Down the creek (and up it too) WITH a paddle

Sagamore Creek is one of several creeks that empty into the Piscataqua River and ultimately Portsmouth harbor. A small one-story building on Route 1-B is the home for Portsmouth Kayak Adventures. Taking a kayak trip down the Sagamore Creek provides a very different perspective on the strength of the tides in the harbor.

The 2½ hour tour starts when kayaks are put in the water from the ramp.  The aim is to time the tides so that you are going out with the tide and paddling back up the creek with the incoming tide.

Paddling gently down the creek, the shore is teeming with bird life and dotted with the occasional house. Many of the birds are seagulls with some mallards. However,around and between the various islands at the mouth of the creek (which is the entrance to the river), the variety increases.  The guide pointed out a Bald Eagle nest but the family, unfortunately, wasn’t home. On the other side of the island, there were seven Great Blue Herons fishing on the beach. As we approached them, they tookoff in flight and relocated themselves 50 yards further down the beach. This approaching and relocating was repeated twice.

Leaving the islands behind, the kayaks cross “open water” to the entrance to Little Harbor while keeping an eye out for boats entering and exiting the harbor. On the right is the old Navy Prison – a multi-story building presently closed. Prior to that one passed the Marriott Hotel Resort and Day Spa on Newcastle Island. The houses now start to get much bigger. One of the houses had been bought for $10 million, our guide told us.

After passing under a bridge you enter the Little Harbor. From the point of view of the kayak, there is not much that is little about this harbor. Docks are spread over the waterfront with the lobster boats moored beside. Many of the houses are made with shingles and painted bright colors – the classic New England Fishing Village. But seen from a kayak not a large boat!

The return is by a different route. The water is too shallow to allow navigation between the islands. There is a large sandbank crowded with seagulls.

The return did not catch the incoming tide. It was not quite at low tide yet.  This leads to a strenuous upper body exercise. Amazing how strong a 2-3 mile per hour current can be when going against it. Arriving at the ramp, the kayaks are taken out, life jackets returned to their place and the tour is over.

However, right next-door is B.G.s Seafood restaurant. Sitting outside on the balcony, facing downstream, is the best way to enjoy a meal or snack and reflect upon the kayak ride down the creek and into the harbor.