Training-Lesson Reviews

This was my 2nd time kayaking with Nature Adventures. I had a wonderful time. The best part was seeing the dolphins and the various birds. The instructor was very knowledgeable of the wildlife, and history. He also had a great sense of humor! 10 out of 10 would recommend!

My class went there for a fun day out! Had an epic time on the tour!

I have been working with Nature Adventures Outfitters for the last thirteen years. In 2004 I was looking for a Charleston area outfitter who could give the students in a class I wanted to teach about Lowcountry culture and nature a sense of the variety of Lowcountry landscapes and Nature Adventures Outfitters was the only Charleston area outfitter then or now that could do that. They arranged a week-long program for my students that enabled them to experience tidal swamps and rivers, salt marshes and bays, and barrier islands, and they also served as a link to local caterers and historical sites and museums. Because of Nature Adventures Outfitters, I have been able to give hundreds of Penn State University students who have taken my class over the last thirteen years a comprehensive immersion experience that may not make them locals, but surely helps them to understand what being local to Awendaw or McClellanville or the Isle of Palms feels like. I don’t think there is another outfitter in the area that could do that. My class works, I think, because I was lucky enough to find and hire Nature Adventures Outfitters when they were small company trying to find their way. As they have grown bigger, they have consistently provided me the same quality personal service that I got the first time I worked with them. I have returned to Nature Adventures Outfitters year after year for so long because of that personal service and because I have, from the start, been impressed with the quality of the equipment—lots of really nice Wilderness Systems products--and the experience they provide, experience of both kayaking and local natural and cultural history. The guides are knowledgeable, many of them master naturalists or biologists; there are guides who can interpret the marshes and maritime forests or the rice culture, and just about everything in between, and all of them I have worked with have become friends of mine and my students. I count myself lucky that I found Nature Adventures Outfitters all those years ago, but I count myself smart to have continued to work with them since then.

Our first kayak lesson was a great experience. Matt was a great teacher. He was very patient and helpful with both the 8-year-old and myself! The staff were all very friendly. They applied the Social Distancing guidelines and everything was cleaned after use. Their location allows for options of what kind of trip to take. What a great way to spend the day!

My wife and I took a beginning kayaking lesson with Matt. He is an outstanding instructor! Matt was thorough, knowledgeable, calm, compassionate. In addition to the kayaking, he took time to point out numerous aquatic birds and other wildlife. All the staff was courteous and professional.

Overall a great experience. Stephen our instructor and guide was great! The staff is friendly and very accommodating. Highly recommend this experience!

We had the best time on our 2 hour kayaking tour. Our guide was so knowledgeable about EVERYTHING! We got a lesson on the history of Charleston as well as the local wildlife. It was beautiful and we got to see some dolphins, egrets, spitting oysters and more. Fully recommend this tour!

Looking for a comprehensive course on kayak strokes, maneuvering, safety, wet exits, and rescues? This class is a must for those looking to learn more about kayaking on the coast, how to read the tides, and excellent safety/rescue practices. I had Matt as my instructor, and he did a great job of working with everyone to make sure they were comfortable with the techniques presented. I highly recommend this for any beginner-intermediate paddlers or individuals looking to kayak solo in our tidal creeks!

took a SUP class, had an amazing experience. Seen dolphins and the baby and momma manatee. Can't wait tk go back for a tour!

What a GREAT time!!! Don’t know how large a group can be, but there was 5 in ours plus Ben, our tour guide. First, their equipment is in really good shape, which is important on the water. 2nd, Ben is a great teacher and tour guide. He is humorous without overdoing it and the same with the teaching; knows what he’s talking about and tells enough to increase what the paddlers know but keeps it short and interesting. If you’re in the Charleston area and want a water adventure, check this company out! I’m telling you, you will enjoy it!!! I’m planning to go back and take his paddle board class so I can get better. Enjoy your adventure!

We went kayaking with nature adventure outfitters. There's a three minute lesson on how to paddle, then a great two hour tour. Elizabeth was very knowledgeable. Equipment great. Dollphins swam next to our canoe in shem creek. Two hours was plenty!!!

Booked a morning, half-day kayak tour on Wambaw creek in the Francis Marion National Forest. We live an hour away and directions to the meet-up point were really easy. We met our guide Ian and he escorted us to the drop-in point about 10 minutes down the road. The road into the national park has some very deep potholes. Nothing to do with the tour company- but the FM national forest who is obligated to upkeep roads with tax payer $$$. This was the only mildly negative thing about the trip. Once at the launch site, kayaks, life jackets and paddles were distributed. A quick safety lesson and we were off. Side note that Ian and crew were extremely accommodating in that we had signed up for a tandem kayak but my 11 yo old son wanted a single. They had one on the trailer and had no problems with providing. Such a peaceful, relaxing day. The pace was slow so we could really look around and just explore. We saw Barred owls, baby Herron, alligators, turtles, wasps nests, leaches, spiders, lots of birds. It was just amazing! Bring water and a dry bag for your camera/cell phone. Use sunscreen and bug spray before you go. You will have the perfect day 😊. Oh and if you're hungry after the tour go to T. W. Graham & co. in McClellanville, SC. It is 3 minutes away from the main hwy and has great seafood and burgers!

My goal for taking the intro SUP class was to be able to stand up on a SUP. Goal achieved! Of course I eventually fell off so then I was taught how to get back on the board and start all over! I also learned all the basics about weather and water conditions, basic SUP strokes and of course info about the SUP board itself. Great job guys!

I went as part of a kayaking class I take for college and it was honestly my favourite place we’ve been! Shem Creek is absolutely beautiful, and they had several different routes to choose from, so I think anyone can find something they like. There’s a tonne of wildlife everywhere, and I would especially recommend if you love birdwatching or the like. The staff were also really helpful and professional, and made sure that we felt safe and knowledgeable about the area! So even if you’re a beginner, I would highly recommend!

SUP class was so much fun. Can't wait to come back and go out for a tour!

So much fun, great instructors, safe for families!!

Our 10 year old daughter has been out with Nature Outfitters twice to learn to paddle board and kayak. She has loved it both times and the team takes time to teach the kids how to do both as well as show them the nature around them. Great group of people to go out with!

It had been a few years since I had kayaked so I needed some practice and confidence building. Matt was an excellent guide and instructor. Ready for another kayak outing.

Booked the two hour tour. From start to finish- courteous informed staff. Highly recommend!

Great paddleboard lesson - if you are a beginner or just trying to advance your skills this place is worth your time & investment - Chandler was a very skilled & patient instructor with this beginner paddleboarder-my confidence on the water is greatly improved - highly recommended!

Ben asked me to help him out with the odds and ends of a team building event for a group of MUSC residences and I was happy to oblige. The day started off with close to 40 young adults arriving at Nature Adventures and while the kayaks were being prepared, Ben and I did some preliminary personality games and teamwork warm-ups with the residences. Breaking up into 4 teams we then got on the water for some more competitive activities. Working as a group and understanding personalities was a major focus for the day and everyone had a great time. Highly recommended to any class group or business looking for team building outing. Ben is very professional yet fun and easy to get along with and it is always a pleasure to help out and participate in his events.

I would definitely recommend this place to anyone!! My 14 yr old brother took a kayak camp here last summer, and grew to love kayaking so much that he asked for a kayak for Christmas! He had nothing but great things to say about the camp. Since I don't have a kayak, I rented one from Nature Adventures a few weekends ago to go kayaking with him. The employees were so nice, and they gave us both a map which was very helpful. One of the employees even washed my brother's kayak off for him when we got back from kayaking! It is only $36 for 3-4 hours, which is very reasonable. There is also a $5 discount for locals. We had so much fun!

This was my first trip to Charleston to visit a friend. To avoid overcrowded beaches we decided to go kayaking at Shem Creek. We called in the morning to reserve kayaks for the afternoon. We didn't need to do this, there was more than enough kayaks when we arrived, but we just wanted to be safe. We noticed there was sit on top kayaks which we wanted to use on a trailer. We asked the staff if we could use sit on top kayaks and they got them off the trailer for us. After a quick lesson we were off to adventure. Since my friend has rented here multiple times we didn't do a tour. Going down Shem Creek towards Charleston Harbor was amazing. The dolphins would swim up next to you. The only advise I would have to anyone leaving Shem Creek into the Harbor is to hug the shoreline. Some of the people driving boats don't know what they're doing and don't pay attention for people on kayaks. Renting a kayak and going off on an adventure was much better than laying out on a crowded beach. When I am back in Charleston I would definitely do this again.

Good price, great instruction, booked the night before and got on the water right on time. We took a tandem kayak and did not have a professional guide, but the area was awesome to kayak and the instructors even correctly pointed out where we might see some sea turtles! Great experience. We will be back.