Explore the best of Cape Cod by kayak in 2009 – much of Nauset Marsh's and Pleasant Bay's allure comes form the natural beauty and its unique location within the Cape Cod National Seashore. Our kayak tours are led by owner/guides, permitted outfitters within the seashore marshes and bays.

What Our Guests Said in 2008 ~
Our guests come from all over the world. In 2008, 2600 people participated in our kayak tours. They represented 8 countries, and 32 states.

"Paddling close to the seals was the highlight of our Cape Cod vacation"~ KM, Ma.

"The half day trip was of top quality. The kayaks were in excellent shape. The guides are very experienced and patient." ~ LF, Ct.

""I was very impressed with your knowledge of Nauset Marsh. It is an awesome place to paddle" ~ CO, Mn.

"Dick, you are like Indiana Jones, but in a straw hat" ~ KB, NY.

Half day trips are excellent for those short on time or tentative about trying kayaking. We offer daily half day kayak tours both in the morning and the afternoon. Since 1998, our professional guides have introduced thousands each season to kayaking in a safe, fun, and comfortable manner. Almost anyone can do kayaking. We offer daily half day kayak tours both in the morning and the afternoon. Each daily kayak tour is designed with safety considerations. Our credentials - a perfect mixture of ACA certified kayak instructors, a licensed earth science teacher, and a family of guides who spend 280+ days on our waters in order to know just where each migratory flock of shorebird is resting, where the herds of seals may be swimming, and where local winds are blowing.

Daily Kayak Tours

Sample 2009 schedule:
OspreySeaKayak.com

May 1 Herring River
May 6 The River, Orleans
May 12 AM Nauset Marsh             PM Chatham 
May 13 Pleasant Bay
May 18 Salt Pond, CCNS
May 19 Strong Island
May 20 Oyster River
May 25 Boat Meadow
May 26 Nauset Marsh
May 27 Pleasant Bay
May 28 Strong Island
May 29 Meetinghouse
            Pond
May 30 Herring River

For a daily schedule of 2009,
June, July, August, Sept
dhilmer@explorecapecod.com

Welcome from the owners
Linda and Dick Hilmer

You'll find us at either Nauset Marsh or Pleasant Bay, don't hesitate to stop by and say hi.

Read more about the guides.

Please select an article to view.

• Cape Cod Times - Kayak demonstration gives safety tips
• Cape Codder - Dick Hilmer gives a kayak lesson to a group of girl scouts from Pennsylvania.
• Cape Cod Times - Paddlers, heed the cold
• Cape Codder - A kayaking we go!
• Cape Codder - Paddling into knowledge
• Cape Cod Times - Cold-air conditioning

Seal Tours July and August

Launch into Nauset Marsh and paddle towards the outer beach where the seals gather. We may encounter harbor seals and grey seals bobbing in the water and view shorebirds; including a variety of terns, sandpipers, oyster catchers, plovers and our resident ospreys.
Note: with the pursuit and viewing of wildlife, sightings can never be guaranteed. Seals come and go with the tide and the schools of fish moving through the marsh towards the ocean. Therefore, we can not and do not guarantee that we will encounter seals. But if anyone will find them if they are around, we will!

“You do not merely want to
be considered just the best
of the best. You want to be
considered the only ones
who do what you do”
- Jerry Garcia 

The Explore Cape Cod Educational Program
introduces students to the excitement of kayaking and the wonder of the natural world. Through investigations on salt marsh habitats, students paddle to barrier beach environments, where lesson plans have been developed in accordance with the National Standards of Science and Technology.

"In every out thrust headland, in every curving beach, in every grain of sand there is the story of the earth"
- Rachel Carson

Girl Scouts
Hostelling
Pole, Paddle and
We Don't Roll - IP
Shore to Sea - IP
Studio 2B - Charms
Makin' Waves
Parks Matter

Boy Scouts
Nickerson State Park
Geology-Merit Badge
Birding-Merit Badge
Water safety-Merit Badge

For Recreation, Team Building, Excitement of trying something new.

Cost

$39 per person sea-touring tandem includes all equipment, instruction and guide service.
$49 per person sea-touring solo kayak (chosen to match your body size and ability).

Youth organizations and groups of 8 or more are $30 and under per person, depending upon how large the group and how long the tour. Most youth paddles are three hours in length. CancellationPolicy: Half day trips have a 48 hour cancellation policy. A credit card is required to reserve your spot.

Rain policy: We do not consider your vacation to be an extreme sporting event. We believe in "glide and relax" kayaking. We believe your kayaking adventure is about communing with nature and for us, passing along our extensive knowledge of the area. Sea kayaking can be a very enjoyable activity in the rain. Showery weather is commin to Cape Cod coastal environs and usually means that there will be less wind. Our policy is not to cancel for rain, however should there be driving rain and wind we will likely cancel. In addition you will be snugly cocooned by your life jacket, and we bring lots of extra clothing just in case.

For more information on how you can book an individual outing, a group or scout tour, a school environmental education program, or a team building activity:

contact Dick Hilmer directly at dhilmer@explorecapecod.com.
Because we spend so much time on the water, email correspondences work best.