If you are reading this review, then I ASS-U-ME you are considering going Kayaking when you visit the Outer Banks. A warning to all those of you who have never Kayaked. DON'T go anywhere else. Ben Cobb is a young family man who is an EMT Fireman with all the precautions for any mishap and is an INCREDIBLE GUIDE. My girlfriend and I (we are over 60 and retired) have never Kayaked and Kathie is not a strong swimmer so she had her reservations when Ben was taking us on the Alligator River Tour. She had friends who fell in and had bad experiences when they went Kayaking; please don't let me get started on them haha.
YOU WILL NOT FALL IN!! Unless you don't listen to simple instructions. "Put your foot in the middle of the boat and sit down". NO ONE FELL IN and there were 6 yr olds paddling themselves (i don't advise this} Ben had to Kayak 3 miles while towing another Kayak. He did it with pleasure. I do strongly recommend watching a few YOUTUBE videos to get acquainted with how to steer it; how to get in and out, but if you have ever been in a Canoe or Row Boat, it's not rocket science. Anyone can do it if they have a couple of ounces of coordination.
You won't see any Alligators, unless you are lucky like we were. YEP. An 8 ft alligator; looked like a mom guarding her babies, on the banks barely visible. How scary right? Not at all because Ben explained in the begginging what to do. NOTHING. They don't bother you; UNLESS you don't follow simple instructions like the young girl didn't do and started paddling toward the alligator. Alligator came into the water a few feet and she got the warning. That's it. Too bad we didn't see the Black Bears that sometime hang out in the trees.
I don't write reviews for my health. I love reading good reviews that paint a picture so that is what I am trying to do. If you are thinking about Kayaking then call Ben. I'm sure that there are other competent guides, but why take the chance. There is absolutely nothing he could have done to make it more exciting and enjoyable, from the protein bars, water and Gatorade to the frequent stops for an education. THANKS BEN!!!! Kathie wants to buy a tandem Kayak now. She LOVED IT!! read more