Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Murrells Inlet is a great area to explore the hidden outdoor treasures around Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Originally a fishing village surrounded by rice plantations, the ocean inlet now includes a national historic district, known for the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk and Brookgreen Gardens. Groups can explore the area in kayaks, on paddleboards or aboard charter boats, all available through area outfitters.
Crazy Sister Marina’s Saltwater Marsh Eco Tour around Murrells Inlet explores the salt marshes with a marine naturalist and is an up-close look at creatures that live below the water’s surface. Guides show passengers how to fish for crabs. They pull up the catch so those on board can see and touch the sea creatures, bringing the aquarium experience outside the walls and into the wild. Groups can also scour beaches for shells and other sea treasures.
Dolphin cruises are another popular option. In addition to dolphins, visitors may also spot turtles, stingrays, ospreys, eagles and herons as they sail along enjoying the beauty of the Myrtle Beach coast.
Coastal Oregon
The Oregon coast is home to the largest expanse of coastal sand dunes in North America, stretching about 40 miles up and down the Pacific shoreline. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is a great choice for travelers who want to get out and try something new, since there are few places in the world where you can sandboard.
The dunes were shaped by millennia of wind and rain erosion, creating a unique look and high peaks that change from day to day. The largest of the dunes, Banshee Hill, is about 500 feet above sea level; others are more gently shaped and the incline is so slight you can easily walk among the rolling sands.
To try sandboarding, stop in at Sand Master Park to rent boards and safety equipment. Groups can take their boards to the dunes just behind the shop or head to other popular spots nearby. Sandboarding is similar to snowboarding or surfing but is much more forgiving since the sand is soft.
For those who just want to strap in and enjoy the ride, a dune buggy tour is in order. Groups are harnessed into large dune buggies that go off road, hopping over the dunes and the shifting landscape.
Boston
Whale watching is a bucket-list experience for many travelers, so an ocean safari to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is sure to be memorable. Boston Harbor Cruises has partnered with Whale Watch at the New England Aquarium to allow groups to see the majestic creatures in their natural habitat as they learn about the whales’ behavior from one of the aquarium’s marine naturalists.
Groups may see large finbacks, shy minkes and the ever-popular humpbacks. In addition to whales, groups are likely to spot dolphins, seals and many types of seabirds during the trip to and from Stellwagen.
Boston Harbor Cruises’ tours of the islands of Boston Harbor Islands State Park provide surreal views of New England’s largest city. Away from the city, the view becomes serene and peaceful, almost as if you’ve stepped into another world. The park’s Spectacle Island is known for its stunning views of the city and beaches that are strewn with sea glass.
Groups on the tour also see the Boston Light, the oldest continuously working lighthouse in the United States, and Fort Warren, a Civil War-era fort.
For those who want a burst of adrenaline and don’t mind getting wet, Codzilla is a fast-paced, thrill-boat ride of turns and splashes that feels like a roller coaster ride on the harbor.
www.bostonharborcruises.com
