Sea kayaking on the East Coast in March can be tricky. Early spring months can be reminiscent of winter with temps hovering in the 40 to 50s, with a nor聮easter arriving at a moments notice. But if you聮re prepared for the foul weather and up for the adventure, paradise awaits. Scenic spots along the Atlantic shoreline offer world-class sea kayaking as well as some pretty spectacular campsites.
Acadia National Park's rocky coastline, Maine
Maine’s Acadia National Park—beautiful, and likely brisk in springWith 200 miles of narrow barrier islands lining half of its coastline, North Carolina is one of the East Coast聮s premier spots for sea kayaking. Paddlers will find moderate temps in March, ranging between 40 and 60 degrees聴perfect for daytime exploration of quiet marshes and estuaries, as well as islands with year-round camping. Rent a kayak at in Swansboro and pick their well-paddled brains about a route to Bear and Huggins islands. Accessible only by passenger ferry or private boat, 892-acre Bear Island, and lays claim to one of the state聮s prime aquatic attractions, . Three and a half miles long and less than a mile wide, the island is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and salt marshes, estuarine creeks, and the Intracoastal Waterway to the north. Home to thousands of coastal seabirds such as herons and egrets, bottlenose dolphins are also a common kayaker聮s companion. Huggins Island is just east of Bear and visible from downtown Swansboro.
For one of the East Coast聮s most diverse sea kayaking adventures, visit Maine聮s Mount Desert Island. Home to , the island covers 108 square miles聴the largest off the coast of Maine. Take Route 1A east from Bangor to Ellsworth, and then Route 3 to Mount Desert Island. Head to Somesville in the center of the island on the north end of Somes Sound. Rent a kayak at and explore the sound, or paddle south, where you聮ll find Greening Island, Sutton Island, Cranberry Isles, and the gateway to the Atlantic. Follow the southern shore of Mount Desert, heading east to Otter Cove, which adjacent to Blackwoods Camprground, the only campground open in Acadia National Park in the winter (through March 31). Camping is free; just make sure you get a permit from park HQ just east of Bar Harbor. With over four harbors and six islands on the southern half of the island, there are plenty of inlets and coastal crevices to explore. But be prepared for cooler weather. Average highs in March hang around 40 degrees, and sometimes there can be a late snowfall. That said, once you聮ve returned to Somesville, you can warm yourself in Bar Harbor with wood-fired pizza at Geddy聮s or elbow up at the Atlantic Brewing Company or Lompoc Café and Brewpub. Shack up for the night at the on Main Street. Starting at just $20 per night you聮ll get a warm bed and a roof over your head in some pretty squeaky clean accommodations.
But if you long for warmer waters, the recent plunge in airfare could work to your favor. For example, flights from Little Rock to San Diego can be had for under $300聴putting warmer waters within your budget. One you get there, hook up with . They offer weekly kayak rentals for just $200, so you can easily tour from Mission Bay to San Diego Bay for just $55, or navigate your way south along the cost to Baja, where you聮ll find rocky cliffs, towering caves, and narrow crevices. You might even meet up with a grey whale or two. Once you聮re back in U.S. territory, make your way up to near Cardiff-by-the-Sea via the and claim your campsite. Starting at just $20, the 171 campsites even offer Wi-Fi. After catching their morning waves, you聮ll find surfers hanging out at Pipes, a local breakfast hangout with freshly made breakfast burritos with avocado and freshly squeezed orange juice.
聳Amy A. Clark