Description: Round-trip! Please contact Joy Cirigliano for reservations (631)766-3075.
Nissequogue River mouth to Paul T. Given Park and return to Nissequogue River mouth – full trip is approximately 11-13miles – one-way is 5.5-6 miles, depending on how many backwater areas we poke into...
The Nissequogue River is a tidal river so it "flows" either north or south, depending on the tide. We will start our trip approximately one hour and a quarter after the 6:49 a.m. low tide at the river's mouth, which is the northern end of the river, by Smithtown Bay. Launch time for those with kayaks will be at 8 a.m. @ Kings Park Bluff. This is a Smithtown resident launch site. By October there is usually no trouble with non-permitted parking or with launching, but if you would prefer to play it safe, or if you need to rent a kayak, there is an additional northern launch site located in Nissequogue River State Park. Parking fees may apply. We will pick up the rest of the group at the Nissequogue River State Park launch site @ 8:30 a.m.
We will search the river mouth's mudflats for waders and early winter waterfowl plus migrants and work our way "up-river" to the tidal river's head at Paul T. Given County Park. Those who would like to do a one-way and are renting kayaks will be able to drop off their kayaks and get portage back to their vehicles with Nissequogue River Canoe and Kayak Rental. Those with their own kayaks will head back "downriver" to their vehicles, or will need to leave an additional car at Paul T. Given Park for self-portage back to kayak and vehicle. It is suggested that at least 2 members be present so that one can wait with kayaks while other collects original vehicle.
Call Joy for more information: (631)766-3075.
The high tide time for October 8th is at 1p.m., so we will be paddling against the tide for part of the return trip. We should be back to Nissequogue River State Park between 2 and 3 p.m. (unless we decide to stop for pizza, Acai Bowls, or other snacks at San Remo's Linda's Riverside Pizzaria & Café: https://www.lindasriversidepizzeriacafe.com/ )
For those needing kayak rentals, please contact Linda @ Nissequogue River Canoe and Kayak Rentals. Reservations are required on weekday trips at this time of the year at (631)979-8244 or she can be texted at (631) 219-4887 between 7:30a.m. and 3 p.m. for any additional information needed. Joy has received the okay to have an earlier launch time – the usual launch time for Oct 8th is 10 a.m. Please advise her that you are part of the Four Harbors Audubon group. This is the web-site: http://canoerentals.com/index.htm