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Explore Shark’s Tooth Island: A Kayaking Adventure to Discover Fossils and Wildlife Near Wilmington, NC - Wilmington

Explore Shark’s Tooth Island: A Kayaking Adventure to Discover Fossils and Wildlife Near Wilmington, NC

Wilmingtoneasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

3 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for all fitness levels; basic paddling ability helps but beginners welcomed

Overview

Kayak through calm salt marshes near Wilmington, NC, while searching for ancient shark teeth and spotting abundant wildlife. This easy 3-hour guided tour offers family-friendly fun and a unique glimpse into coastal history and ecology.

Wilmington, North Carolina

Shark's Tooth Island Salt Marsh Tour

2.5-3 Hours • Explore the salt marshes as well as a stop to look for fossils and teeth

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About This Adventure

Embark on an unforgettable 2.5-3 hour kayak adventure exploring the unique Shark's Tooth Island and its neighboring gems. Search for real shark teeth and fossils while enjoying calm waters, perfect for all skill levels. With expert guidance, you'll discover the beauty of the Cape Fear River and its hidden treasures.

Explore by foot and kayak the tiny, unique islands of Shark's Tooth Island, Keg Island and the Dot Islands

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

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, Keg Island, and a few of the dot islands nearby.

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 lefthand side. We will be right there on the righthand side
  • MEET UP SPOT: Once parked on the left, walk to the righthand side, 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. Some of the time is spent looking for teeth and fossils, beach combing on the tiny island####

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. Some of the time is spent looking for teeth and fossils, beach combing on the tiny islands and sandbars. If time permits, we paddle along the salt marsh and shores of the tiny Dot Islands right nearby.

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, drybas and sandbars. If time permits, we paddle along the salt marsh and shores of the tiny Dot Islands right nearby.

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.

Adventure Tips

Bring a waterproof bag

Keep your belongings dry during the kayak tour with a water-resistant dry bag.

Wear sun protection

Apply sunscreen and consider a hat to protect yourself from strong coastal sun exposure.

Stay hydrated

Carry water and drink regularly to stay energized in the salt marsh environment.

Paddle at a steady pace

Maintain a relaxed but consistent rhythm to enjoy wildlife sightings and fossil hunting stops.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Osprey
  • River otter

History

The salt marshes of this region have preserved fossils for millions of years, offering insights into prehistoric marine life.

Conservation

Kayak Carolina follows leave-no-trace principles to protect the sensitive estuarine environment and supports local conservation efforts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Kayak paddle

Essential

Necessary for navigating the waterways and exploring the marsh.

Dry bag

Essential

Protects personal items from water during kayaking.

Lightweight, quick-dry clothing

Essential

spring specific

Sun hat

Essential

Keeps your face shaded under direct sun during the trip.

summer specific