| Cape Cod kayaking is a wonderful way to spend time | | | | device (PFD) is an absolutely essential piece of |
| on the waters of the Cape without having to incur the | | | | equipment for all Cape Cod kayakers. Massachusetts |
| cost and hard work that goes into owning a boat. With | | | | law requires that a PFD must be worn (yes, actually |
| a kayak you don't need to pay for fuel or mooring | | | | worn) by each occupant of a kayak between |
| fees, you don't have to search high and low for a | | | | September 15 and May 15, and the US Coast Guard |
| suitable boat ramp whenever you want to put it in the | | | | mandates that one for each occupant must be at |
| water, and you don't have to worry about where to | | | | least on board at all times throughout the year. Buy |
| store it in the winter. And on Cape Cod, you don't even | | | | one, wear one, and never go kayaking without one. It's |
| need to own it, with dozens of locations all along the | | | | pretty simple really, when you put it like that. |
| Cape willing to rent you a kayak by the hour, by the | | | | 4. Dress for the Water Temperature, Not the Air |
| day or by the week. With over 600 miles of coastline, | | | | Temperature A beautiful sunny day on Cape Cod |
| more than 350 freshwater ponds and endless miles of | | | | might still mean you are paddling in 45 degree water. I |
| marshes, inlets and tidal rivers, there is certainly no | | | | have jumped in to Scorton Creek in East Sandwich |
| shortage of wonderful places to enjoy all kinds of | | | | many times, for instance, and I am still shocked how |
| Cape Cod kayaking experiences. Here are five tips to | | | | cold the temperature is, even in July. If your Cape Cod |
| help you enjoy your Cape Cod kayaking trip to the full. | | | | kayaking trip takes place in either the spring or fall |
| 1. Stick to Ponds, Marshes and Rivers If you're not a | | | | (highly recommended, by the way, as the crowds thin |
| very experienced kayaker, we recommend sticking to | | | | considerably at that time of year), a t-shirt and a pair |
| the ponds, marshes and tidal rivers. Ocean kayaking is | | | | of shorts will leave you quite chilly, even if the weather |
| not for the feint of heart. Even in the summer months, | | | | is lovely. |
| when the sea is calmer, the wakes of countless | | | | 5. Check Out These Beautiful Cape Cod Kayaking |
| speedboats can easily swamp a low-lying kayak. It | | | | Areas Scorton Creek in East Sandwich is our local |
| can offer a great workout if you're in good shape, but | | | | favorite, since it's just a few miles from our home and |
| it can also possibly be a real problem if you get caught | | | | offers crystal clear waters and views of crabs, snails |
| in an ebbing tide and don't have the strength to paddle | | | | and even the occasional sea bass. Mashpee River |
| back in. | | | | offers a chance to see kingfishers, great blue herons, |
| 2. Watch the Tides Unless you're kayaking in a pond, | | | | and osprey, while Grand Island, nestled between |
| tides will always be a major consideration, and all | | | | Osterville and Cotuit, offers spectacular views of the |
| successful Cape Cod kayaking trips should begin with | | | | mansions and gardens of some of Cape Cod's |
| a look at the local tide charts to determine both when | | | | wealthiest residents. Nauset Marsh in Eastham is within |
| is the best time of day to set out and when to begin | | | | the Cape Cod National Seashore and offers shallow |
| your return journey. Some of the tidal rivers in these | | | | saltwater streams that are ideal for bird watching and |
| parts empty out very quickly when the tide goes out. | | | | otter-spotting. You may even catch a glimpse of a |
| Water levels can drop by as much as two feet in less | | | | seal. Finally, Cliff Pond in Nickerson State Park in |
| than an hour, and many novice Cape Cod kayakers | | | | Brewster offers the calmest waters and is one |
| have found themselves grounded on a mudflat, unable | | | | location where there is no need to worry about tides. |
| to move for several hours until the tide came back in | | | | There are lots of places to land, and you can even |
| to lift them out of the mud. | | | | take a hike on one of the park's many trails. |
| 3. Essential Safety Equipment A personal floatation | | | | |