Get Out & Kayak To Cockenoe Island Bird Estuary
Get Out & Kayak To Cockenoe Island Bird Estuary
BRING A FRIEND! ADD 1 MORE FOR AN AUTOMATIC 10% OFF YOUR RESERVATION 🙌
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It's pronounced "koh-KEE-nee" or "kuh-kee-nee". Or if you're from Connecticut, "kah-kee-nee".
An early rumor about the island was that William Kidd buried a treasure there.
In the 19th century, the island was a working farm with a farmhouse, barn, and livestock.
The business eventually turned into a whisky distillery, which the federal government raided in 1870.
In the 1960s, The United Illuminating Company planned to build a nuclear power plant on Cockenoe.
Due to concerned local residents and the threat of eminent domain, Westport bought the island for $200,000 in 1967.*
And now, you're gonna visit it.
Kayak the stunning Long Island Sound to a private island with a fascinating history that also serves as a bird sanctuary! It'll be your favorite new beach trip this summer.
This trip is rated INTERMEDIATE. You will be in open water.
*Source: Wikipedia.
WHAT TO EXPECT*
- 9:30am Arrive at destination, checkin, fitting, instructions
- 10am Begin trip
- ~11a Arrive on island, explore, lunch
- 12p Return to mainland
- ~1p Conclude trip
*Trip dates and schedule subject to change based on tides and weather.
General Trip Information
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ABOUT YOUR KAYAK
This trip utilizes a fleet of super-stable, super-agile Tucktec roll-up kayaks.
At 9 feet 8 inches (295 cm) they're shorter than touring kayaks, so way more maneuverable.
At 31 inches wide (78 cm) they're just as stable as a hard plastic sit-on-top.
They have a weight capacity of 300 lbs, so you and your gear will be just fine as long as the weight is distributed evenly in front of you and behind you. It's actually very difficult to flip one over and the construction prevents water from coming inside.
At 28 lbs, they're also about half the weight of a regular kayak meaning that you'll go faster and farther with each stroke of your paddle and you're less likely to get stuck in low tide conditions.
Finally, the materials used for the hull of the boat are durable enough to withstand direct impact with metal objects but soft enough to allow you to feel the water beneath you.
You will be given a review on how to use your kayak and safety equipment. You will also be given a basic demonstration/refresher on how to paddle in a kayak.
Reserve a kayak with your reservation and go where others can't.
PICKUPS
Roundtrip shuttle is available for this trip.
Pickup times depend on total number of pickups for your trip, where you're going for your trip and type of trip you've signed up.
As a result, there are no standard pickup times, but you can get approximate times via the chatbox.
YOU WILL RECEIVE EXACT PICKUP TIMES AND LOCATIONS VIA WELCOME EMAIL AFTER YOU'VE MADE YOUR RESERVATION AND 72 HRS PRIOR TO YOUR TRIP. These pickup times are final. You'll be able to select your pickup time and location only by replying to that email.
Here's how to reserve a pickup for any Outerthere trips you reserve:
These are our primary pickups: North Astoria on Ditmars, Downtown Brooklyn near Junior's Restaurant, Midtown East on 63rd, Washington Heights on 181st and Ft. Wash, and The Grand Concourse and East 149th in the Bronx.
In addition, we can also accommodate requests near these primary pickups and along our route. We've picked up in Harlem, Fort Lee, New Rochelle and even Stamford, depending on where we're going and when you make your reservations.
But don't let the map fool you. As close as all these pickups appear, it takes a full 2 hours to pickup at every stop. So, we don't pick up at every stop every time.
We pre-determine our pick up route based on the address you use when you make a reservation. Then, you can either request your pickup by replying to the Welcome email prior to your trip or when you indicate your preferred pickup in your Safety Information Form. You can also request your pickup via the chat box on the website or even DM'ing here on IG.
Our route may change and our schedule gets adjusted, but the point is that our hosts are at your service to make joining us on trips as easy as possible.
So next time you get a Welcome email and don't see your preferred pickup, just request it!
ABOUT OUR SHUTTLE SERVICE
We rely on 15-seat passenger vans with 460 cubic feet of interior space and 7-seat minivans with 144 cubic feet of interior space for our shuttle trips.
They're able to go places where larger vehicles cannot and provide a more comfortable experience at a lower cost for our small groups.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- The interiors of our vehicles are cleaned and sanitized before every trip by your driver who is also your host.
- Everyone's temperature will be taken before entering.
- Face coverings will also be enforced during your ride.
- And weather permitting, we also keep our windows open (there are 2 in the front and 2 small ones in the back) for circulation.
- Finally, based on everyone's comfort level, we limit capacity to 5 per minivan, 10 per passenger van.
If you have any questions or concerns about our shuttle rentals, don't hesitate to ask using the chat box below.
FAQs
Can I cancel my shuttle ride after I've reserved it? As you may already know, we have an awesome refund & cancellation policy and your shuttle fee will be refunded instantly upon request, no questions with advanced notice.
However, if you change your mind on the day of your pickup or if your temperature is too high the day of your ride and you are not permitted to enter our vehicle by your host, we unfortunately will not be able to refund you.
And hey, it's OK if you do not feel comfortable for any reason, and we won't take offense if you do not feel comfortable in our vehicles for any reason.
ABOUT TRIP RATINGS
Guidance by Outerthere, Updated August 2023
PACE
Everyone goes at their own pace and regardless of the pace you're on, you will never get left behind or be made to feel as though you’re slowing down your group. Whether you’re coming out for fitness or to just enjoy nature, the pace of the group can accommodate you.
BEGINNER
Beginner trips and activities are for anyone physically active at least one to three times per week, including kids ages 5+.
Beginner hiking trips, for example, may cover 0 to 3 miles in distance where you will be walking across unpaved, natural terrain anywhere between 2 to 4 hours with plenty of breaks or an experience will include basic training.
Elevation is within 1,000 feet. And some features may require you to use your hands for leverage, balance, and even getting up or down.
Beginner trips are generally labeled "Easy" or "Beginner-friendly" and in the case of water-based trips (i.e. kayaking), will be on calmer lakes and slow moving rivers. For beginner camping trips, we may go from trailhead to campground without backpacking.
Regardless of the pace you're able to keep, you will not be left behind and will be supported with demonstrations or other instruction until you're comfortable performing the basic activity.
Beginner trips are recommended for anyone who little-to-no experience, but wants to get more acquainted with that activity.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Like Beginner trips, but with more consideration to kids and pets. (For example, other parents/nannies will be present and are happy to support your kid, expect activities your kids will enjoy, baby changing stops and areas are considered, area is walkable with carrier or stroller).
INTERMEDIATE
Intermediate trips are a bit more challenging than Beginner trips, but completely doable for anyone active 3 to 5 times per week, including pre-teenagers.
An Intermediate trip may cover 3 to 7 miles, during which you'll be moving anywhere between 4 to 8 hours with breaks.
If you're participating in an Intermediate trip, you will be expected to have had some basic experience with this activity. You may already own some gear and/or equipment specifically designed for the activity and will be OK with unexpected weather.
And you may even be asked to support Beginners transitioning up to Intermediate.
Elevation is within 3,000 feet. And some features may require you to use your hands for leverage, balance, and even getting up or down. You'll feel it in your calves, quads, hams, shoulders, back, and arms next day.
Intermediate water-based trips (i.e. kayaking, rafting) generally assume you're comfortable in open water and/or with fast-moving water. Although you don't have to know how to swim, if you're participating in an Intermediate trip, it's recommended.
You will need to focus and stay alert at all times for your safety.
When you’re done, you may say to yourself you’ll never do a trip like that again, but afterwards, you’ll look forward to the next one.
These trips are recommended for anyone interested in stepping up their outdoor game or anyone about to start a training program.
ADVANCED
Advanced is intended for anyone (including teenagers) who is active almost every day and could probably put together their own trip, but prefers going in a group with other Advanced fam.
They may cover 7 or more miles during which you'll be moving 8+ hours. Destinations, elevation and weather will be challenging.
If you're participating in an Advanced trip, you will be expected to have had some basic experience with this activity. You may already own all gear and/or equipment specifically designed for the activity and are knowledgeable with how to use it.
Advanced water-based trips (i.e. kayaking, rafting) will require you to comfortable in all types of water. You should know how to swim.
These trips are recommended for anyone thinking about DIY trips and need some additional guidance, anyone training to do epic, multi-day treks, and/or anyone interested in mixing up their normal weekly workout.
IMPORTANT HEAD UP ABOUT ADVANCED PACE: Please be aware that some fam will attend a trip convinced that they are prepared for an Advanced trip, including maybe you. However, they may have discovered on that trip that they are not as Advanced as they expected. That is perfectly normal and in no way reflects a miscommunication or misunderstanding by anyone. Like it says in Welcome emails, sh_t happens and your trip host can manage.
If that's the case, and you or someone else on your trip is having a challenging time, other fam may be asked to support anyone who is having a challenging time maintaining an Advanced pace. This can mean that someone is going at a slower pace due to injury, dehydration, affected mental state, anything. In any case, trips are safe spaces and no one will be made to feel as though they are being a burden or left behind.
SCOUTING
Scouting trips are meant for us to "test the adventure" (like breaking gadgets on purpose to see if they'll hold up to regular use) and figure out all the risks before planning a safe adventure for everyone else.
That said, since we won't always know what to expect, sometimes these scouting trips are very easy and even boring.
Or they are very challenging and extremely dangerous. We won't know until we try it.
Either way, they're fun for anyone who has already participated in Intermediate or Advanced trips, are open to anything and don't mind the unexpected inconveniences (weather, car issues, whatever) that come up on the way to a new experience.
These trips are recommended for anyone with advanced outdoor skills, lots of experience in the outdoors and a variety of outdoor gear.
DISCLAIMER
TIME, DATE & DESCRIPTIONS POSTED HERE ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE FOR ANY REASON. Details regarding your trip will be emailed to you after you book.