WESTPORT

About the Saugatuck River

The Saugatuck River goes all the way up to Danbury.  Our end of it, from the Route 1 Bridge in Westport center to Long Island Sound, is about three miles.  Like most rivers in the region it was home to many mills supporting local industry.  It’s a very healthy river, thanks to the efforts of Harborwatch and the Saugatuck River Watershed Partnership, and homeowners that live on the river that are environmentally conscious and responsible. 

Family/Beginner Fun on the River (2 hours) SUP or Kayak

In this high-tide guided paddle our focus is on getting you comfortable, sharing some information on the area, helping you get your bearings, and having some fun.

For the kids we’ll include some games and activities that will entertain and challenge them – you too, if you’re interested!  Doing the limbo as you paddle under the docks, figure-eight around the buoys, ball/sponge games (when it’s hot, this is a welcome activity!), follow the leader, wildlife identification, maybe try out capsizing and see how easy it is to get back in your boat!  $45 adults, $35 kids.

Upriver on the Saugatuck (3 hours) SUP or Kayak

Paddle up river, meandering around the coves, and docks, to the bridge at Route 1 in Westport Center.  Depending on the tide, you can go under the bridge and enjoy an even quieter more pristine location – not many houses up here, some businesses.  If you go far enough you will come to the dam, where there is a fish ladder.  Join us for one of our Eco tours to learn more about the fish ladder, dams and Saugatuck River in general.  SUP appropriate.  $55 adults, $45 kids. 

Stony Point (2 hours) SUP or Kayak

Hugging the western shore (right) as you head down river, keep to the right and you’ll find yourself heading around Stony Point – a gorgeous inlet that leads back towards I95, and at high tide you can get that far!  We love this paddle for beginners, SUPers, birthday parties, classes, yoga and meditation.   $45 adults, $35 kids. 

Gray’s Creek (3 hours) Kayak

A secluded paddle at high tide with an opportunity to shout out to your mates enjoying a round of golf at the Compo beach club!  Grays Creek is just before you get to the mouth of the river, on your left, and heads back towards Compo Road, as far as the Minuteman Statue.  $55 adults, $45 kids.  

Compo Marina Tour (2 hours) Kayak or SUP

Just past Grays Creek on your left is the Compo Marina, you've got this far... stop for a bit and stretch your legs.  Bathroom facilities and picnic area available.  $50 adults $40 kids.

Bermuda Lagoon (4 hours) Sea Kayak

Venture out into Long Island Sound and round to the west (right) to enter Bermuda Lagoon, a protected marsh area of diverse habitats; ideal for bird watching and fishing.  $65 adults, $55 kids.

Cockenoe Island (kah-KEE-nee), (4 hours) Sea Kayak

There are 25 islands in the archipelago of Norwalk islands, many of which are really more like rocks, and many are private (don’t land on those).  Cockenoe is the closest to the shore from the Saugatuck River.  It’s beautiful - great paddling, swimming, exploring, abundance of wildlife.  Well worth the time to head out into the Sound.  Check out how clear the water is at the mouth – great shell fishing around here (with a Westport license). We head out here for a spot of snorkeling during low tide in the heat of the summer, it’s also one of our overnight camp out destinations, and home to a geocacheor two! $65 adults, $55 kids. 

Shea & Sheffield Islands (4 hours) Sea Kayak

Another great paddle – in sea kayaks of course, as these are farther afield and really exposed to the winds and boaters.  But, they are real treasures.  Shea you can camp on and has a great shoreline for exploring, and toilets!  Next door is Sheffield, part of the Stewart B. McKinley Wildlife Reserve and home to the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse.  Your guide fee includes a tour of the lighthouse, use of the bathrooms, and access to refreshments.  $70 adults.  Not suited to kids under 16.  Includes docking fee for Sheffield, tour of lighthouse, use of restrooms, and availability of refreshments.

There is a launch site in Saugatuck off Compo Road South.  Directly opposite Downunder, paddle over to us, or wait for the tour to pick you up. 

Naturalist Tours with John Hannan of the Audubon Society.

ROWAYTON

Downunder Rowayton Kayak Trails - Chart

About the Five Mile River

Five Mile River was actually named for the Five Mills that were on it.  This is a beautiful paddle of secret places, a wonderful experience for newcomers to kayaking and paddle boarding, or those that just want to take it easy.  Our navigable area is three-fourths of a mile and includes Indian Creek and Tokeneke Creek.  Upriver you can paddle under White Bridge to a secluded area where at mid tide water falls over a natural dam.  It’s about a 10-minute direct paddle to the mouth of the river where you can check out Long Island Sound.  Paddling upriver and downriver and exploring the creeks, takes 1 to 2 hours.  At low tide, you’re best to head straight out to the Sound, and explore the local coves or the Fish Islands.

Family/Beginner Fun on the River (2 hours) SUP or Kayak

In this high-tide paddle we will explore Indian Creek, then head upriver to the White Bridge, before heading downriver to Tokeneke Creek and perhaps out into the Sound to give you a feel for what it’s like.  Maybe next time you’ll venture out to the coves or islands.  Bring the kids along and we’ll include some games and activities that will entertain and challenge them – you too, if you’re interested!  Doing the limbo as you paddle under the docks, figure eight around the buoys, ball/sponge games (when it’s hot, this is a welcome activity!), follow the leader, wildlife identification, maybe try a capsize and learn how to get back in your boat!  $45 adults, $35 kids.

Round the Bays of Darien – Scott’s Cove (2.5 hours) Kayak

Enjoy a coastal tour of Darien, past the Tokeneke Club and into Scott's Cove.  Time willing stop at Fish Island for a break on your way back.  $50 adults, $40 kids.

Round the Bays of Rowayton – Belle Island (2 hours) Kayak

Guides will lead you on a paddle of the eastern coves - Roton Point, Belle Island, and Wilson Point. The tour may also include Tavern Island depending on time, conditions, and the experience level of the group.  Learn the history of Roton Point, the historical amusement park that drew thousands of people in the late 1900s.  View osprey from their nest at the old pier, and all manner of shoreline birds, including egrets, herons, and cormorants.  Enjoy spectacular views of beautiful homes and islands that are not visible from the shore.  $45 adults, $35 kids.

Fish Islands (2 hours) Kayak

The islands are a privately owned natural wildlife sanctuary and a popular destination for boaters.  Guests are welcome up to the high-tide line, and asked to respect that birds are nesting in the interior. Horseshoe crabs, herons, oyster catchers, egrets, pipers, plovers, osprey, and cormorants are just some of the wildlife here.  The Fish Islands are formed of bedrock, rather than the more malleable glacial deposits that formed the nearby Norwalk Islands, and are startlingly unchanged from the 1850s.  $45 adults, $35 kids. 

Farm Creek (2.5 hours) Kayak

Join our guides on a paddle up this beautiful tidal estuary and support the Norwalk Land Trust's effort to preserve the area.  The paddle takes about 2.5 hours as we depart Five Mile River and paddle around the bays to Wilson Point and head into Farm Creek.  At high tide you can paddle all around the creek in very still waters and be treated to a variety of wildlife - even deer have been seen to swim across it (though not while kayakers are in the water).  $55 adults, $45 kids. 

Gorham Pond, Darien (4 hours) Kayak

The coves and shoreline from Rowayton into Darien is stunning.  Of course there are amazing homes to view, but little islands, wildlife sanctuaries, small yacht clubs, town beaches - lots of local delights to explore with a guide.  $65 adults, kids $55.

Sheffield Island (4 hours) Sea Kayak

Another great paddle – in sea kayaks of course, as these are farther afield and really exposed to the winds and boaters.  But, they are real treasures.  Shea you can camp on and has a great shoreline for exploring, and toilets!  Next door is Sheffield, part of the Stewart B. McKinley Wildlife Reserve and home to the historic Sheffield Island Lighthouse.  $65 adults.  Not suited to kids under 16.  Includes docking fee for Sheffield, a tour of the lighthouse, use of the bathrooms, and access to refreshments.