East River Marsh Wildlife Area | Guilford, CT Experience one of nature’s rare alignments—when the tides, sunset, and rising moon converge to create a breathtaking saltmarsh evening. This phenomenon happens only once or twice a summer, offering a magical paddling opportunity through golden waters and twilight reflections. Explore the winding channels of a tidal river as we paddle through one of Connecticut’s most ecologically rich coastal wetlands. This expansive salt marsh is part of a dynamic estuarine system, where fresh water from inland streams meets the tidal flow of Long Island Sound, creating a haven for wildlife and a constantly shifting landscape shaped by the tides. We’ll be surrounded by broad expanses of salt marsh grasses—primarily smooth cordgrass and saltmeadow hay—that provide critical habitat for nesting birds, crustaceans, and juvenile fish. Keep your eyes peeled for snowy egrets, great blue herons, oystercatchers, and ospreys diving for fish. At low tide, exposed mudflats attract willets, yellowlegs, and other shorebirds probing for invertebrates. This landscape constantly changes with the water level—revealing secret creeks and quiet back channels that are only accessible at high tide. By planning our paddle with the tides, we make the trip easier and more relaxed, allowing the incoming or outgoing current to help carry us through the marsh. $120/ person $20 Deposit, $100 due time of event. Please Note: Due to the uniqueness of this event, no discounts apply. Photo credit: Federico Scotto d'Antuono See less

Hammonasset Marsh | Clinton, CT Join us for a peaceful morning exploration of Hammonasset Marsh, one of Connecticut’s richest coastal ecosystems. As the sun rises, we’ll glide past stands of smooth cordgrass and salt hay, getting an up-close look at the vibrant life of the salt marsh. These wetlands are not only beautiful—they’re ecologically essential. They filter water, absorb storm surges, and store carbon, making them critical to the health of the coastline and our climate. Our slow, quiet approach by kayak allows us to observe the marsh’s remarkable wildlife without disturbing it. Early mornings offer the best chance to see osprey diving for fish, egrets and herons stalking the shallows, and terns darting and calling overhead as they hunt in the open water. Beneath the surface, life teems—fiddler crabs, green crabs, and small fish dart among the roots. As we paddle, your guide will share insights into the marsh’s ecology, bird behavior, and the seasonal rhythms of life in this unique tidal world. Whether you're a seasoned paddler or new to kayaking, this trip offers a memorable way to connect with the wild and ever-changing beauty of Hammonasset. $100/ person $20 Deposit, $80 due time of event. Photo by Gary Leavens

Cromwell Meadows Wildlife Management Area | Middletown, CT $100/ person $20 Deposit, $80 Due time of event Photo by Seokhee Kim

Mattabesset River | Cromwell, CT Begin your day with a guided kayak tour along the tranquil waters of the Mattabesset River, where rich floodplain forests, quiet backwaters, and expansive freshwater marshes provide a haven for wildlife. This tributary of the Connecticut River winds through a protected landscape in Cromwell, offering paddlers a peaceful and scenic route with minimal current—perfect for observation and reflection. As we paddle along the Mattabesset, you’ll discover how this river supports a thriving ecosystem shaped by seasonal flooding and natural meanders. This stretch of the Mattabesset is a favorite among birders and naturalists. From your kayak, watch for great blue herons, wood ducks, and belted kingfishers, or catch a glimpse of beavers and painted turtles along the banks. In spring and summer, listen for the vibrant calls of red-winged blackbirds and marsh wrens echoing through the cattails. Overhead, swallows skim the water's surface, and bald eagles may soar silently above the tree line. With each paddle stroke, we’ll explore the river’s quiet beauty and learn about the dynamic natural systems that make this section of the Mattabesset a key link in Connecticut’s network of conserved waterways. $100/ person $20 Deposit, $80 Due Time of Event Photo by USFWS Mountain-Prairie

East River Marsh Wildlife Area | Guilford, CT $100/ person $20 Deposit | $80 Due time of event Photo by: Paul VanDerWerf

East River Marsh Wildlife Area | Guilford, CT $100/ Person $20 Deposit | $80 Due time of event Photo by Bill Majoros

Details TBD. Sign up to receive updates. Disclaimer: Expect to see a handful of meteors, it will not be like what is shown in the movies. Photo by Mike Lewinski

Gauging interest for a camping and kayaking tour of Florida's ecosystems: mangrove forests, spring-fed rivers and clear springs, salt marshes and coastal estuaries, blackwater rivers, cypress swamps and sloughs, freshwater marshes and wet prairies, barrier island lagoons and intracoastal waterways, coral reef and tropical seagrass beds, and karst sinkhole lakes. Photo by Janet Cunningham of Wanderlust Ecotours