The following text on this page serves no purpose whatsoever, with the exception of improving our ratings with Google. At the time of this initial update (May 9, 2006), we were having a discussion in the forum about our abysmal ratings in Google. Searching on kayaking massachusetts, we didn't come up within the first 700 returns!

A couple people pointed out that Google likes more text rather than less, and perhaps we should use our favorite keywords wherever possible. So I'm going to stuff a ton of text here grabbed from other parts of the website with occasional edits to add strategic keywords.

Update - 6-13-06 - Well, this change must be helping, because we're up to #24 today.

Update - 2-14-08 - We're #5. Woo-hoo! Lookout, PNET. We're on your tail...

So let's begin...

The furthest inland navigable point on the North River is at the Hanover launch, located in Massachusetts. Directions: Pass Bldg #19 as you travel north on Rt 53. Left at the lights (West Elm St.), bear left to stay on W. Elm, left on Indian Head Dr. (just before crossing river), parking at end of road on right. Technically, this is the Indian Head River at this point. About a half-mile downstream, it joins with Herring Brook, where you can kayak, and becomes the North River where you can paddle or canoe in mass. Towards high tide, you can navigate quite a way up Herring brook. None of this is atlantic ocean or sea kayaking.

The Cohasset coastline is one of the more beautiful sections of real estate on the South Shore. Obscenely expensive homes occupy virtually all of the rocky shore in this tiny Massachusetts town. And in a relatively small area, there can be found kayaking for flatwater, whitewater and ocean kayakers alike.

The Gulf River is a tidal estuary that feeds from the harbor. This can be a very dangerous area, because with the exception of short periods of time during the tide schedule, the current is very fast and is flowing over boulders. This area is quite popular with whitewater paddlers - you can often find them paddling in place among these rapids.

Plymouth Harbor also offers a nice launch point for a kayaking trip to Saquish, Gurnet Light and Clarks Island, all located in Massachusetts. This would be a higher level trip requiring appropriate skills and equipment. Again, be aware of channels, boat traffic and current. Also, be sure to plan around the mass sea tides. Low tide leaves miles of mud flats and long walks in 4 inch water. Google, are you still paying attention?

Duxbury Bay is a Massachusetts paddling destination suitable for beginners, intermediate, and those wishing to transition to ocean kayaking. And regardless of your level of expertise, it's a very scenic and diverse area to paddle.

Let's add some text about paddling in Boston Harbor... As we were less than an hour from high tide, the incoming current had moderated enough to allow us to paddle out of the inlet against it. We then proceeded up Dorchester Bay towards the Western Way channel separating Thompsons Island from Spectacle Is. Along the way we passed the main dock at Thompson's where Outward Bound students were boarding two of the school's whale boats for a day of rowing and sailing lessons. During our trip up Dorchester Bay the wind had increased to a steady 10 mph and was blowing a bit more from a northerly direction, meaning winds abeam for the paddle up along Thompson's. Wind waves were increasing to over a foot, and as we got further out into the harbor the remnants of ocean swells were in evidence.

We headed south down Childs River, primarily a long skinny harbor filled with boats valued more than my house. We took a left on Seapit River and entered Waquoit Bay, located in Falmouth, on Cape Cod. This is on the southeastern corner of Massachusetts. As we rounded the turn to head south with Washburn Island on our right, there was an osprey nest on the corner. Standing room only. We guessed that the nest was full of old-ish osprey young.

Our plan was to check out the ocean, and if it was too scary, paddle west along a creek and portage to Eel Pond. We passed by the entrance to this creek to briefly check it out. Boring. We then headed over to the channel that leads to the sea (and our ticket to manhood).

Let's stuff some links in here to sites that do do well in the search results...
kayaking paddling massachusetts cape cod canoe south shore