WILMINGTON KAYAK FIELD GUIDE
Carrot Island & the Ponies Paddle — Kayaking Beaufort’s Marshes to Find Wild Horses
A 2–3 hour guided kayak tour from the Lennoxville Road Boat Launch through marshes and tidal flats around Carrot Island to spot wild horses, dolphins, and shorebirds; club membership covers the tour cost when you enter your membership number.
Carrot Island & the Ponies Paddle — Kayaking Beaufort’s Marshes to Find Wild Horses.
Paddle a calm water corridor through tidal flats and salt marshes into the Rachel Carson Reserve’s Carrot Island, where narrow channels open onto broad salt flats and the chance to see wild horses, dolphins and a wide array of shore and wading birds. The tour pairs serene coastal scenery with knowledgeable guidance, making it a compact nature-oriented outing in Beaufort, NC.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Wild horses, dolphins and shorebirds
Kayakers often encounter wild horses that have adapted to the reserve, plus dolphins, sea turtles and a variety of shore and wading birds as they move through the marsh and tidal flats.
Serene marsh channels and tidal flats
The route threads through picturesque marshes and tidal flats around Carrot Island, with calm, often low-tide waters that make for relaxed paddling and exploration breaks along sandbars and marsh edges.
Local guides and a comfortable pace
Experienced guides lead the group, share ecology and history of the area, and structure the outing with exploration stops and rest breaks suitable for paddlers of varying skill levels.
What the day feels like
What the paddle feels like
The outing is a measured 2–3 hour guided kayak journey through sheltered waters, where calm conditions and low tides typically reduce exertion. Expect a steady, exploratory rhythm: launch, paddle through marsh channels and tidal flats, pause for short walks or observation at sandbars and the island shoreline, then return to the launch.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this paddle suits — and who should rethink it.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The paddle runs about 2–3 hours. Check launch and return times when you book and allow extra time for briefing and gear fitting at the Lennoxville Road Boat Launch.
Kayak, paddle and life jacket are provided for each paid seat; bring bottled water, snacks, and wear shoes that stay on your feet and clothing that can get wet or dirty. Phones are allowed but should be secured in a Ziploc bag.
Enter your membership number when booking — club membership can cover 100% of the tour cost. Confirm minimum group requirements and watch for operator emails about trip confirmation.
A minimum of four participants is required for the club paddle to take place; organizers will notify you by email if the minimum is not met, and weather forecasts can affect whether the minimum fills.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the paddle?
The tour lasts approximately 2–3 hours.
Where do we meet?
Meeting and launch is at the Lennoxville Road Boat Launch; the paddle explores Carrot Island and surrounding marshes.
What is provided?
Each paid seat receives a kayak, paddle and life jacket; tandem kayakers receive a paddle and life jacket each.
Do I need to bring anything special?
Bring bottled water and any snacks you want. Wear shoes that are secured to your feet and clothes that can get wet; phones are allowed but should be secured in a Ziploc bag.
Is wildlife guaranteed?
No — tours focus on nature and wildlife but sightings cannot be guaranteed, though kayakers often see shore birds, wading birds, dolphins and other species.
How does the club membership work for booking?
Enter your membership number when booking; the club membership covers 100% of the tour cost for eligible bookings.
What is the minimum group size?
A minimum of four people must be signed up for the club paddle to take place; organizers will notify you via email 48 hours before if the minimum has not been filled and keep it open until 16 hours before the start.