Paddle Cape May: Guided Kayak & SUP Tours

Aqua Trails — Cape May Kayak Tours and Stand-Up Paddleboard Adventures

Aqua Trails in Cape May, New Jersey offers a diverse selection of guided kayak tours and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) tours focusing on safety, local habitat interpretation, and accessible paddling for families and beginners. Trips range from short morning SUP outings to multi-hour ecology expeditions, giving paddlers multiple ways to explore Cape May Harbor, tidal marshes, and nearby wetlands.

Popular Trips and Who They’re For

• Aqua Trails Kayak Clinic — a three-hour adult clinic teaching kayak equipment, water conditions, and essential rescue techniques. Ideal for new sea kayakers.
• Aqua Trails Kayak and Paddle Board Camp — a three-hour youth program for ages 12 to 16 covering sea kayaking, sit-on-top kayaking, and SUP with expert instructors.
• Stone Harbor Kayak Tours — two-hour-plus family outings on Thursdays and Fridays with single and tandem kayak options.
• Tidal Marsh Kayak Tour — daily 2.5-hour family paddles departing at 9:30 AM through scenic marsh waterways.
• Standup Paddleboard Tours — naturalist-guided 70–90 minute morning SUP tours starting at 8:45 AM for beginners and experienced paddlers.
• Full Moon Kayak Tour — 2.5-hour evening paddles available in solo or tandem kayaks for a unique nighttime experience.
• Belleplain Pine Barrens Ecology Kayak Tours — a 5.5-hour ecology expedition exploring interior waterways for paddlers seeking extended trips.

What to Expect

Participants receive pre-trip briefings, guided instruction, and route interpretation. Equipment choices include single and tandem kayaks and stand-up paddleboards sized to participant needs. Safety instruction features rescue technique practice in clinic and supervised guidance on tours. Naturalist elements on select tours highlight local wildlife and conservation topics.

Booking and Practical Details

• Location: Cape May, New Jersey, with routes in harbor and wetlands.
• Durations: From 70 minutes to 5.5 hours depending on trip.
• Age ranges: Youth camp for ages 12–16; family-friendly tours available.
• Scheduling: Daily options like the Tidal Marsh Tour and morning SUP tours; Stone Harbor Tours on specific weekdays.

Why Choose Aqua Trails

Aqua Trails combines hands-on instruction, naturalist-guided interpretation, and a portfolio of kayak and SUP experiences suited to different skill levels. The mix of clinics, youth camps, family tours, full-moon outings, and longer ecology excursions provides multiple ways to experience Cape May’s waterways. For accurate meeting locations, current availability, and specific age or fitness requirements, consult Aqua Trails’ reservation channels and trip descriptions before booking.

Standup Paddleboard Tours combine naturalist interpretation with physical benefits: SUP sessions improve balance and core strength while participants observe waterfowl, estuarine plants, and shoreline features. Daily morning departures make these SUP tours an accessible option for early risers.

Across multiple kayak trips, Aqua Trails uses both single and tandem kayaks to match participant preference and tandem family paddling. Stone Harbor Kayak Tours and Tidal Marsh Tours emphasize family participation with options for different ages and paddling abilities. Full Moon Kayak Tours provide evening paddling under moonlight in a 2.5‑hour format, while the Belleplain Pine Barrens Ecology Kayak Tours extend to 5.5 hours for deeper ecological exploration away from the harbor.

The Aqua Trails Kayak Clinic focuses on practical skills, covering equipment selection, reading water conditions, and hands‑on rescue techniques essential for sea kayaking confidence. The youth kayak and paddle board camp supplies age‑appropriate instruction and supervised paddling for participants aged 12 to 16 led by experienced instructors.

For clarity on meeting points, precise schedules, age limits, and booking availability, consult Aqua Trails’ reservation information online. Trip descriptions note start times such as 8:45 AM for morning SUP tours and 9:30 AM for the Tidal Marsh Tour.