Look for shark's teeth, fossils and more on this unique, tiny island.

Duration

2.5-3 Hours

Prices

$75 per person

Group Rates (automatically calculates upon booking)

• 10-14pp $68pp
• 15-19pp $65pp
• 20-24pp $62pp
• 25-29pp $60pp
• 30-34pp $58pp

About this Tour

No experience is necessary. Beginners and First-timers welcome. Small group size.

Search for real sharks teeth and fossils on a kayak tour at Sharks Tooth Island! This small island in the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina, is one of the best places to search for real shark teeth, fossils, and similar artifacts! Located between Carolina Beach and Wilmington, North Carolina, this island on the river holds some of the coolest natural artifacts you’ll find in the area. Kayaking in this area of the Cape Fear River is great for kayakers of all ages because it’s relatively shallow waters, a light paddle, and we stop and get out on foot on Sharks Tooth Island and the sandbar of Keg Island. It is a 10-15 minute paddle to Shark's Tooth Island and then a 5-10 minute paddle to the sandbar of Keg Island. The majority of the time is spent on land, looking for fossils and teeth, beachcombing on this unique tiny island. (For a bit more onwater exploration, please see our Shark's Tooth Salt Marsh tour).

Nature Experiences

On this tour, you'll paddle along some of the coolest tiny islands in the area. We'll be surrounded by the marsh and you can expect to see various critters along the way such as wading birds, fish, crabs, etc. And of course, lots of shark's tooth and fossil hunting.

Weather, 100% Guarantee

Go ahead and sign up for your desired tour and time with the assurance that if there is questionable weather that would make it not safe or enjoyable, we will reschedule you to a day or time that is convenient for you, sometimes its just a brief rain delay. We are in North Carolina where the weather (and the weather forecast) can change often. The summer weather forecast will always include a chance of thunderstorms to encompass the summer weather pattern that quite often is over quickly or may be in one spot and not the other. We watch the live radar and wind along with several other sites starting early in the morning to insure the safest onwater experience. Have additional time or days available when possible just in case for weather. If the weather does not allow for rescheduling to occur, 100% of your tour cost is refunded.

Location

• ADDRESS: Kayak Launch at Shark's Tooth Island Reserve 100 River Road Park Wilmington, NC 28412 The kayak launch is inside River Road Park. Please follow the directions as outlined below:
• PARKING: As soon as you come into the park, the restrooms are right at the entrance, make a stop there if you would like. Then pull down into the park and park anywhere on the left handside. We will be right there on the right handside
• MEET UP SPOT: Once parked on the left, walk to the right handside, we will be there to meet you in the sandy, grassy area near the huge oak tree. You meet your guide, fit pfds, get paddles and do orientation. We will then walk down to the water as a group. NOTE: We do not meet at the water first, see above.
• NOTES: Easily accessible. Conveniently located on River Road, half-way between Wilmington and Carolina Beach. The Carolina Beach Snow's Cut bridge is 5.5 miles.

Meeting Spot

IMPORTANT NOTE on our MEETING SPOT: Once you pull into the park, immediately on your right hand side are the restrooms, you can stop there first if needed. Then drive into the middle and park anywhere on the left hand side. We will be on the right hand side, in the middle of the park near the huge oak tree, in the grassy area to meet your guide, fit pfds, get paddles and do orientation. We will then walk down to the water as a group. Note: We do NOT meet you at the water first. Come up to the middle area as described above.

Distance to major destinations:

• Carolina Beach Boardwalk -- 8.1 miles (14 minutes)
• Downtown Wilmington – 10.2 miles (18 mins)
• Wrightsville Beach – 14.5 miles (28 mins)
• Airlie Gardens – 12.3 miles (22 mins)
• Jungle Rapids – 9.1 miles (17 mins)
• Masonboro Island -- 4.7 miles (12 Minutes)
• Fort Fisher Ferry Terminal (to Southport) -- 14.5 miles (25 minutes)
• NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher -- 13.7 miles (24 minutes)
• Carolina Beach State Park -- 7.2 miles (11 minutes)
• Southport Historic Riverwalk -- 39.6 miles (57 minutes)
• Oak Island -- 39.4 miles (51 minutes)
• Sunset Beach -- 55.7 miles (71 minutes)
• Topsail Beach 57.9 miles (1 hour 30 minutes)

Experience Level/Difficulty

This is a great tour for kayakers at all levels of experience. You can usually expect smooth, calm waters during this time, with shallow waters. Paddling in these waters at this time usually doesn’t require as much exertion as other times. The paddle to the island is a brief 10-15 minutes, with a stop or two of 5-10 minute paddling times. The rest of the time is spent looking for teeth and fossils, beach combing on the tiny islands and sandbars.

What to Wear/Bring/Expect

• Equipment and Guide: On our tours, you're provided a kayak, a paddle, and a life jacket per person as well as an experienced instructor and trained naturalist guide.
• Water/Electrolyte Drinks and Snack (NECESSARY IN WARMER MONTHS): Pack a small soft cooler with drinks on ice and snacks. More than one bottle/water per person is needed. Larger or multiple aluminum water bottles that stay cold also work well. In cooler months you can bring warm beverages if you like.
• Shoes: We recommend avoiding flip flops. Please wear shoes that are secured to your feet. Wear shoes and clothes that can get wet and slightly dirty.
• Clothing: Wear quick drying clothing for the temperatures of the season.
• Phones: are welcome, you can get great pictures out there, please secure them in a waterproof pouch, drybag or freezer bag.
• Sunscreen and bug spray are recommended.
• Waters: Calmer, flatter protected waterways, water levels on this tour tend to be around 6 inches to 4 feet deep with some deeper spots.
• Exploration: This is a guided tour that will include several stops where you can sight-see and go out on foot to explore.