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    1. Local experiences/
    2. Cape Charles, VA/
    3. Water Activities/
    4. Kayaking Tours/
    5. Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge and Barrier Island Tour
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    Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge and Barrier Island Tour

    Beginner-friendly paddle through marshes to Racoon Island to spot coastal wildlife

    From$61/ personincl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    Around 2 hours

    Includes

    Guide, Kayak, Life jacket

    Highlights

    Paddle sheltered coastal marsh in the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, then cross to Racoon Island to explore on foot. Glide along Raccoon Creek and look for blue crabs, fish, and seaside oysters.

    • Paddle sheltered coastal marsh in the Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
    • Glide along Raccoon Creek, habitat for crabs, fish, and oysters
    • Cross the Virginia Inside Passage to Racoon Island
    • Explore the barrier island on foot to spot local flora and fauna
    • Learn with a friendly guide, great for beginners and families
    • Use provided kayak, life jacket, and gear

    What's Included

    • Tour guide
    • Kayak
    • Life jacket
    • Required gear

    Things to know

    Start time varies with tides; your guide will confirm 1–2 days prior. No restrooms at the Wise Point Kayak Ramp. Arrive about 10 minutes before your confirmed time.

    Cancellation policy

    Full refund with 24 hours' notice. Full refund if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. No-shows are charged the full price.

    Meeting location

    Seaside of the Eastern Shore (Atlantic Coast)

    Experience provided by SouthEast Expeditions
    Experience provided by SouthEast Expeditions

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text (650) 414-7338

    Reference #RBHD55

    Adult

    $61.22

    Ages 13+

    0

    Child 12 and under (Requires Tandem w/ Adult)

    $44.52

    Ages 12 and under

    0

    *Price includes taxes and fees

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • Greetwell Approved

      This experience meets our quality and safety standards

    • Includes Concierge Support

      Our team is here to help with questions, timing, or special requests

    • Flexible Cancellation

      Plans change? Most experiences offer flexible cancellation

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    4.9 stars• 248 reviews

    Review summary

    4.9
    Excellent
    248 reviews•Google Maps

    The kayak tours to Chatham Vineyards and through the Eastern Shore wildlife refuges are clearly the stars here, with travelers raving about the unique combination of calm waters, abundant wildlife, and knowledgeable guides. Dave, the founder, gets frequent shout-outs for his expertise on local history and ecology, while guides like Leah, Nick, Robin, and Tristan earn praise for being friendly, attentive, and genuinely passionate about the area. The paddling is beginner-friendly, and families with young kids report having wonderful experiences. The vineyard tour in particular stands out as a memorable excursion that combines easy kayaking with excellent wine tasting. There are some red flags around communication and customer service that potential visitors should be aware of. Several reviewers struggled to reach the office when issues arose, with reports of unreturned calls and full voicemail boxes. One group waited 90 minutes for a no-show rental delivery, and another couldn't get a refund processed after a weather cancellation. While the actual guided tours consistently deliver great experiences, the behind-the-scenes operations seem less reliable, so booking well in advance and confirming details directly might be wise.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 4
    5/5

    My family and I have been interested in the kayak tour to Chatham Vineyards for several years and finally signed up during the week of the July 4th holiday. We ended up being the only people on the tour and had an absolute blast! The founder Dave is an amazing guide and very knowledgeable about all things Eastern Shore and wine. We enjoyed being able to taste the grapes on the vine and learn more about the process before doing a tasting. Highly recommend but call ahead to confirm whether you will be using a double kayak or single kayak... I was not prepared to kayak on my own and struggled to keep it moving a few times. 😅 Amazing experience overall. We look forward to doing it again in the future!

    Photo of Mary Jo Rohrer

    Mary Jo Rohrer

    July 8, 2025

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    My family and I have been interested in the kayak tour to Chatham Vineyards for several years and finally signed up during the week of the July 4th holiday. We ended up being the only people on the tour and had an absolute blast! The founder Dave is an amazing guide and very knowledgeable about all things Eastern Shore and wine. We enjoyed being able to taste the grapes on the vine and learn more about the process before doing a tasting. Highly recommend but call ahead to confirm whether you will be using a double kayak or single kayak... I was not prepared to kayak on my own and struggled to keep it moving a few times. 😅 Amazing experience overall. We look forward to doing it again in the future!

    Photo of Mary Jo Rohrer

    Mary Jo Rohrer

    July 8, 2025

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