Adventure Like a Cape Cod Local
SUPfari Adventures offers the most unique kayak and paddleboard tours in New England. Launching from the picturesque Arey’s Pond Boat Yard in South Orleans, Massachusetts, SUPfari’s typical two- to three-hour tour paddles around the pond, down the scenic Namequoit River, and enters the magnificent Little Pleasant Bay. Whether on kayak or paddleboard, this guided tour is one of the Cape’s best-kept secrets and is definitely worth checking out. With tours running from June to October, here are five reasons to adventure with SUPfari this summer.
1. The Location
A landing spot for boats of all types since the 1600s, Arey’s Pond and the Arey’s Pond Boat Yard (A.P.B.Y) have been the home base of SUPfari Adventures since 2017. Sheltered and accessible, Arey’s Pond is a fantastic place to get your feet wet with kayaking or paddleboarding.
The A.P.B.Y’s world-renowned catboats add character to the pond. Historically used for fishing and coastal transportation, the single-masted catboats were commonly used near-shore sailboats along the Cape and around New England from the 1850s to the early 1900s. Now a popular pleasure boat, A.P.B.Y makes a variety of catboats on site, with many moored around the pond. Keep your eyes peeled for the distinctive boats—look for the tell-tale single mast set well-forward in the bow—as you're moving around the boat yard, both on foot and in the water.
2. The Wildlife
Once you’re on the water, the wildlife abounds. Arey’s Pond is a nesting ground for Osprey, and while out on a tour it is common to see an Osprey dive from the sky and grab a fish out of the water. According to Luke Foley, the lead guide for SUPfari and a TWR contributor, spotting the local cormorants, swans, and Blue Heron is also fairly common.
The pond also has two resident seals—Steven Sealburg and Sealena Gomez. Both are very curious and will follow the tour around the pond. Paddleboarders beware, they’ll occasionally pop out right in front of a paddler to say hi.
In addition to the seals, large schools of pogies—a nickname for the Atlantic Menhaden—live in the pond. It is not uncommon to see them surfacing around Arey’s Pond as you paddle toward the start of the Namequoit River.
3. The Destination
Your ultimate destination on the tour is Little Pleasant Bay. From 5,000-year-old Native American settlements to Pilgrims to pirates, the bay is overflowing with history.
As well, Little Pleasant Bay sits on the backside of Nauset Beach, which in addition to being one of the best beaches on the Cape is the only spot in the United States that received enemy fire during World War One. The July 21, 1918, skirmish—known as the Battle of Orleans—initially pitted a German U-Boat against a barge-towing tugboat, with several of the U-Boat’s shells exploding on Nauset Beach.
4. The Sharks
According to Luke, the BIG QUESTION everyone asks about the tour is will they see a Great White. And his typical answer is “no,” as there haven’t been any Great White sightings in Arey’s Pond, the Namequoit River, or the inner bay. But, as Luke explains, it’s still pretty easy to get caught up in shark mania, as “once you reach Little Pleasant Bay, you will definitely see the shark spotter planes circling over Nauset Beach.”
5. The Glow Tours
For those looking for a truly unique experience, don’t miss the SUPfari Glow Tours. With illuminated kayaks and paddleboards, glow tours are the ultimate way to spend a summer evening on the water. Just flick on the lights under your boat and paddle into the darkness. An awesome experience awaits!
So if you’re on the Cape this summer, adventure like a local and join SUPfari for a tour. The season starts in June and runs through October. And don’t forget to tell them that we sent you.
Words by Doug Martland. Photos by Luke Foley.
