Welcome to the Crystal Coast of North Carolina! This region includes the barrier islands from Bogue Banks to Cape Lookout. This area of white "crystallized" sandy beach provides a wonderful environment for kayaking. The barrier islands of Bogue Banks, Shackelford Banks, and Core Banks establish the outer boundary between the Atlantic Ocean and an enormous expanse of sounds, marshlands and estuary preserves, including the Rachel Carson Estuary in Beaufort. 

The Crystal Coast environment offers an excellent opportunity to explore nature, and sea kayaking provides an environmental-friendly mode of transportation to enhance your wildlife, marine life, and shore bird observations. Paddle your kayak next to the horses grazing along Shackelford Banks or Carrot Island.... Watch dolphins playing and feeding within inches of your kayak.... See nature up-close and personal, within the unique habitats of the species that comprise this ecosystem.

 Browse through the following links to get a glimpse of the flora and fauna of this remarkable region and locate a kayaking trip that is right for you. Determine the area you wish to explore and the amount of time you want to include in your excursion. 

Spring and Fall migration seasons along the Crystal Coast provide a great time to observe our feathery friends up close and personal during a kayak tour. Our shores abound with distinctive shorebirds: from great blue herons to black-bellied plovers. Join us for one of our bird-watching kayak tours along the pristine shores and estuaries of the Crystal Coast.

A Northern Gannet takes off from his watery runway in search of "dinner" offshore from Shackelford Banks.

An Osprey is already enjoying dinner along the marshy edges of the Rachel Carson Estuary.

Can you find the Great Blue Heron???