Kayak Tours & Trips

Eastern Shore Paddling Trip

Chincoteague, VA - Sat., April 21 - Tues., April 24, 2012

Kayak tour with Shank’s Mare as we journey south on the Eastern Shore of the Cheasapeake Bay. We have a multitude of kayak trails to explore at each of our destinations. The trip offers paddling through meandering marshes, winding creeks and scenic bays where wildlife abounds. Included in the trip fee is lodging, Shank’s Mare’s delicious food, paddle tours and guide. Crisfield & Janes Island accommodations are rustic but comfortable cabins with indoor plumbing. Chincoteague accommodation is in a very comfortable beach house on Oyster Bay.

Call or email for a complete trip sheet and pricing. Sign up early as these trips are very popular!

Call 717-252-1616 to pre-register. Be sure to book early!

Trips and tours from the Susquehanna River to the Chesapeake Bay.

Explore the Susquehanna and Beyond

with Shank’s Mare

We offer a variety of guided paddle tours at various skill levels. Spend a day discovering something unique about the Susquehanna River and area streams. Our experienced guides will not only lead you safely through your tour but also give you interesting information about the natural features, cultural or historical highlights of the area. On several of our tours, we invite various experts along to add to your experience. Our Paddle Day Tours feature a satisfying lunch that you will take along in your kayaks.

Rental Kayaks for Paddle Day Tours - $35/Single Kayak; $40/Double Kayak

We have dates for our 2012 Spring Kayak Trips.

Be sure to call us for a trip sheet on this year’s Chincoteague trip.

GO PLAY OUTSIDE

Wrightsville to Long Level – the SusquehannaCanal Footprint

Sat. June 9, 2012 or Mon. June 18, 2012, 10am-3pm

This paddle follows the footprint of the SusquehannaCanal where you can see the remnants of stone walls and canal ways. Depending on conditions we’ll swing through the Conejohela Flats as we head down to Shank’s Mare.

Fee includes Shuttle, Tour & Lunch-Members $50/Person; Non-Members $55/Person

River Snorkeling Paddle Day Tour

Saturday, June 23, 2012, 10am-3pm

Special Tour Preview, Wed., May 16, 2012, 6:30-7:30pm (free)

Naturalist and educator Keith Williams will help lead this unique kayak tour. You’ll paddle downstream and visit two different creeks where you will don snorkeling equipment and discover the amazing life that lies just below the surface, and how important it is to preserve and protect it. Learn more at the tour preview in May.

Fee includes Snorkeling Gear, Tour, Guides & Lunch-Members $60, Non-Member $66

Lock 15 Paddle Day Tour – A Day through the Rocks

Saturday July 21, 2012, 10am-3pm

The rock formations in this area of the river are still a mystery to geologists. Spend the day paddling this scenic area. As you meander through the unique formations, you may stop to take a dip, use your camera to capture the awesome landscape, and enjoy a picnic lunch during your tour.

Fee includes Shuttle, Tour & Lunch-Members $55/Person; Non-Members $60/Person

Native American Rock Art Tour

Saturdays, July 14, 2012 or August 11, 2012 or September 29, 2012, 10am-4pm

Area archeologist Paul Nevin will assist us on this

very popular day tour to the LakeAldred area

of the river that features centuries old Native

American Rock Art. Discover the art etched into

these rocks in the middle of the river, and learn

the spiritual theories of why it is there. Paul is a

pleasure to listen to as he guides you to these amazing

artifacts. This paddle tour requires a fair amount

of river paddling and participants will need some

agility to climb out of kayaks and up on the rocks.

Fee includes Shuttle, Guide, Tour & Lunch –

Members $60/Person, Non-Members $66/Person

Conejohela Flats Birding Tour

Saturday, August 18, 2012, 10am-3pm

Our guest guide and avid birder, Deuane Hoffman will

lead this paddle tour to the Flats located directly across the

river from Shank’s Mare. No matter how many times you may have visited the Flats, Deuane will show you some birds you probably never noticed before. This is a prime time for migratory shore birds along with bald eagles, osprey, great blue heron and egrets. Bring binoculars and field guides. This tour is suitable for beginners though you will be paddling 4 miles or more.

Fee includes Guide, Tour & Lunch – Members $50/Person; Non-Members $55/Person

Sights & Sounds of the Susquehanna Paddle Tours

Fridays – June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, or October 12, 2012, 3:30-5:30pm

Kick off work early and start your weekend at Shank’s Mare. Begin with a brief kayak orientation. Then enjoy a guided paddle tour on the Susquehanna with our experienced staff. Following your paddle tour, grab some food at the Lock 2 Café, relax on the lawn and enjoy live music set up on Shank’s Mare’s front porch. Bands go from country and bluegrass to rock and indie. Paddle tours are suitable for beginners (children 8 years and up must be accompanied by an adult).

Fee includes Guide, Tour, Double Kayak & Live Music – Members $39/Person, N-M $43/Person

Paul Nevin shows paddlers the centuries old carvings on Big Indian Rock.