South Carolina
Kayak the Lowcountry
Program No. 12440RJ
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Kayak the Lowcountry
Kayak the Lowcountry
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Participant Reviews
Based on 39 Reviews
SHOWING
My 8th time doing this trip and I hope to go back again! Lovely setting to stay in, nice accommodations, great meals, excellent instructors. Highly reccommended.
— Review left November 24, 2025
This is a must-do program if you enjoy kayaking. You'll be in a different environment each day. The leaders are great, and the food, lodging and surroundings can't be beat. We have done this program 8 times and look forward to doing it again.
— Review left November 22, 2025
This is an excellent program, from location, to guides, to lodging. Note- there are two different programs with the same name, and its near impossible to tell from the website. You need to call and ask! I attended the beginner program. We paddled 2-4hrs each day. In the other hours we visited tourist spots and learned about the local culture. The advanced program mostly has long paddle days. I physically could have done the longer days but since this was my first visit, I loved the balance.
Days started with an early walk, then a trip somewhere..some learning, then a bag lunch and a paddle. The leaders, Elizabeth and Matt are quite expert and kept us moving and safe.
We went to different places every day based on the weather conditions. Elizabeth spent a lot of time examining the wind and tides. It all worked out wonderfully.
The cottages are incredibly comfortable, and Jan and her team fed us very well. It's a wonderful place to stay.
Again, if you're interested in doing this program, think about which level you want to be in and ask if you have the right dates. Also, pay attention to the level of fitness and descriptions. You need to be able to get in and out of unstable boats. And your feet will get wet, even if its cold!
Currently, Road Scholar used to offer a watercolor class at this location. I would go back in a heartbeat if that were offered again. It's such a wonderful environment
— Review left November 17, 2025
I highly recommend kayaking in the low country. Each day we paddled in a different ecosystem and learned so much. Our guides were both compassionate, knowledgeable and went above and beyond in every way. The accommodation and meals were outstanding. I highly recommend the program. I am an experienced kayaker and attended the “ challenging” option which was just right for me.
— Review left April 11, 2025
This was a fun trip. The food and accommodations were great and the hosts and instructors could not have been more helpful. If you are a novice or experienced kayaker, this trip is first rate. We learned correct paddle techniques, the right type of paddle to use and the instructors, April and Elizabeth were very patient and informative and moved you around to different kayaks to see which was best for you. When confronted with a rainy day, they came up with fun places to go and made the overall experience one to remember.
— Review left November 14, 2024
This is our second time at Life Tides paddling with April and Elizabeth. This time we brought friends who are not regular kayakers. This level paddle was perfect for them, which made it all the more fun for us. I highly recommend kayaking the low country. There is no need to worry about your ability. It's beautiful, fun, and adventurous, and you'll have a blast!
— Review left November 14, 2024
This is a good program. The entire team is lovely. A complete package.
— Review left November 9, 2024
Of the thirteen programs I have participated in, this is right up at near the top. I came to love this part of South Carolina as we kayaked and walked through The Low Country. The guides April and Elizabeth are what I have come to love from my best experiences. They are both kind, humorous, informed and available. The food prepared by Jan and Mary was great and the oyster bake was exceptional. Then there is the kayaking which took us to four different environments, as well as early morning walks which were a special time to watch the gorgeous sunrises. And of course the program drew some really pleasant participants! Thank you RS.
— Review left April 3, 2024
It was a great trip. We could not have asked for better leaders for the trip-April and Elizabeth. From them, we learned a lot about kayaking and the history of the Low country. Since I am currently obtaining my Master Naturalist for Alabama, we learned that coastal SC is similar to areas of South Alabama. The other participants in the group were friendly and as eager to learn as were were. The home we stayed in were the best and it was like being our own home-anything you needed was there. On a scale of one to ten, this trip rated a 10. Bobbi and Paul
— Review left March 31, 2024
I highly recommend Kayaking the Lowcountry, especially with guides April Childress and Elizabeth Anderegg. We kayaked in a variety of locations and the experience was greatly enhanced by our guides' extensive knowledge of the nature, history and culture of the area. The accommodations were excellent - not at all the "often basic, no-frills" situation described in the catalog.
— Review left March 31, 2024
Overall my wife and I enjoyed our kayaking trip to the low country. The food was excellent. We particularly enjoyed the the shrimp boil, oyster bake, and the breakfasts. We appreciated how the cooks accommodated our dietary preferences. The living quarters were fine. Our cottage was comfortable and our Internet connection worked fine. The kayaking itself was far less challenging than we expected. Our guide stopped often for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to look at birds. This turned out to be more of a bird watching trip than a kayaking trip.The waterways were fine as was the kayak instruction. We also enjoyed the Gullah basket sewers. We got to see a prescribed burn in the forest and learn about the life cycle of the long leaf pine. So overall we enjoyed the experience, but wished the kayaking was more rigorous.
— Review left March 30, 2024
April & Elizabeth were great leaders, and Jan handled the facilities and meals in style. Loved the variety of waterways we paddled on - especially threading thru the marsh grasses, and paddling in a beautiful swamp. Loved to see different plants and birds at each location - and April & Elizabeth did a great job of identifying what we were seeing. The rookery in Port Royal was outstanding. The demonstration of Gullah basket weaving, and information about Gullah culture and history was another high point (and I'm going to enjoy the beautiful basket I bought from them).
The cottage I stayed in was comfortable, quiet, and well furnished. Meals were delicious. We travelled in comfort in a small bus, skillfully driven by April. I would be very happy to do another kayaking trip with April and Elizabeth.
— Review left March 24, 2024
This was my first experience with a Road Scholar program. This trip exceeded my expectations. The activity choices, the educational instruction, the accommodations and the food were all very well done. I highly recommend this trip for beginner and intermediate kayakers who want to develop a greater appreciation of the history and ecology of the amazing low country.
— Review left March 22, 2024
Every part of this program was a hit. I loved the activities and our fabulous guides (April and Elizabeth). The accommodations at LifeTides were much nicer than I expected. Our cottage was lovely and very comfortable. The meals were excellent. Jan and Andy went above and beyond the call of duty to accommodate dietary restrictions and preferences. We learned a ton about the history, culture and ecology of the area. I'm not surprised that several of the guests had returned to repeat this program. It's that good.
— Review left November 29, 2023
This was a terrific trip on so many levels. The setting was so lovely, and the accommodations so comfortable. I had no idea what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised by the modern home with two bedroom suites. My husband and I had one room, and the other room was occupied by two fellow travelers. We appreciated the washer & dryer. Food was fresh,
healthy and well-prepared. Most importantly, the daily kayaking adventures were fantastic--the waterways were gorgeous and sometimes challenging. But our guides, April and Elizabeth, were always available for instruction. I learned a lot about maneuvering the kayak that I will use when paddling in the future. I would recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys kayaking and wants to experience the waterways of the South Carolina Low Country.
— Review left November 21, 2023
I highly recommend the Road Scholar program "Kayak the Low Country" to anyone who loves to eat fabulous food, kayak beautiful South Carolina Low Country rivers, swamps, marshes, and even the Intracoastal Waterway, and hang out with great people, this is the program for you!
— Review left November 20, 2023
This is a super program. If you're a kayaker, you will enjoy the varied day trips: black water rivers, tidal influenced salt water bays, cypress and tupelo swamps, salt marshes. Each day is different. The excursions depend upon weather, tide and group ability.
The food and accommodations are wonderful. Upscale cottages with kitchens, laundry and ensuite bathrooms. Plus most have views over the marsh. Great sunrises.
This is a program worth doing again and again....and again.
— Review left November 12, 2023
This tour is one of the best. The kayaking opportunities, the cottage accommodations, the knowledge of the guides, and the top notch gourmet food exceeded my expectations.
— Review left November 11, 2023
My wife and I have enjoyed many Road Scholar trips, and Kayak the Lowcountry ranks as one of the very best. The accommodations were excellent. The meals were quite good, with some exceptional highlights, such as a lowcountry boil and roasted cluster oysters. The staff of the Life Tides Institute, headed by Jan, worked tirelessly to provide us a comfortable stay. My highest plaudits go to the group leaders, April and Elizabeth, who went above and beyond in providing us a truly wonderful kayaking experience. We gained a deeper appreciation of this unique part of America in terms of its scenery, nature, history and culture. Thanks to April and Elizabeth we became better kayakers. For us there was only one caveat: The Life Tides Institute is in a beautiful location; however, it is some distance from the Savannah airport and ground transportation tends to be expensive or difficult to secure. Nonetheless, I highly recommend Kayak the Lowcountry and can only imagine that the other Road Scholar tours from this location are marvelous.
— Review left November 6, 2023
This is fabulous kayaking trip (4 different waterways), good equipment, with 2 great smart and entertaining guides (April and Elizabeth), a beautiful lodging, and wonderful food! If you kayak, or think you might like to kayak, sign up!
— Review left October 30, 2023
We kayaked in 4 different, but equally beautiful environments. I never knew before how beautiful the marshes are! We did some fun sightseeing and I enjoyed learning about the history of the area, and the Gullah culture. The food and accomodations were absolutely incredible - first class!
— Review left October 26, 2023
Kayak the Lowcountry has got to be one of my favorite RS trips ever! We had the perfect combination of guides, hosts, accommodations, and participants. Not only did I learn more about kayaking, but I also learned quite a bit about the Low Country that I did not know. Each day really was a new adventure! From the time we got up to the moment we returned to our cabin ( pleasantly fatigued), we were on the water -creeks, intercostal waterways, and swamps. In-between, we saw a beautiful Civil war-era church, visited Beaufort, and managed a few early morning walks to catch the sunrise. I cannot say enough good things about our expert guides who kept us laughing and encouraged us as we paddled. One of the best aspects of this trip was the Life Center where we stayed. The cabins were roomy with a kitchen, a laundry, and a wing on the front porch from which to view the early morning sunrise. Meals were outstanding! Our hosts went out of their way to provide delicious farm-to-table foods ( be sure to sample the French toast at breakfast.)--including a surprise oyster roast our last night. I loved this trip! I think anyone who enjoys being out in nature will love it, too!
— Review left October 23, 2023
Plan on kayaking 4 distinctive (and even magical) settings, while also learning about the history and culture of the Low Country (does your local Sherwin Williams carry "Haint Blue"?). Enjoy delicious Low Country cuisine at breakfast and dinner, while staying at luxurious fully-outfitted vacation cottages. Meet a master craftsman, whose sweetgrass baskets are in the Smithsonion. Of the 3 RS kayaking tours I have taken, this is my favorite, and I hope to return in the future to try the "Challenging" version.
— Review left October 22, 2023
This was a terrific experience. April and "kayak Andy" acted as kayaking guides and instructors as well as remarkable weather and tide forecasters. We had all perfect days with locations and timing adjusted so that we had wonderful water to navigate in each unique environment.
Jan and Andy ("cook Andy" this time) ran a tight ship, but easily and very pleasantly accommodated our schedule varying with the tides. The food was plentiful, varied, and delicious. They went out of their way to include both different tastes and anything we asked to avoid.
The housing was also great. Naturally it was clean, but also well kept, decorated, and home comfortable. The neighborhood is quiet and full of friendly people and wildlife (except for the occasional possibly irritable alligator.)
You should go.
— Review left October 10, 2023
A variety of habitats to kayak, knowledgeable leader, very comfortable accommodations, fabulous food, and a great group of people made this a wonderful trip!
— Review left October 9, 2023
This was a great trip! The food was absolutely delicious. and our guides, April and Bob were wonderful. The diversity of the paddles, the birding and the historical side trips were absolutely first rate. I would highly recommend this trip for new and intermediate paddlers.
— Review left June 1, 2023
If you want to get started in kayaking or improve your skills, try this trip. Paddling on calmer waters allows a peaceful, structured set of excursions out in nature. We paddled on a marshy lake, a creek, a river and the sound, a diverse learning experience. Listen to birdsongs, enjoy the sunshine and excellent healthy food, all made from scratch. Vegetarian like me? No problem! In addition to kayaking, we learned a lot about the history of the coastal Lowcountry of SC. It was a special treat to see a demonstration and talk to the weavers of Gullah baskets. Lodging was spacious and comfortable amongst a small, rural, quiet neighborhood near water and away from tourist areas. However, one excursion involved traveling to Beaufort, a lovely historical town on the waterfront. Another + is a small (12) group size, very nice folks to be around as RS trips usually are. April and Bob were excellent trip leaders, a good team. His extensive birding skills and knowledge were valuable to us for learning about the area birds.
— Review left May 28, 2023
This program is great for kayaking beginners. You will learn how to manage a kayak easily and will have many chances to practice in different water environments. The accommodations provided by the LifeTides Institute are outstanding. The rooms were really spacious and comfortable but, more importantly, the meals were fantastic!
— Review left May 18, 2023
This is a fantastic program. The Life Tides Institute was a great location for this program. The environment was very peaceful & very lo country South Carolina. The organizers and instructors were all top notch. Thoroughly enjoyed the entire program and the diversity of water habitats was outstanding. I would highly recommend this program.
Great kayaking, great environmental awareness, great lo country diversity of habitats, great location.
— Review left May 16, 2023
I highly recommend Kayaking Carolina Low Country. Life Tides Institute provided spacious & lovely accommodations, fabulous good, terrific knowledgeable guides, and well maintained equipment. Our guides April & Elizabeth shared their kayaking expertise, their extensive knowledge of the marshes and waterways, as well colorful historical details about the Low Country. This program was one of the best we have participated in over the years. 10 Stars!!
Karen Wolfskehl
— Review left May 1, 2023
A great experience that started with southern hospitality combined with great food, lodging and hosts. Add that to the beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry estuaries presented to us by our experienced guide and environmentalist that shared with us the history and the environmental aspects of the South Carolina Lowcountry. We learned about the different type/styles of kayaks, maintenance and were able to try different kayaks. The evening programs were very informative. We high recommend this trip!!!
Cathy and Bill
— Review left April 28, 2023
One of the best Road Scholar experiences, so far. Lodging and meals were first rate. A nice group of like-minded people and the leaders, April and Elizabeth were extremely knowledgeable and personable. The kayaking was different each day and the instructors took the time to explain paddling techniques. They also had a good variety of kayaks, and switched them up during the week to better fit the paddler. It was a fun trip that I would like to do again.
— Review left April 28, 2023
Kayaks and equipment were in excellent shape with enough different styles to accommodate all participants.
— Review left April 24, 2023
Super paddling experience that I got to share with like-minded folks, both kayakers and birders. Friendly, knowledgeable hosts, guides, and instructors. Best accommodations and vegetarian-friendly meals of any of the Road Scholar Trips I've done so far. I highly recommend this trip!
— Review left April 22, 2023
There are stunningly beautiful landscapes and waterscapes. Life Tides is a wonderful housing accommodation with comfortable rooms and delicious meals. The guides were informed, friendly, and welcoming. Even if weather cut short some of our kayaking, guides came up with inventive, interesting, revealing trips and activities in the area to compensate when our 4 days of kayaking became 2 days instead. But we loved the trips to Beaufort, including the museums, bookstores, distillery and other activities. Evening presentations were delightful, especially the Gullah basket weavers. We've now done four RS kayaking trips--Lower Columbia River (in the northwest), Eastern Shore/Chesapeake, Acadia NP, and this Low Country SC. Each was unique. All were wonderful. Kayaking the low country marshes, estuaries, rivers and sea gave us a delightful and memorable encounter with this part of the world. --Ben and Joyce Wiley (FL)
— Review left December 1, 2019
Had a great time Kayaking a variety of waters each day. The lunch stops were fun and interesting each day. The accomodations and food were excellent, we were well fed and slept well the entire trip. The weather was perfect; it was a super, active vacation!
— Review left May 20, 2019
If you only can do one trip and like kayaking, I strongly recommend that you go on this trip in North Carolina. Make sure that your instructors are Andy and Cina. The trip I attended was a 10+ from beginning to end. Everything was great: the location,facilities,food,instructors,participants,weather, and the trips to a variety of bodies of water (swamp, creek, river, historical rice fields). The evening presentations were outstanding and if you are a birder, you may add to your life list. You'll learn new kayaking skills and Southern history. I hope you have as much fun as I did.
— Review left May 17, 2019
I wasn't sure what to expect, but it surpassed 'what I hoped' ... I'd recommend it highly- but I sure wish they'd get the 'Directions' right...I spent a good hour 'wandering' around...
— Review left May 2, 2019
This was a wonderful, relaxing experience with just the right amount of challenge. The instructors, Andy and Cina Smith, were warm and encouraging. They were in tune with the interests and needs of the group and planned a variety of kayak trips and other outings. The hosts, Jan and Andy, went above and beyond in providing outstanding accommodations and meals. The cottage was charming, super clean, and spacious. The hosts offered a variety of delicious, wholesome meals that often reflected the tradition of the area. We kayaked areas unlike any other part of the country while getting instruction on technique as needed. The presentation on birds of prey was my favorite evening program.
— Review left April 19, 2019