Eco Tours in Ocean City: Kayak with Dolphins and Birds
0
4
0
Ocean City’s coastal waters and salt marshes teem with wildlife—from bottlenose dolphins to bald eagles—making it a premier destination for eco tours. Whether you’re paddling a tandem kayak alongside curious porpoises or drifting silently beneath soaring osprey, these guided excursions provide both thrills and education. Below, discover the top tour operators, what to expect, and tips for making the most of your day on the bay.
Table of Contents
1. 48th Street Watersports Eco‑Tours
2. Paddle Cove Bayside Nature Tours
3. Ayers Creek Adventures on Assawoman Creek
4. Coastal Kayak Fenwick Island Expeditions
5. Barnacle Bill’s Wild Pony & Birding Cruises
1. 48th Street Watersports Eco‑Tours
48th Street Watersports offers 1.5‑hour guided eco‑tours by kayak or stand‑up paddleboard, focusing on local flora and fauna (48th St Watersports). Tours depart daily at 9:30 AM and 4 PM, weather permitting, with lightweight carbon‑fiber paddles and stable vessels provided (48th St Watersports). Participants often spot diamondback terrapins, fiddler crabs, and schools of menhaden—plus the occasional dolphin pod.
2. Paddle Cove Bayside Nature Tours
Paddle Cove’s eco‑tours glide through the back bays behind 67th Street, led by naturalist guides (paddlecove.com). These two‑hour excursions highlight bald eagles, osprey, and migrating shorebirds, with stops at quiet coves for shell‑collecting and photo ops (paddlecove.com). Tours average ten paddlers, but private charters accommodate larger groups for educational outings.
3. Ayers Creek Adventures on Assawoman Creek
Family‑owned Ayers Creek Adventures leads peaceful paddle tours on Assawoman Creek. Participants learn about the creek’s unique estuarine ecology—spotting blue herons, diamondback terrapins, and occasionally dolphins feeding at the creek mouth (Ocean City, MD | OCbound.com). Tours include hands‑on touch tanks where guests examine local marine life under guide supervision.
4. Coastal Kayak Fenwick Island Expeditions
Just across the Maryland–Delaware line, Coastal Kayak’s Fenwick Island eco‑tours combine kayak paddling with guided shorebird spotting (Ocean City, MD | OCbound.com). These small‑group tours visit secluded sandbars where terns and skimmers nest, and often encounter bottlenose dolphins surfing the outgoing tide (Sea Rocket Adventures). Equipment rental and shuttle service from Ocean City are included.
5. Barnacle Bill’s Wild Pony & Birding Cruises
Barnacle Bill’s offers a unique blend of wildlife watching: circumnavigate Assateague Island to observe its famous wild ponies, then cruise the bay margins for dolphin pods and migratory waterfowl (Ocean City, MD | OCbound.com). Their two‑hour tours depart from West Ocean City and include commentary on coastal conservation efforts.
Don’t miss the chance to paddle, learn, and marvel at Ocean City’s wild side—book your eco tours today!
