FAQs

On every guided tour we provide you with a boat/board, PFD, dry bags, kayak skirt (optional), paddle, a highly experienced and professionally certified guide. We also provide a light snack from one of our delicious, local bakeries on all tours over 2hrs long. Your guide carries all necessary safety gear that includes extra clothing, flares, compass, radio, a tow belt, and other equipment. If you require any additional equipment please contact our office and we will do our best to accommodate you.

No experience is required to go on our tours! Our trips are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. On our guided sea kayak and SUP tours both on-shore and on the water instruction is provided. All of our guides are highly competent paddlers and are certified to the highest standard of sea kayaking and standup paddleboarding in Canada. Our guides are there to answer any questions, to manage risk and ensure your safety, and to share their local knowledge of the area. We take care of everything, so you can relax and enjoy yourself!

Paddling is for everyone, and one of our goals at Cape LaHave Adventures is to make ocean adventures as accessible as possible. On sea kayak day tours we take children as young as 2 and adults older than 90. Paddlers should be able to remain in a kayak for at least an hour. On multi-day tours we prefer a minimum age of 12, however we assess each case individually. If you have particular health considerations, or if  you're not sure if a tour is appropriate for you, feel free to get in touch.

If you are kayaking or paddle-boarding, please plan to get a wet. In the summer months, we recommend water shoes, or sturdy close-toed shoes, a long sleeve shirt and splash top or windbreaker on top. It is preferable to dress in layers and wear clothing that will wick away perspiration and keep you dry and comfortable. Heavy cotton clothing, like jeans are best avoided. Hats, sunglasses (on a rope!), and sunscreen are also important to bring along. On paddleboards, we recommend you wear a similar layers to kayaking, a bathing suit, or suitable warm swimming clothes. For colder times of the year, we provide paddling wetsuits and splash jackets for our tours.

You may see a variety of wildlife including seals, porpoises, osprey, wild sheep, raccoons, porcupines, black bears, foxes, deer, rabbits, many species of birds and more. Wildlife is not guaranteed on our tours, but it is quite common for a few animal sightings on every tour.

Yes, of course! Tours in all the areas we travel are full of stunning wilderness areas, sandy beaches, an abundance of wildlife, and a variety of picturesque scenery. There will be time to take photos on and off the water, and we provide small drybags specifically for electronics that can be sealed and clipped to your PFD for easy access to your camera.  If the main objective of your tour is photography, please contact us ahead of time and we will develop an itinerary that meets your needs.

The kayaks and SUPs we use on our tours are stable and designed for comfort. The likelihood of capsizing is minimal, and infrequent on guided tours. Our guides are experienced, certified professionals who undergo extensive rescue training. In the unlikely event of a capsize, we place full confidence in our guides to react accordingly and keep you safe. If you are nervous about capsizing, we recommend paddling in a double kayak rather than a single, as they are more stable.

We have both single and double kayaks available. Double kayaks are more stable and very fast with two paddlers. We often recommend beginners and people who are nervous about paddling sit in the double. They are also a great way for adults to paddle with young children and they make excellent platforms for photography.  The drawback is they are steered from the back so both paddlers need to agree on the direction you’re heading. Singles are more agile and allow each paddler to move independently, however for newer paddlers they feel less stable and as a result are harder to maneuver and may feel ‘tippy’.

We can kayak in light rain, wind and fog-- that’s part of the adventure! With proper gear, we are confident you will comfortable and enjoy your time on the water, even if it’s not a postcard perfect day. If the weather is unsafe for any reason, the trip will be cancelled or postponed. Our guides are experienced in marine weather interpretation and keep a close eye on the rapidly changing weather forecast for the South Shore. If there is any safety concerns in regard to weather, we will be in touch on the day of the tour. There will be no charge if we cancel the tour. If you have any hesitations about paddling in variable conditions please contact our office and we will be happy to chat.

Usually between 3-6 hrs a day on average. It varies day to day depending on weather, route plans and the groups' interests and energy levels. Our guides are continually assessing forecasts, paddling conditions, and checking in with the group in order to adapt trip plans accordingly. One of the benefits of small group travel is that we are flexible.

No experience is required for the majority of our multi-day kayak tours. Our trips are designed to cater to all levels of experience and abilities. All that we ask is that you welcome adventure with an open mind and are able to laugh and have fun when encountering the unexpected.

Our adventures are not strenuous or physically demanding, and we do not require a high level of fitness. We just ask that you are capable of a few hours of moderate exercise each day and are comfortable with the uneven ground in a wilderness environment. Keep in mind that good general health will go a long way if we happen to encounter some strong winds or time restrictions. Most important is an adventurous spirit.

We provide everything except your own personal gear. Included in the tour is your kayaking and safety equipment (boat, paddle, skirt, PFD, drybags, pump, sponge), all meals and group camping gear, guide, tents, and sleeping mattresses. We ask you bring your own sleeping bag, unless you are joining one of our Glamping tours. For those who do not wish to travel with a sleeping bag, we can provide one for a one time laundering fee of $25. Personal gear varies based on the trip you a registered for. We will contact you in advance with a customized suggested personal packing list for you. In general, you will not need to purchase paddling specific specialty clothing.

Yes, we are happy to accommodate special dietary needs. In the past, we have developed meals plans for vegetarians, celiac, and more. If you have any dietary restrictions please let us know in advance so we can develop a meal plan suitable to you. There is a fee of $15/day for special dietary needs, to cover the additional costs of specialty products and menu planning.

There is very little fresh water to be found on the small islands through which we travel. Therefore, seawater is your best bet for washing up. Please use biodegradable, environmentally friendly soap brands. Toilet facilities are not common in most wilderness settings, although some areas may have pit toilets. Your guide will generally designate an area or system that works for ensuring your privacy. We are very accustomed to making sure all of our guests feel as comfortable and informed as possible in this regard – please feel free to ask us any questions you might have, before or during your tour.

You can leave your bags and car at our offices in LaHave or Mahone Bay. Both locations are safe and secure.

If you are kayaking, we recommend water shoes or sandals, neoprene booties, or sturdy close-toed shoes that can get wet, and a splash top or windbreaker on top. It is preferable to dress in layers and wear non-cotton clothing that will wick away perspiration and keep you dry and comfortable. Remember you could get wet. We provide drybags, and we encourage you to take extra layers along with you. On paddleboards, we recommend you wear a neoprene wetsuit, bathing suit, or suitable swimming clothes, depending on the time of year. In the summer, many people enjoy swimming off of their paddleboards. For colder times of the year, we rent wetsuits for $15 if reserved in advance. Keep in mind when you get on the water you will be out there without the convenience of a guide’s pack, please ensure you prepare and pack accordingly for the conditions you will be paddling in.

For rentals, we recommend you bring a water bottle, comfortable non-cotton quick-drying clothing, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, long sleeves, a windbreaker or splashtop, sturdy footwear that can get wet, and your cell phone. Please also use your judgement and pack according to your needs. If you are renting, we require that you take a cell phone on the water with you, and if you have any of your own safety and navigational tools it can never hurt to bring those along as well.

Rentals include a boat/board, PFD, dry bag, skirt, paddle, pump, and rope. If you require any additional equipment please contact our office and we will do our best to accomodate you.  We also rent wetsuits for $15 and drysuits for $35. These must be reserved in advance to ensure availability.

Yes! Navigation experience is required for rentals in the LaHave Islands, due to the potential for fog. Experience with wet-exits and re-entry is also important. If you are a beginner, we encourage you to register for a guided tour. Maritime weather changes quickly and conditions can change very fast. If you are a single person renting a kayak or SUP board, we require that you can demonstrate self-rescue techniques that meet industry standards. Paddle Canada Skills training is highly enouraged. These rules are for your safety and enjoyment.

At Cape Lahave Adventures we try to make our rentals as inclusive as possible. Although it is tricky to accommodate your dog in a kayak, it can sometimes be possible dependant on their temperament and size. We can accomodate most dogs on paddle boards. If you are thinking of bringing your pup along please give us advance notice if possible.

Our office closes at 5:30pm, so you must return your rental before then. If you wish to stay out later, please let us know in advance. We will do our best to accommodate your request with advanced notice.

You must be 18 years of age to rent a kayak without a legal guardian present.

We provide you with a chart and will be happy to show you the most suitable routes for the conditions and your paddling ability. There is no shortage of beautiful coastline on the South Shore, so rest assured, once you are on the water you will know where to go!

Everything is included, unless otherwise noted on the website. However we are required to charge a sales tax of 15%. Prices listed on the website do not include tax. We also offer customized add-ons to many of our tours such as packed lunches and yoga sessions. If you would like to indulge in such activities, or stop by our shop to purchase clothing and other merchandise, this is an additional cost.

If you would like to express your appreciation to the guides through a gratuity, such recognition would be enthusiastically received. The industry standard for tipping is approximately 10-15% per person of the trip cost. All tips received will be collected and dispersed amongst your guides.

Pricing for private tours and lessons is dependant on your needs. Please contact us by email or phone for quotes on private tours, itineraries, and lessons.

We are open by appointment in Dublin Shore (LaHave) May 1st to October 31st. You are welcome to drop in during business hours (9am-5pm), at 14 Bells Cove Road, Dublin Shore, however we recommend booking in advance.

We do accept walk-ins, however we have a limited number of boats, boards, and guides and on busy days are not always able to accommodate the needs of walk-in guests. We highly encourage you to book in advance.

We recommend all guests book their tours as far in advance as possible to secure the ideal equipment and guiding services for your needs. However, we do accept last minute reservations when space permits, and we will always do our best to accommodate you regardless of when you book your tour. If booking with less than 24hrs notice, the best way to reach us is by phone: 902-693-2023 or toll free 1-877-413-1935

For multi-day tours, day tours and lessons we require a 50% deposit at the time of booking (50% balance to be paid on the day). For equipment rentals and sales payment in full is required.

We accept various forms of payment. You can pay online with visa, mastercard and american express using our online reservation system. You are also welcome to pay in our shop where we accept cash, debit, and a variety of credit cards.

Yes! You can purchase them online here. You can select any dollar amount you wish. Our gift cards can be used towards any of our offerings and they never expire. Give the gift of memories for years to come!

There can be no rescheduling or refunds within 48hrs for day tours and rentals, and 30 days for multi-day tours and clinics unless a suitable replacement is found. If one is found, or for cancellations further in advance, a full refund less a $25 administration fee will be issued. We reserve the right to cancel or alter any clinics or trips due to weather or insufficient registration. In these cases, refunds will be issued and we will do our best to reschedule.