Kayaking Brookings Chetco River

Sightseeing  :  United States  :  Oregon  :  Brookings  :  Kayaking & Canoeing

The Wild and Scenic Chetco river estuary in Brookings offers a variety of experiences ranging from frequent Pelican and Kingfisher sitings to neat coves, sloughs and some of the cleanest water on the coast.  The boat basin offers a very easy calm water introduction where you can view the many different commercial fishing boats, Coast Guard vessels and pleasure craft moored up to the docks. Total freshwater paddling distance is about 2.5 miles for the 1.5 to 2 hour tour.We meet at the dock in the boat basin where we have our safety talk and get equipped with our boats and personal flotation devices. You get comfortable with your kayak in the calm waters of the boat basin before making the paddle into the bay and up the beautiful Chetco river. On our way out to the bay and estuary you can view the many recreational fishing vessels and sailboats moored to the docks as well as the many different birds, sea lions and harbor seals.  We can also paddle right up to the Coast Guard station to see their rescue boats and view all of the commercial fishing vessels that call this protected port home.  The birding in this estuary can be very good with frequent sightings of Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Heron, Black Crowned Night Heron, Brown Pelicans, Caspian and Elegant Tern, Cormorants and more.  Round trip usually takes around 1.75 hours and the paddling is easy.