Things to do / Travel Guide
Georgia and South Carolina are rife with lakes, rivers, and coastal waters perfect for dipping your oars in. Outfitters throughout the region can supply you with either a kayak or a canoe to enjoy a perfect day in some beautiful Southern scenery. Here's your chance to see moss-covered trees, and wildlife and other flora in abundance - all on Georgia's and South Carolina's lush laid-back waters.
Sea Kayaking and Canoeing on Georgia Rivers and Lakes
You and your kayak or canoe can have numerous adventures together right in the city of Atlanta, enjoying its wide range of lakes, rivers, and creeks. The Chattahoochee River flows right through the city, from northeast to southwest, and there are starting and stopping points all along the way. It's a good way to see nature in the middle of one of America's greatest cities.
Allatoona Lake, northwest of Atlanta on I-75, provides a multitude of places to embark, as does Lake Lanier. Allatoona has 270 miles of shoreline, and Lanier has an amazing 692 miles. The latter lake was where the 1996 Olympics kayaking race was held, and there are over 100 islands of varying sizes within. The most major marina on Lake Lanier is located in the city of Gainesville, on its eastern shore, but you can rent a kayak or canoe in almost any of the marinas surrounding the lake.
South of Athens via U.S. Highway 129, the Oconee River runs into Lake Oconee; due to a series of dams the river isn't as wild as it once was, making it perfect for a day of leisurely paddling. Kayaks or canoes can easily be rented in Athens, and the river itself usually has between four- to seven-foot banks.
A great river to kayak or canoe on is the Ocmulgee, which runs through Macon. The slow, wide river winds gently, for a pleasant ride surrounded by great live oaks draped with Spanish moss.
Sea Kayaking and Canoeing in the Okefenokee Swamp
Okefenokee Swamp, on Georgia's border with Florida, is a vast bog swamp, with peat 15 feet deep in some places. Prairie covers a good portion of it, but there are also forests, and expanses of lakes and islands. In many places you'll remain undecided if whether the area you are immediately passing through should be considered water or land. This means that on a kayaking trip there may not be anywhere to actually get out of your kayak - the mass you're passing might simply be too unstable for your feet.
The range of plants, trees, and aquatic and land animals and birds is stunning: The forests are often of cypress and blackgum; the prairies contain all kinds of ferns, mosses, and rushes, and water-lilies. You'll also come across carnivorous plants like the pitcher plant. There are over 400 species of animals and birds in the swamp; more than half are birds, there are 20 species of frogs and toads - each with their own unique sets of sounds, there are 16 types of salamanders; and many more animals to gawk at in amazement.
The major area for canoe/kayak rentals on the Okefenokee is the Suwanee Canal Recreation Area, on the east side of the swamp, eight miles southwest of Folkston. Go down Swamp Island Drive for nine miles and you'll reach a short wooden walkway. At the end of the walkway there's a place to rent boats and reserve tours.
Sea Kayaking and Canoeing near the Georgia Coast
Near Hazlehurst, about three hours west of Savannah, the Altamaha River begins where both the Ocmulgee and Oconee Rivers meet. This river is unobstructed by dams, allowing for strong currents and a very dense habitat of both plants and animals. The river flows for approximately 125 miles through bottomland swamps, creek tributaries, and the lower coastal plain before reaching its mouth near St. Simons Island. There are many places to rent kayaks near the Altamaha's mouth, but if you want to start near Hazlehurst you will need to bring your own kayak or canoe with you.
Near Savannah, there's a blackwater tributary of the lower Savannah River called Ebenezer Creek, which flows through a unique natural environment. The creek is only 13 miles long, but it flows by dwarf cypress and tupelo forests that are home to many kinds of animals and birds. To take advantage of this National Natural Landmark, rent your canoe or kayak in Savannah.
Sea Kayaking and Canoeing on the Georgia Coast
The Georgia coast is a beautiful place to kayak, weaving your way in and around the coastal barrier islands, and spotting the unique wildlife and flora. Amidst the maritime Spanish moss-covered forests of pine, juniper, bay, palm, and oak trees, you might see any combination of dolphins, alligators, feral pigs, raccoons, gray foxes, minks, and deer.
One of the best ways to arrive at the Cumberland Island National Seashore is by taking a kayak trip of your own down the Crooked River. This is probably the fastest route to Georgia's southernmost barrier island. Pay attention to the wind and the tides as you navigate this coastal estuary.
Most of the sea kayaking and paddling around Savannah is focused on the marshy backwaters leading to Tybee Island and its environs. Little Tybee Island is a very popular kayaking destination due to its status as a State Heritage Site; this undeveloped island provides great scenery and kayaking for people of all skill levels. There are several places on Tybee Island to book tours and/or rent kayaks.
Less than an hour from Savannah, kayakers can dip their oars in Cathead Creek just outside of Darien. This creek flows for eight miles past sweet blackgum, water tupelo, and bald cypress through undeveloped canals that pass by hundred-year-old rice farms. The best place to rent gear is either in Savannah or St. Simons Island, both about a half hour's drive from Darien.
Sea Kayaking and Canoeing around Charleston
Several outfitters around Charleston, based on Isle of Palms and Folly Beach, have kayaks and canoes available for rent. It's also possible to book an organized tour if you don't want to paddle alone. From Charleston there are plenty of places to meander through saltwater marshes to nearby barrier islands. Be aware that most open-water launches are often quite challenging because of the rough surf near Charleston Harbor. Here are a few of the popular kayaking adventures to take around Charleston:
- A trip to the Francis Marion National Forest will give you the opportunity to (safely) pass by bears, alligators, and snakes. Occasionally, loggerhead sea turtles make their way to the area, along with dolphins. The most navigated route is the Wambaw Creek Wilderness Canoe Trail, along nine miles of a tidal blackwater creek.
- A half-day trip will take you out of the Charleston Harbor past Morris Island and the historic Morris Island Lighthouse. Along the way you will pass by Fort Sumter, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired.
- Another route starts near Morris Island and the lighthouse. It becomes an open-water paddle as you head towards the Fort Moultrie Lighthouse - some of the best views of Fort Sumter are on this route.
Sea Kayaking and Canoeing around Hilton Head
Herons and osprey fly over head as you navigate the marshy backwaters off of Hilton Head Island. Head towards the put-in at Haigh Public Boat Ramp near Hilton Head's north end and then paddle your way through the creeks that surround the Pickney Island National Wildlife Refuge. This lush habitat full of maritime forests, as well as marsh and oyster beds, is perfect for bird watching.
Hilton Head and surroundings are a big kayaking destination, as you can see. If you need to rent a kayak, do so on the island; then take it to wherever you please in the environs. Nothing is so far away with a car.
A bit north of Hilton Head is another barrier island known for being the scene of various sea-life sightings from a kayak: Hunting Island. In low tide, you can get out of your kayak on the ocean side of the island and explore the sandbars. Sand dollars, hermit crabs, and starfish await.
Dolphins on your list of must-sees? Calibogue Sound, on the western side of Hilton Head Island, is known as a favorite place to spot these sea-mammals. Travel up the creeks in the area, like Broad Creek, Jarvis Creek, and Calibogue Creek, for chances to see birds, such as the ibis, several kinds of egrets, the wood stork, the pelican, and lots and lots of seagulls.
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