Payment

Are there any extra fees that I will have to pay on top of the listed price?

No, we do not charge any extra fees outside of the federal/provincial Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) 15%. I.E. The listed price is the price you pay plus 15% HST. You can buy a t-shirt if you like, though!

Should I print a receipt to show the tour guide?

It is not necessary to bring a printed paper receipt. We understand that you may not have a printer handy when you’re traveling.

How much does it cost to hire a private tour?

Please contact us as the price is dependent on number of people and tour length. You can reach us at info@pleasantpaddling.com OR by calling us at 1(902)541-9233 .

Preparation

What should I wear?

Some considerations and recommendations about clothing: 1. Wear clothing which is comfortable. Try to choose clothing which will dry quickly and/or wick away moisture & perspiration. For example, cotton denim jeans generally dry very slowly & can wick heat from your body when wet. 2. It is recommended to have water friendly shoes and clothing as you will likely get a little wet or splashed with water. 3. Dress warmer than you might for land conditions as it is often colder & windier on the water. Layers are great for fine tuning your temperature and ensuring you are dry, warm, and comfortable. Check the weather before you arrive! 4. It is important to protect yourself from UV rays even in cloudy or foggy conditions. You will not be sheltered from the sun while on the water, and the sun's rays can be magnified by the water. A hat / sunscreen / sun protection are recommended.

What do I need to bring?

Not much! Recommended: A hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water friendly footwear & clothing, a warm/waterproof layer, and water in a reusable container. If you are bringing a phone with you, please ask us for a dry bag to keep it in! All rentals are required to have a cellphone with them in case of emergency. If you are on a guided tour, your tourguide will keep emergency communication devices for the group.

Do I need any experience to go sea kayaking?

No experience is required to go kayaking but beginners are encouraged to take a guided tour instead of renting a kayak and going out on their own. On a guided tour both on-shore and on the water instruction is provided. Guides are there to answer any questions and for your for safety as well as to share knowledge of the local area, the flora, and fauna.

What age is too young to go kayaking? Too old?

We can take children as young as 4 y.o. and have had adults older than 80 come kayaking with us! Paddlers should be able to remain in a kayak for at least an hour. Double kayaks, with a strong paddler in the back, should be used if there is any question of someone getting tired and not wanting to paddle the whole time. Children between the ages of 4 and 12 must paddle in a double kayak with another paddler over the age of 12.

What is better, a single or double kayak for new paddlers?

This depends on each group of people. Double kayaks are more stable and fast with two paddlers. Even with one person paddling, a double can maintain a good speed and keep up with other paddlers. The drawback is that double kayaks are steered by the paddler in the rear seat and the paddler in the front can feel as if they are along for the ride. Singles are more agile and allow each paddler to have an independence of movement and get the full experience of kayaking.

Will my electronics be safe if I bring them kayaking?

We do not guarantee that electronics will be safe but we have “dry” bags available for for our clients to use.

Reservations

What is your refund and cancellation policy?

You must cancel 72 hours ahead of your scheduled booking for a full refund. With less than 72 hours notice, you will be charged 50% of the cost. If you cancel the booking on the day of the paddle or you don’t show up, the full cost of the booking will be applied to your credit card. We will cancel the booking with no charge the day of the paddle if the conditions are unsafe or miserable (high wind, pouring rain, or thunder and lightning).

Do I have to make a reservation or can I just show up?

Reservations are required for all tours. Reservations help us determine the number of guides we need to ensure that our groups remain manageable and enjoyable. Reservations are also highly recommended for kayak rentals as we cannot guarantee there will be availability if you show up without a reservation. You can make a reservation here on our website, by emailing us at info@pleasantpaddling.com, or by calling us at 1(902)541-9233.

Weather

Are we going paddling even though it is raining and/or windy?

We do kayak in the rain, wind and fog. After all, we’re going on an adventure! If the weather is unsafe for any reason, the trip will be cancelled or postponed. You will be notified the day of the tour if we feel it is unsafe. There will be no charge if we cancel the tour. We will cancel tours for wind over 50km/h, if it is pouring rain and forecast to continue for most of the tour and if thunder and lightning are in the area.

What if it's foggy; will we still go out?

Our tours will go out in the fog (we call them viking tours as we stay within sight of land the whole time) but rentals cannot go paddling until the fog lifts unless they are very confident about navigating with their phone’s GPS and map. We never know when the fog will lift so kayak renters should have patience on foggy days.

LOCATION

245 The Point Road
Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia