Shark Tooth Island kayak tour: Paddle Cape Fear River

Paddle through marshlands to hunt for shark teeth on the island

A guided kayak tour of Shark Tooth Island and the Cape Fear River near Wilmington, where you paddle through protected coastal ecosystems, hunt for shells and shark teeth on the island, and watch for birds, fish and other wildlife along the way. The tour runs about two hours and includes kayak, paddle, and life vest. You choose between a single or tandem kayak at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Kayak tour and island exploration

• Check-in and safety briefing
• Launch and paddle to islands
• Explore coastal ecosystem and wildlife
• Island stops and shoreline exploration
• Return paddle to launch point

The experience

You launch from 100 River Road Park with a guide who provides all the gear (kayak, paddle and life vest) plus a quick safety briefing before you push off. The route takes you through the Cape Fear River and into the protected islands and marshlands that make up Shark Tooth Island, where the conditions and tides shape what you'll explore on any given day.

The paddle itself is the draw. You'll move through the coastal ecosystem watching for jumping fish, a range of birds and butterflies, and your guide points out the history of the surrounding area as you go. Depending on conditions, the group may stop to hunt for shells and shark teeth on the shoreline, hop between islands or explore the water's edge: the guide reads the day and adjusts accordingly. The operator doesn't guarantee shark teeth, but the journey through the river and marshlands is the real point.

After exploring, you paddle back to the launch point to finish. The whole outing takes about two hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Kayak, paddle and life vest.
• safety briefing at the start.
• a live guide in English who shares history of the area and points out wildlife.
• shell and shark tooth hunting on the island depending on conditions.

Options for this experience

2 options

Single kayak on the Shark ToothUp to 1 people · Guide in English · 21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00Kayak for one

Tandem kayak on the Shark ToothUp to 2 people · Guide in English · 21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00Kayak for two people

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day21 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 18:00

GroupUp to 12 · max 2 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Aussie Yaks

Is this one for you?Pick the single kayak to paddle independently, or choose the tandem if you want a partner to share paddling duties while you both explore Shark Tooth Island.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I bring my child on the Shark Tooth Island kayak tour?

Infants are welcome and sit on an adult's lap during the paddle. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What wildlife might I see on the Cape Fear River?

The guide keeps watch for jumping fish, birds and butterflies as you paddle through the marshlands and along the island shoreline. Sightings depend on the day and conditions, but the ecosystem supports a range of species year-round.

Do I need to choose between a single kayak and a tandem kayak before I book?

You pick your kayak type at checkout: single kayak if you paddle alone, or tandem kayak to share with another person. Both are included in the tour price.

What happens if I don't find any shark teeth?

Shark teeth are not guaranteed, but the guide gets you to the island during optimal conditions for finding them. The tour focuses on the paddle through the river and marshlands, the wildlife spotting and the exploration of the shoreline. The teeth are a bonus if the day delivers them.