Justin and Laurie, the husband-and-wife duo behind J & L Kayaking, have been guiding guests through North Myrtle Beach’s tranquil marshes since 2009. As veterans and ACA-certified instructors, they personally lead every outing, co...
Justin and Laurie run a welcoming kayaking operation that consistently delivers memorable marsh and island tours. Their guides, including Justin, Clark, Diego, and Laurie, are praised for being knowledgeable about local wildlife and sharing fascinating details about birds, crabs, horseshoe crabs, and other creatures along the way. The Waties Island trips are particularly popular, offering beautiful scenery, a chance to explore a private beach, and interesting stops like the "oyster wall." Twilight paddles add a special touch with gorgeous sunsets and bioluminescent algae displays. The logistics are hassle-free. They provide quality kayaks and life vests, include shuttle service to the launch point, and handle rescheduling gracefully when weather doesn't cooperate. Tours typically last about 2.5 hours with time to swim, shell, or explore the island. First-timers feel comfortable with the patient instruction, and repeat customers keep coming back year after year. One reviewer mentioned a guide with poor English and vague instructions that led to minor navigation issues, but this seems to be an isolated experience amid overwhelmingly positive feedback about the personable, informative guides who make the trips both educational and fun.
My wife and I had an amazing time on the water during our tour. Our guide Justin has a fantastic personality, and was very knowledgeable about the local ecosystems and conservation efforts. Our other guide Laurie was very thoughtful, even offering to take anniversary photos for us during our sunset trip to Waties Island. The experience was unforgettable and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a relaxing time with good scenery. A special thank you to Carl!
Brian
May 22, 2026
My wife and I had an amazing time on the water during our tour. Our guide Justin has a fantastic personality, and was very knowledgeable about the local ecosystems and conservation efforts. Our other guide Laurie was very thoughtful, even offering to take anniversary photos for us during our sunset trip to Waties Island. The experience was unforgettable and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a relaxing time with good scenery. A special thank you to Carl!
Brian
May 22, 2026