Skip to main content

Paddle Your Way to Masonboro Island

By Amanda DePerro Dec 13, 2019 3:23 PM

Ever wondered how explorers felt looking out a coastline completely free of signs of human life? You can still have that experience when you venture to Masonboro Island on the North Carolina coast, not far from Wilmington. It’s the largest undisturbed barrier island on the southern part of the N.C. coast.

Grab a kayak, canoe, boat or sign up for a guided tour aboard by private carriers, such as the Wrightsville Beach Scenic Tours led by Captain Joe Abbate. The only way to visit Masonboro Island is via the watercraft of your choice. This 8.4-mile long barrier island falls under protection of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System.

Recommended Videos

“It’s the same beach quality the colonists saw and the pirates saw,” said Abbate. “This is a very special place. I’m a poster boy for appreciating Masonboro Island.”

Abbate, who offers a Masonboro Island birding tour as well as other excursions, loves the opportunity to introduce people to the island birds as well as providing conservation awareness about their sensitive habitats. Some of the common species seen here are Brown Pelican, Terns, Gulls, Willets, American Oystercatcher, Black Skimmers and Herons.

The back side of the island has big sand bars making it an optimal habitat for birds like skimmers and terns. Abbate said, “it’s an overall kind of epicenter for wildlife.” In addition, there’s amazing shell diversity on the island.

One participant on one of his tours recently spent five hours combing the island and came up with an impressive collection of shark’s teeth and sea glass. “There are treasures out there, but you can’t do it in ten minutes. You have to be willing to put in some time,” said Abbate.

If you want to glide through the waters in a kayak, Watersmith Kayaking in Wilmington is one of the companies geared toward setting your plan in motion. Along with the bird sightings, you’re also likely to see dolphins flipping in the surf as well as sea turtles. Kayaking tours to Masonboro Island generally range from three to four hours.

For those extra adventurous, take along a pack in your kayak or canoe and stay overnight. Make sure to leave no trace and have all of your personal property removed within 48 hours. Click here for all the rules of Masonboro Island.

Amanda DePerro is a Midwest-based freelance writer and journalist who loves video games, gardening, and true crime. She is a… Read Full Bio

What’s the deal with Bryson DeChambeau? The Open Championship controversy explained

Baseball Cap, Cap, Clothing

It was Ryan Fox who birdied the 18th hole on Sunday to win The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. Despite the electric finish, all anyone’s talking about is Bryson DeChambeau, who was given a two-stroke penalty following Friday’s second round. The penalty has apparently divided the golf community, but the fact remains that DeChambeau’s response to the penalty over the weekend took away from Fox’s triumphant moment. And now, word is that DeChambeau reportedly tried and failed to rope President Donald Trump into said controversy.

The drama unfolded after Friday’s second round, when it seemed DeChambeau finished the day in sole possession of second place with a -7 under score heading into the third round. At least it appeared that way — until the leaderboard was updated to reflect a two-stroke penalty against DeChambeau, after officials claimed he stomped on the grass behind his ball to improve the line of his swing at No. 5. That, officials say, violates Rule 8.1, which states that, in order “to support the principle of ‘play the course as you find it,’ this Rule restricts what a player may do to improve any of these protected ‘conditions affecting the stroke’ (anywhere on or off the course).”

Spain outlasts Argentina to win FIFA World Cup and cap sensational tournament

Celebrating, Person, Clothing

And just like that, Argentina’s luck ran out. Spain’s Ferran Torres emphatically found the back of the net from 8 yards out in extra time to secure La Roja a 1-0 win and the country’s second World Cup. Torres’ goal came in the 106th minute, but don’t let that fool you: this was a one-sided contest from start to finish, and a deeper look at the box score reflects that.

I predicted Spain would beat Argentina, 3-1, and from the start it seemed like that prediction would come to fruition. Spain came out swinging, almost immediately recording two shots on goal, including an early header that came so close to finding the back of the net. Spain’s relentless attack was evident throughout the match. La Roja applied pressure with swift passing and precision shots. Just ask Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez, who seemed to be the only one playing defense, making one spectacular save after another, 11 to be exact.

England-France playing for third place an instant World Cup classic

Head, Person, Face

If you tuned in for the World Cup England-France game and checked out at halftime, nobody would have blamed you. The Three Lions led 4-0 at the half in a third-place game that was a blowout. You would have been right to assume England was in complete control and France had all but given up. You also would have been forgiven for turning off the TV and moving on to the rest of your Saturday. But for those who stuck it out, you were rewarded for your patience and loyalty.

France didn’t waste any time getting on the board just three minutes into the second half with Kylian Mbappé’s first goal of the game. Mbappé’s goal didn’t matter all that much at that point, except if you’ve been following the Golden Boot race. England still held a commanding 4-1 lead, thanks to goals from Declan Rice (3rd minute), Ezri Konsa (18th), and Bukayo Saka’s brace (37th and stoppage time). Saka would complete the hat-trick in the 87th minute with a penalty conversion.