From the Delaware Bay to the Inland Bays, from the Lewes Rehoboth Canal to the multiple rivers and wetlands teeming with wildlife, we are drawn to water.
And of course, the queen of all water that we are fortunate to be surrounded with is the Atlantic Ocean with its gorgeous, family friendly beaches. So why not try out an adventure with another perspective to our (mostly) pristine waterways from the water itself?
Multiple options for water tours, kayaking adventures and more, such as fishing excursions abound all around us here in Southern Delaware. Here are some options for consideration.
Back Bay Tours, Ocean View
Explore the Indian River Bay and resident marine wildlife on a specialized sunset tour. Available until late September, Back Bay Tours offers 90 minute tours for $45. They also customize fishing trips (no fishing license required) and provide bait and tackle. These are family friendly excursions suitable for even the grandkids. Reservations are necessary through their website or by calling (302) 539-0707.
Fisherman’s Wharf Cruises, Lewes
Leaving Fisherman’s Wharf located on the canal, this tour company offers dolphin watching tours through early October, and a longer whale and dolphin watching tour, generally through September 1, but other accommodations for groups are also made. A bonus for all of you grandparents: on most of their tours, children under the age of five attend free, and those a bit older (6-12) are ticketed at $25. Adults’ tickets are $40, and seniors over 60 receive discounted prices, depending on which tour you choose.
Fisherman’s Wharf. Their most popular tour is their sunset cruise. They also offer eco tours, guided by naturalists and birding enthusiasts that teach the curious of all ages about local wildlife not as often seen from land.
Quest Adventures, Lewes
For those at ease in a kayak, or even a stand up paddleboard (SUP), Quest Adventures offers rentals, guided group tours of the Delaware Bay, and several other beachy occasions such as bonfires on Lewes Beach (fully set up, dismantled and cleaned up). So if you are a landlubber who’d rather wait ashore for your family to finish their adventure, Quest can make the entire family’s experience unforgettable.
Quest Adventures also offers beach equipment rentals and has a handful of other locations in the area, such as Cape Henlopen State Park and Broadkill Beach. They are open for general business through September 30, but according to the website, they seem to be willing to make other reservations off season by request.
Cape Water Tours and Taxi, Lewes, Ferry Terminal, Rehoboth Beach
Long a mainstay in the cruising, touring and water taxi business, Cape Water Tours offers a long menu of water sightseeing cruises and boat taxi services such as trips back and forth between Rehoboth Beach and Lewes on the canal.
They also have a partnership with MERR (Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation), which is a big hit with kids, since they learn quite a bit about marine mammals, and even get involved with occasionally collecting data.
Prices vary depending on the service and individual or group rates.
Regardless of which water tour you choose, seeing what’s really in our tributaries, bays and ocean opens endless opportunities to share your special occasion with family and friends. Explore and find awe from the water as we all appreciate these precious natural resources we have.
By Bridget FitzPatrick
