Cape Fear Adventure Company — Hotel in Wilmington

Captain Austin and his associate Jenny are literally the only people you need to know in this area, I promise you.

My sister and I got tricked into coming down to Nowheresville, NC from civilization (Boston) to dogsit for our parents. We were TOLD there were dog -friendly beaches we could bring our two dogs and my parents' puppy to "just 20 minutes away!". The only thing I was looking forward to was bringing my Newfie paddleboarding. I promised her over and over again, the whole two-day car ride down here, that we'd go swimming and paddleboarding every day. Hyped. Her. Up. Know what I mean?

Then we get here and every beach within a 45-minute drive is either covered in deadly jellyfish or is freshwater so we have to watch out for alligators.

ALLIGATORS!

We were so dejected and frustrated. We bought a $20 kiddie pool for the dogs and set it up in the backyard and proceeded to spend the first four days of our "vacation" in the house doing nothing.

Finally I decided to google a boat company that could take us to a sandbar or something--anywhere where my sister's dog-reactive rescue dog could frolic off-leash and my dog could swim in circles to her heart's delight. Reddit recommeded Cape Fear Adventure Company.

Go check out this company's website. Read the "About Us" page. Seriously. I'll wait.

Austin and Jenny literally saved our vacation. We got 4 glorious hours of true doggie vacation time, including: a super fun boat ride through gorgeous waters; a beautiful, rock-free, warm water, nearly empty beach (go early in the morning if you want the place to yourself!); a cooler full of ice; a paddleboard; floating chairs; all kinds of fascinating info about the area and its wildlife; a boat captain who was clearly thoughtful and experienced; and just an overall awesome day that couldn't have been more perfect.

From the moment I called and explained to Jenny what we were looking for, to the moment that Captain Austin graciously dropped us back off at the dock a little later than planned (took way too long for us to figure out how to pack up our beach tent!) and recommended the perfect restaurant for us, everything was even better than we'd hoped for. We tipped him as generously as we could but I wish I could've paid more--Cape Fear Adventure truly salvaged our vacation for us.

Seriously, do not call anyone else. These are gonna be your new...

I booked and attended the Rising Full Moon Kayak and Yoga Excursion to Masonboro today. It was magical.

We began with a kayak tour guided by Austin and Sean (sp?). Two knowledgeable instructors who ensured both safety and enjoyment. Life jackets, paddles and kayaks were supplied. We were outfitted and helped in and out of the kayaks and in and out of the water as needed. It felt amazing to be paddling! It was my first kayak trip this season and my first since moving here to Wilmington.

After arriving at Masonboro Island, we transitioned seamlessly into a rejuvenating yoga session on the soft sand. Led by Mandy, an experienced yoga instructor from Salty Dog Yoga, the yoga practice was both grounding and invigorating!!

As we returned we watched as the sun dipped below the horizon, and after we arrived back at our starting point the full moon emerged over the water glowing pink. The kayaking and our yoga practice combined for a deep sense of connection with nature and ourselves.

The entire experience was expertly curated, blending adventure, relaxation, and spiritual nourishment. Whether you’re a seasoned kayaker or a novice yogi or first timer the experience definitely has something to offer.

A heartfelt thank you to the organizers for creating such a magical experience—I have already signed up for the next one!

Feel free to adjust or add anything to tailor it to...

Austin was exceptional in experience, patience, and knowledge. The whole family was amazed! As soon as we pulled into the boat landing, we were met with a big smile and an incredible boat! From the start he made us feel like we weren’t out of place for not knowing much about what we wanted to do. He gave a more than adequate description of the different islands and what our best options were. He took us to all islands in the end lol(indecisive). He told us where we should go for sailing, seeing sights, and how to get the most out of each location. He took my children(8and4) tubing and what could have been a catastrophe was absolutely the best experience for our kids and my wife and I as they were treated with the utmost respect. He even made a special trip to show our kids an island full of hermit crabs. He explained every part of the trip thoroughly and included the whole family! He would get shells for us when we stopped to make sure we didn’t miss any. I can’t say enough. As soon as my wife and I left we looked at each other and were planning the next trip. I for 1 can’t wait and if I were contemplating things to do, this is absolutely 1 thing you can’t miss/skip. He could charge so much more and people often pay so much more for far less. Highlight of the trip without a doubt! Just take the plunge it is...