What is included in the tour price?

The tour price includes a kayak, paddle, life jacket, and a trained guide who provides safety and nature interpretation.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, children aged 4 and older can participate but must ride tandem kayaks with an adult if under 14.

Is lunch provided on the trip?

No, participants need to bring their own packed lunch, snacks, and drinks for the island stop.

What kind of clothing should I wear?

Wear clothes suitable for getting wet and bring water shoes; a hat and sunscreen are also recommended.

Are there any weight limits?

Yes, single kayaks have a 325-lb max, tandems 550 lbs, canoes 700 lbs, and paddleboards 250 lbs.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to weather?

If Nature Adventures Outfitters cancels due to weather, you will receive a full refund.

Explore Cat Island: Wando River Kayak Adventure and Fossil Hunting in South Carolina

Tucked away in the tidal arms of the upper Wando River, Cat Island offers an immersive escape into South Carolina’s unique coastal ecosystem. This 4.5-hour kayak trip with Nature Adventure Outfitters starts at the Paradise Island Boat Landing in Awendaw, where adventurers gear up for a scenic paddle across winding waterways framed by salt marshes and maritime forests. The journey itself unfolds with quiet wildlife observation and a guide’s stories revealing the rich natural and cultural heritage of the area.

Cat Island is prized for its sandy beach, a rare feature amid South Carolina’s saltwater environments, perfect for a relaxing break away from the city. Shorebirds and diverse coastal flora create a living backdrop as visitors explore by foot. But the real draw is the chance to hunt for fossils—chiefly fossilized shark teeth—embedded along the beach's edge. These remnants of prehistoric seas tell a timeless story, making the fossil hunt a thrilling, hands-on connection to deep history.

Once on the island, kayakers can swim, relax, and join a nature walk led by the guide, who points out the island’s distinctive maritime forest ecosystem—home to live oaks and palmettos. The tidal rhythms dictate the schedule, with the group waiting on shore to catch the outgoing tide for the return paddle. This ebb and flow add a dynamic element to the adventure, making each visit uniquely tied to natural cycles.

Nature Adventure Outfitters is well regarded for its educational approach and commitment to safety, providing all participants with kayaks, life jackets, and paddles, plus expert guidance throughout. The company’s operation enriches Awendaw’s outdoor recreation scene by offering authentic, low-impact experiences that showcase the Wando River’s biodiversity and coastal history.

With Awendaw being the closest town, travelers can combine this trip with local dining and southern hospitality to round out their visit. The Wando River corridor itself offers a compelling mix of serene paddling and discovery, making Cat Island a standout destination within South Carolina’s coastal adventurescape.

Whether you’re a family looking for a nature outing, a fossil enthusiast craving a treasure hunt, or a paddler seeking peaceful waterways, this kayak excursion holds a promise of serene beauty and intriguing history you won’t find anywhere else along the coast.

About Nature Adventures Outfitters

Nature Adventures Outfitters is a guided outdoor outfitter based in McClellanville, South Carolina. The company organizes kayak tours and guided hikes across nearby coastal and forested areas, including the Wambaw Creek Wilderness Area, Blackwater Creek in the Francis Marion National Forest, Wadboo Creek, Huger Creek on the Cooper River, Cat Island in the Wando River, and routes through the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge. Trips range from two-hour paddles to extended 4.5-hour island excursions, plus sunset kayak experiences with small groups, complimentary photos, and narrated information about the local ecosystem.

Guided hikes visit sections of the Palmetto Trail such as the Awendaw Passage, Ion Swamp Trail originating at the Sewee Visitor Center, and scenic longleaf pine and marsh habitats. Several tours highlight regional history and archaeology, including views of former plantations, rice canals, and Sewee Indian ruins, while wildlife-focused trips emphasize birding, dolphin sightings, and opportunities to find fossils such as shark teeth. Departure and meeting locations center on McClellanville, with access to Jeremy Creek and local launch points adjacent to protected marshes.

The operation emphasizes safe, interpretive outdoor experiences across tidal creeks, blackwater streams, limestone cliffs, and maritime forests. Nature Adventures Outfitters provides trip options that connect visitors to Lowcountry landscapes, regional history, and coastal wildlife while operating from the McClellanville area. Popular departures include kayak routes past McClellanville shrimp boats, coastal homes, and marsh channels where visitors commonly see dolphins, coastal birds, and other estuarine species, often finishing at scenic sunset viewpoints such as Jeremy Creek and family outings.