Cape Fear River / Carolina Beach State Park Combo

This is one sweet paddle, and I'm going to apologize up front for not having more pictures.  As we launched our boats, I was convinced that there wouldn't be much to take pictures of.

Wrong!

The route hugs the side of the Cape Fear River, and because that land is part of Carolina Beach State Park, you see no development.  Only birds (ospreys), sand dunes, and coastal vegetation.  And, lest I forget, jumping mullets!  (Can't beat jumping mullets!)  I  highly recommend it.

Vital Statistics:  This paddle is about three miles long, but if you have the skill and stamina to do so, you can add more distance.

You launch from a nice, if small, sandy beach to the left of the Carolina Beach State Park marina. Then you hang a sharp left and paddle south.  After some paddling, you'll reach, on the left, a small bay.  (One fellow at the launch called it a "dredge pond." I guess one man's dredge pond is another man's bay.)  Whatever it is, you can circle the edge.  Then before you return, you can stop at a small sand bar at the neck of the bay for a stretch break.

As you paddle south, take care to avoid the channel the larger boats use over to your right.

The picture looks north up the Cape Fear River.  Inset between the two fingers of rocks on the right is the entrance to the marina.  Don't go there.  The second instance of water is Snow's Cut; don't go there either.

Also, do NOT head west.  You'll be in the major shipping lanes for Wilmington.

Boat Ramp:  Yes!  Sandy beach for us small boaters!  If you don't have a kayak, you can rent one from a  rental kiosk there.  Also, because you're launching from a sandy spot, you will have no ramp contention from the marina. The state park charges a fee to launch ($6 at this writing), so that keeps  some traffic down as well.   Still, the parking lot is generous and you can find grassy spots to place your boats as you take them off your car.


Restrooms?  Yes!  Up at the Marina office.  You'll also find a small selection of snacks up there.

What Else to Know:  You are paddling in some strong water.    Prior to wetting my bow, I was a wee bit concerned about the match between my stamina and the water since they don't call it Cape "Easy - Peasy."  I figured there's truth in naming, right?  And the day I paddled, the wind was shipping just some.  No bonafide whitecaps, but small chop.  Plus, I was paddling against the incoming tide.  But by staying relatively close to the river's edge, I was able to enjoy a really fine excursion -- and had an easy-peasy ride back to the launch.