddle to an island at night during the full moon! It sounds fun!
I went kayaking once and had SUCH a good time. But OMG the next day I thought I was going to die LOL I was SO SORE!! It was hysterical – I was a mess.
Those crabs are so cute!!
Kayaking is pion my bucket list to do! When my kids are older I will have to plan a trip God willing!
You know I have NEVER been Kayaking??? I know, sad; right? I totally need to check this out. Sounds like a great time. Thanks for sharing.
Myrtle Beach has always been on my must-see list for summer vacation. I hope we can make it there in the next year or two!
I’ve never been to Mrytle Beach but it’s on my list. Thanks for sharing. Made me want to visit there even more.
This looks like fun. However, I probably would have gotten all of the way there and chickened out.
What fun, I love to kayak. This looks like a great area for a kayak.
What an amazing experience! It’s just beautiful out there!
This looks like so much fun. I wish that I had known about this place when we went to Myrtle Beach earlier this summer. We will have to check it out next summer.
I’d be nervous I was going to tip over, but I’d still give it a try. It sounds like what you’d see would be worth it.
What a fun outing! We’d love to do that. When my kids are a bit older we will be buying kayaks. I can’t wait. There is a lot of great places to explore in the Puget Sound here in Washington.
It looks like you guys had a really fun time! I have always wanted to go kayaking!
This looks like an amazing family trip! 🙂
I have never gone kayaking even though it looks like great fun. Maybe one day, I throw on my gear and go for it. :-))
Every freshwater in Fl typically has a gator in it and that’s why I haven’t gone kayaking lol. It looks like a great experience though.
You got some great shots! What a fun time, I’d love to do this with my family.
Our family loves kayaking trips. We took a nice tour when we were in the Outer Banks the last time. Very nice way to see an area most don’t get to see.
What a great vacation, and great photos! Kayaking is fantastic.
Laughing along with Madison that is hilarious. Glad you didn’t get suck in with the mud. What an amazing experience with the family.
I have to learn to swim this fall but I def want to go kayaking. That’s just one of those things that on my bucket list.
Going kayaking is on my list of things to do in life. It looks like you had an amazing time. Now, once I get over my fear of tipping over I’ll give Black River Outdoors a call 🙂 .