[caption id="attachment_96111" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Photo by Molly Winans[/caption]
With more than 100 creeks and rivers flowing into the Chesapeake Bay, there are plenty of places where paddlers can experience the history of the waterways firsthand. Here are a few places around the Bay that offer kayak tours and rentals:
Annapolis
Annapolis Canoe and Kayak offers rentals and demos directly across from Ego Alley on Spa Creek. They also sell used kayaks, so you could pick one out to make your very own.
Kayak Annapolis runs tours and rentals out of Truxton Park where you can enjoy a laidback tour of Annapolis’s historic harbor and the outskirts of the Naval Academy, finding spots that even the locals don’t know about.
North of Annapolis
There are plenty of guided tours north in Havre de Grace and near Conowingo Lake. Kayaking Made Ez takes trips around Furnace Bay, Principio Creek, and the Susquehanna River. They offer both tours for wildlife viewing and learning about the history of Havre de Grace.
South of Annapolis
Chesapeake Kayak Adventures runs rentals and tours in Solomons. These tours follow the shoreline of the harbor and Back Creek, spanning just over seven miles, and guides point out the wildlife living on the creek.
The Smithsonian Environmental Research Center hosts tours and rentals for the Rhode River. They offer self-guided tours down designated water trails, and guided canoe tours on Saturday through the Muddy Creek River. Paddlers can also bring their own boats and explore the water themselves.
Eastern Shore
The Sultana Education Foundation offers public tours out of Chestertown for viewing blue herons, turtles, or waterfowl. Take their winery excursion, which starts with a paddle on the Sassafrass River and ends with a tour of a local winery. The foundation also hosts tours around Mount Harmon, during the full moon, and when the lotuses bloom between July and August.
St. Michaels is home to Shore Pedal and Paddle. They have rentals for kayaks, SUPs, and bikes. There are designated water trails with no tour guide, so you can set your own pace. This is a great option for someone who is just looking for a good paddle. If you have a group of paddlers, go on a scavenger hunt, hold a relay race, or even play poker at set destinations along the trail.
One of the best places to paddle on the Eastern Shore is Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Located in Cambridge, Blackwater offers rentals, tours, and a launch if you bring your own kayak. The tours last about two hours, and your guide will point out the Bald Eagles native to the area. With nothing separating you from the shore but thick, green lily pads, Blackwater can become your own secret sanctuary.
