There are plenty of ways to enjoy Edenton’s waterfront, but perhaps one of the best is from the seat of a kayak.
Visitors and locals don’t even need to own one. The Town of Edenton offers kayaks, canoes and paddleboards for rent at the harbor, providing an inexpensive and easy way to get out on the water and see Edenton from an entirely different perspective. The Town says the equipment is available daily from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
And the price makes it an outing almost anyone can enjoy. A single kayak rents for just $5 an hour, while a two-person kayak is $7. Canoes are $10 an hour and paddleboards $5. For those looking for a longer adventure, all-day and overnight canoe and kayak options are also available.
Launching from the waterfront puts paddlers alongside some of Edenton’s most familiar landmarks. From the water, the Roanoke River Lighthouse, historic waterfront and shoreline take on a completely different appearance. The Town Harbor specifically promotes the rentals as a way for people to explore both the harbor and neighboring creeks.
One of those waterways is Pembroke Creek, where another kayaking experience awaits.
Pembroke Creek Park, at 716 West Queen Street, includes a boardwalk and dedicated kayak and canoe launch and is open from dawn until dusk. The Pembroke Creek paddling trail winds through several miles of water bordered by mature trees and offers access toward Edenton Bay. It is rated for beginner/intermediate paddlers with an easy-to-moderate difficulty level.
Wednesday evenings have also become a chance for local kayakers to simply get together and enjoy the creek. Last Wednesday, paddlers in bright green kayaks could be seen making their way along Pembroke Creek, enjoying the quieter water, the scenery and one another’s company.
It is an easygoing reminder that kayaking doesn’t have to be a major expedition. Sometimes it is simply an opportunity to get outdoors with friends and spend an hour or two enjoying one of Edenton’s greatest natural assets.
We walk beside the water, dine overlooking it and photograph its sunsets.
Every once in a while, it’s worth picking up a paddle and actually getting out on it.
