New Jersey Kayak Barnegat Bay Sedge Island Kayak Tour

The Sedge Island Lodge central location on the Sedge Islands off the southern end of New Jersey's Island Beach State Park is an excellent base camp to explore, observe nature & relax. The Sedge Islands are one of New Jersey's most productive wildlife habitats. The best way to explore the Sedge Is. is from a sea touring kayak.
The sea kayak touring experience is unparalleled with protected coves and tidal marsh.

The staff of New Jersey Kayak will ensure your paddling safety and guide & assist you through the many paddling options the area has to offer. Depending on the weather, tide conditions and overall ability of group, various circumnavigation routes may be taken. One paddling option is to cross Barnegat Inlet to explore the fishing fleet of Viking Village and another example is paddling the marsh at dawn & evening.

The Sedge Islands are a perfect location to practice paddling techniques and rescue techniques and New Jersey Kayak's staff will be pleased to educate or refresh all paddling skills.

This is our fifth season at the Sedge House and in what has developed as a special collaboration of environmental studies and sea kayak education. Jim Merrit, the director of Sedge House, and his staff will educate you on the natural beauty and diversity of the Sedge Islands while New Jersey Kayak's staff will educate you on all aspects of sea kayak touring.

You do not have to be an expert and this is a great opportunity to brush up on your paddling skills by traveling with ACA Certified kayak instructors that have years of local knowledge of area.Novice or expert will enjoy the high adventure, the environmental education, the gourmet home cooking, the unique historic accommodations and the new lasting friendships. 360 degree view from back elevated porch of Sedge Lodge looking south

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above: Osprey & nest, Sunrise at Sedge Lodge, Falcon & nest

The Sedge Islands teem with life throughout the year. Spring brings the return of the Osprey and shorebirds and the fall brings flocks of birds migrating south and birds that call the area home through the winter. The tidal wetlands of the Sedge Island ands & Barnegat Inlet are alive with the natural wonders of coastal New Jersey where Barnegat Bay and The Atlantic Ocean meet.

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above: Terrapin tagging / Claming in the shallows at Sedge Island

All kayak equipment will be supplied and delivered to launch site. You are welcome to take your own kayak if it is a true sea touring kayak in that the kayak has fore & aft air tight (bulkhead) compartments & preferably equipped with rudder or skeg.
Kayak equipment supplied in kayak tour: Personal fitted true coastal sea touring kayak with rudder, fitted kayak life jacket (PFD), spray skirt & quality performance paddle.
Food supplied during three day tour:
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Food is prepared by my lovely wife Carmen (GREAT COOK) and there is plenty of it.
Fri., lunch, diner / desert, Sat., breakfast, lunch, diner / desert, Sun., breakfast, lunch.
Snacks as apples, cheese & crackers, etc. will be supplied, however we encourage quest bringing additional snacks, favorite dish or dessert for all to share. Breakfast juice & table water will be supplied but quest should bring ample supply of personal water & snacks for kayak tours.
Accommodations at Sedge Lodge: There is accommodations for twelve quest. There are private rooms with a bunk bed for two with mattress, pillows & wool blanket. Please bring your own pillow case & bed sheet. In the past, my wife & I have placed mattress on floor to form very comfortable combined bedding. Also in the past, weather permitting, quest have slept on outside porch. This is communal living with everyone helping in cleanup, etc. The bathroom facilities are are very clean & there is an outside spring fed shower.
Electricity is generated but used very sparingly. Please bring a flashlight.

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The trip will start 9:30 Friday morning (Sept. 19) with meeting at kayak launch at southern end of Island Beach State Park. There will be a boat to bring your gear to the Sedge Lodge. Once we load our gear on boat launch, we will kayak the short distance to the island the Sedge Lodge is located.

Bill and Carmen Stage, owners of New Jersey Kayak, are your guides & host.

Here is your opportunity to kayak with friends and to practice your kayaking skills while learning about the natural beauty of the Sedge Islands and Barnegat Bay.

Our host at the Sedge House is Jim Merrit. Jim is an environmental specialist and waterman. Jim's knowledge of the area, tidal marsh and wildlife will inform & entertain throughout our trip.

Exploring the surrounding marsh of Sedge Ledge, witnessing the sunsets, sunrises, and the evenings along New Jersey's most unique coast, is truly a magical experience.

The cost for this very special three day weekend of discovery is $290.

Besides the three day two night stay at the Sedge Lodge, supplied sea touring kayak & gear,
professional guides, the fee includes breakfast, lunch and dinner starting with lunch with our arrival at the Sedge Lodge Friday and ending with lunch Sunday.

Please call shop (609) 698-4440 or email: newjerseykayak@newjerseykayak.com

A $125 deposit is required for reservation. The maximum number of quest is 12.
The State of NJ fee is $125 per person, including guides.
If you are to cancel by Thursday, September 4th, you will receive a full refund.
There will be no refund if you are to cancel after Thursday, September 4th.
There is a minimum fee required by the State of NJ. If there is not a minimum amount of quest to meet this fee, NJ Kayak may reserve the right to cancel the trip.
In the event of this happening, NJ Kayak will refund full amount.
Except for the emanate threat of a Hurricane, NJ Kayak will go to the Sedge Lodge.