>>1421613>>1421796I just moved here from Wilmington, same deal. Holden Beach Park is the easiest launch point from Holden proper. There are a few tidal creeks behind the barrier islands that are nice but you only get a few hours tops before you have to walk out. The wave action is calm enough to paddle off the beaches.
I usually launch off of Holden/OIB. The tides can be temperamental. I've gotten washed into Monks Island before by the incoming current. The Shallotte Inlet is a bastard, boats capsize in there at high tide. Shallotte River is fun if you catch it at the perfect time and have a boat that can tolerate oyster beds. The Cape Fear can also be pretty dangerous. My route has been Holden to Sunset Park and back. It's about 18 miles and you're fighting the current in one direction every time because the current is a constant. My long term goal was to make it to Bald Head or Bird but I haven't gone out to sea because I'm always solo. Lockwood Folly is supposed to be a good run. The best advice I've gotten is to do a two-day camping run of the Waccamaw but that's a long trip. Look a spot up on the map and I can probably give you a run-down on it.
Anyway not much is happening for a few months without dry suits. March is the best time to start looking for a good used kayak but sales in the area never really stop. There are plenty of paddlers out here but they almost refuse to use any tech for meetups of any kind. There's a big gap between Myrtle Beach and Wilmington for that stuff.
