Chesapean Outdoors

Frequently Asked Questions

Are we guaranteed to see dolphins?

No, but we almost always see them. Over the past seven years the percentage of tours where dolphins have been sighted has averaged about 95%. The reason for this lies in the fact that the dolphins seem to congregate near Cape Henry at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay to feed and use as a nursing ground for new born calves. In addition the mating season peaks during the summer months of July and August creating the perfect opportunity to view them in large numbers at the time of year when they are the most playful.

Do you need any experience?

No, the majority of our clients have never been kayaking before. We use sit-on-top kayaks which allows almost anyone of any age or ability an opportunity to participate. Sit-on-top kayaks are stable, lightweight, and easy to paddle. The most important feature however is the fact that you are not situated inside the kayak like you would be in a traditional sea kayak which requires more advanced training to use.

Should we use single or double kayaks?

It depends.. Single kayaks allow you as an individual the freedom to paddle at your own pace and direction. Double kayaks allow you the opportunity to paddle with a partner giving you twice the power to kayak on the ocean where wind and currents can be a factor. Paddling with a partner is also nice if you plan on taking pictures. While one person is paddling, the other person can concentrate on shooting photos of the dolphins and other wildlife.

What happens if it rains? (bad weather)

Generally if it is a light rain or drizzle and the ocean is calm and the air temperature is warm, we will still embark on a tour. If not then we will simply reschedule the tour for later in the day or week if possible. Some locals may want to reschedule at a later time in the season and that also is perfectly fine. If there is any sign of lightning or thunder, then the tour will be cancelled, period. The last place we want to be when a thunderstorm hits is holding an aluminum paddle in a kayak on the open water.

Will I get sea sick kayaking on the ocean?

If you are prone to motion sickness or know that you get sea sick fairly easy, then you might want to take Dramamine the night before the kayak tour. Most people, however, do not take anything to prevent getting sea sick and do just fine. The up and down motion is minimal compared to what you might experience on say, an offshore fishing charter boat.

What kind of wildlife will we see on our kayak tour?

The kayak dolphin tour is self explanatory- the focus of our tour being the bottlenose dolphins that migrate here in large numbers every summer. We also consistently see brown pelicans, ospreys, and many varieties of gulls, terns, and sandpipers. And on occasion we observe sea turtles and cow nose rays.