Sea Kayak Foraging Trips

Sea kayaks are sleek vessels that allow you access to areas of coastline and beach that may otherwise be difficult to get to. That uninhabited island; that remote, protected beach? Your kayak can get you there.

That makes foraging the perfect complement to sea kayaking. Open bodies of water, away from polluted rivers and industrial areas, with high levels of tidal change, are great places to seek out marine life like mussels, oysters, clams and a multitude of seaweed and kelp varieties.

To start, make sure you have access to that clean body of water. Nearby farms, industrial areas or even rivers that can carry waste products down from inland areas should be avoided. Flushing from tides helps clean things out, too.

You’ll have to research permitting in your area to make sure you’re not in violation of any laws. Every state has its own system, but a quick online search should yield what you need.

If you’re new to foraging, be sure to carry a guidebook to help with identification. You want to make sure you’re picking items that won’t make you sick; you’ll also need to learn how to store and transport them. Never pick more than you need, and don’t take too much from one area for sustainability purposes. And finally, don’t pick from or trespass onto private property.