Are you ready to explore the Carolina coast like never before by renting a kayak and going on a journey on the water? Renting a kayak in Wilmington, Carolina Beach, and surrounding areas is a great way to explore the most amazing places on the coast. If you’re planning to go on a kayaking journey solo or with only a few friends, renting a kayak is a great option. In this article, we’ll go over the best locations to rent a kayak, how to find launch points when renting a kayak, and the top 5 things you need to take on your kayak journey.
Why Rent a Kayak Instead of Buy One?
If you’re new to kayaking, renting a kayak is the best option. Buying a kayak can be an expensive investment, and if you’re not sure if kayaking is for you, it’s best to rent first. Kayaks can also be very bulky and difficult to store, so renting is a great way to try out different types of kayaks before committing to one.
Additionally, if you’re traveling to a new city, you may not have the option of bringing your kayak with you. If you already live in the area where you intend to kayak, you may not live in a home where you have space to store a kayak. In these situations, it’s great to have the option to rent a kayak or go on a kayak tour.
Where Can You Rent a Kayak?
The best place to rent a kayak is from a local business in the area that offers kayak tours. These kinds of businesses are already familiar with the best places to launch your kayak because they are on the water multiple times per day throughout the kayaking season. At Kayak Carolina, we offer kayak tours and kayak rentals to our customers. One of the great things about renting a kayak from Kayak Carolina is that we can take your kayak right to you at the place you intend to launch from.
If you’re interested in renting a kayak from us, please visit our kayak rental page here.
Where Can You Kayak with Your Kayak Rental in Wilmington, North Carolina?
There’s truly no better place to take your kayak rental than Masonboro Island in Wilmington, North Carolina. Masonboro Island is a beautiful, hidden treasure right in front of us between Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. On this tour, we paddle to the backside of Masonboro Island and then walk on a foot path over to a place where the group can go beach combing, waving, and shelling. You can expect this tour to go at a very relaxed pace with a mixture of paddling and on-foot exploration. While this tour does have a bit more paddling than other tours of ours, it’s not strenuous because the waters are very calm.
If you’re interested in learning more about our favorite kayak launch points in Wilmington, North Carolina and other spots, visit our launch points page here. If you’re planning to kayak in a place that we don’t deliver kayak rentals, please give us a call for either a special request, or a recommendation for that location at 910-458-9171.
What Should You Bring On Your Kayaking Trip?
When kayaking in Wilmington, Carolina Beach, and beyond, there are a few things you should always bring with you. If you don’t have these items in your kayak, you’ll likely regret it later! Trust us, we’ve been on the water for over 20 years, so we know exactly what you’re going to want to bring in your kayak whether you’re on a solo kayak rental trip, or on a guided group tour!
Drinking Water
Water is important for kayakers of all shapes and sizes. You need water not only because it keeps your body hydrated but also because drinking plenty of water helps prevent heat stroke while kayaking during hot summer days. Bring enough water for each person on your kayak journey, and be sure to throw it away in a designated trash receptacle when you return. Never leave trash behind on your kayak journey.
Closed-Toe Shoes
Even if you’re a seasoned kayaker, there’s nothing worse than stepping into the water and cutting your foot on an oyster or seashell. There are a LOT of oysters in the area in eastern North Carolina, so we recommend that you always have closed-toe shoes. You can purchase water shoes at any sports or water sports store in the area. Flip flops are not ideal, as they will certainly slip off when getting stuck in the sandy mud in the water.
Sunscreen
It’s no secret that kayaking can often lead to a sunburn. In fact, kayakers are actually more likely to get a sunburn than people who are swimming in the ocean because kayakers are sitting openly under the sun for extended periods of time. We recommend sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Snacks
Kayaking in the launch points we’ve designated on our website at Kayak Carolina are usually less strenuous than other kayak locations. That being said, kayaking is still a workout! It’s a good idea to bring some snacks so that you can replenish your energy during your kayak trip. Bring along a variety of snacks, including trail mix, sandwiches, chips, and fruit. You’ll be happy you have them when the kayaking journey is longer than you expect!
Ziplock Bag / Waterproof Storage
When you’re out on your kayak journey, we’re sure you’ll want to take pictures of the beautiful scenery with your phone. You may also want to have your phone in case of an emergency situation. To protect your phone from water damage, we always recommend that you bring it in a sealed plastic bag. You can also purchase a waterproof phone case that hangs around your neck, but we have found that sealed plastic bags work just fine too!
What You Can Expect When Renting a Kayak From Kayak Carolina
If you choose to rent a kayak from Kayak Carolina, we are able to deliver your kayak to our key launch points listed on our website. Once you’re done with your kayak journey, we’ll return to pick up your kayak.
What Do You Get with a Kayak Rental at Kayak Carolina?
- A kayak
- A life vest
- A paddle
We hope that this article has given you some ideas about what to bring on your next kayaking trip in Wilmington, Carolina Beach, and beyond! Be sure to visit our kayak tour pages or our rental page to find the best kayak adventure for you!