FINDING US & GETTING STARTED
 

Where is Woods & Waters located?

We're in the Eastern Upper Peninsula's Les Cheneaux Islands — nestled along northern Lake Huron and anchored by the small communities of Hessel and Cedarville. Close enough to the major tourist hubs to be convenient, far enough away to be genuinely uncrowded.
 

30 minutes from St. Ignace · 45 minutes from Sault Ste. Marie (the Soo) · 1 hour 15 minutes from Petoskey · 1.5 hours from Tahquamenon Falls · 2 hours from Munising
 

Directions and a map are on our Hours & Directions page.
 

What time do I show up?

Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled trip or rental time — we'll use that time to fit gear and take care of any final paperwork.
 

What should I bring? What should I wear?

A positive attitude, a water bottle, and drinking water are the essentials for every trip. We can refill water bottles with reverse-osmosis filtered water at the shop.
 

Full packing lists by activity — including overnight and multi-day — are on our Get Ready page.
 

How much are rentals?

Current rates — half-day, full day, and multi-day— are can be seen on our Rental Rates page (prices shown with sales tax and fees)..

 

THE EXPERIENCE

​

Why should we take a guided kayaking tour?

We wrote about this honestly — and we think you'll find it worth the read.
[The case for taking a guided kayak tour →]
 

What trips and tours do you offer?

Our website covers each trip in detail. Tours range from 2-hour guided kayak tours, overnight camping adventures, to multi-day women-only trips — on the water, on foot, or both. Browse our adventures to find what fits your group and your schedule.
 

What trips are available and who are they suitable for?

Once on the water, guided trips range from 2 hours to multiple days. We're confident you can find something that fits.
 

• Most trips work well for all ability levels.
   

• For families with children between 5 and 12, we use tandem boats with the child in front and a stronger paddler in back. We recommend starting with the Little Dipper.
   

• If you have an odd-numbered party, a second guide may be available to paddle a tandem. 
   

• Need a different time, day, or have a specific idea in mind? We can build something custom — contact us.
   

How large can a guided tour group be? Will others join our group?

For most tours, group sizes are limited to either 5 people in solo kayaks or 5 boats per guide (up to 10 people using tandem). We can accommodate larger groups by assigning additional guides. If you have a large group, call ahead so we can plan accordingly and make sure we have the right staff and boats available.
 

Any non-custom trip may include participants outside your group. Let us know if anyone in your party has needs that might be a consideration in a mixed-household group.
 

Do you offer group rates?

Many of our trips are priced per person and the per-person rate goes down the more people are in your party — so bringing a full group is already a good deal. For larger groups requiring additional guides or custom planning, give us a call for group pricing.

Do you offer a discounted rate for kids?

Rather than a separate kids' rate, our per-person pricing goes down the more people are in your party — which naturally works in a family's favor. Select your trip and party size on the booking page to see current pricing.
 

Can I hire a guide for a custom or private experience?
Yes — if you have a specific project or request in mind that doesn't fit our standard tour schedule, we offer a Guide-For-Hire option. This is ideal for writers, photographers, naturalists, researchers, guests needing special accommodations, or anyone with a focused purpose on the water that would be better served without other guests along for the ride.
 

Guide-For-Hire rates are based on actual trip length — contact us to talk through what you have in mind.
 

Can I use my own kayak on a guided tour?

Maybe — we'd need to know about your boat first to make sure it's suitable for the water and the trip. If it's compatible we'll reduce your trip cost. Easiest to sort this out over the phone. You're also welcome to bring your own PFD and paddle, though we use high-quality gear in our operations and you won't find a square orange life jacket or aluminum-shafted paddle anywhere near our boats.
 

Why do so many trips start in the morning?

Because Lake Huron is at its best in the morning. Daily winds on the Great Lakes typically build through late morning and ease again as the sun drops. Earlier starts mean calmer water, better light, and a more enjoyable paddle. Sunset trips work for the same reason in reverse — winds settle as the evening comes on.
 

If you need a different time of day, reach out and we'll do our best. And if you're not afraid of early — book a sunrise paddle.
 

What will we see?

That depends on the trip, the time of year, and the time of day — but the eastern Upper Peninsula is genuinely rich in biodiversity. Shorelines, muskegs, streams, alvars, deciduous forests, rocky ledges, cedar swamps. Multiple Little Traverse Conservancy and Nature Conservancy preserves. Eagles, ospreys, warblers. Freighters passing just outside the islands. Boathouses and cottages from the early 20th century. A direct connection to Aldo Leopold. Antique wooden motorboats that make even experienced paddlers stop and stare. There's a lot out there.
 

How far will we go?

As fast as the slowest person — which is how it should be.
 

On the water, we typically cover 2–3 miles per hour depending on conditions. The Little Dipper usually covers 3–6 miles. The Bigger Dipper averages 6–9 miles. A Perfect Picnic Day runs 7–14 miles depending on conditions and how leisurely lunch turns out to be. Mileage tends to surprise people — paddling feels very different from walking and guests are often genuinely amazed when they find out how far they went.
 

On foot, most nature and birding hikes move at a rambling pace — closer to 1–2 miles in two hours, sometimes 3. Full-day hikes on Drummond Island or the North Country Trail are longer and more demanding — plan for 5–9 miles over uneven terrain.
 

Do you offer adaptive paddling?

Woods & Waters genuinely wants everyone on the water — regardless of ability, additional assistance, or accommodation needed. Please reach out so we can discuss what's possible. These trips sometimes require extra planning around weather, staffing, and gear, but we don't charge extra for the additional time or an extra guide if needed.

 

COMFORT & RISKS
 

Are kayaks tippy?

Kayaks are designed to edge on their sides, which makes them easier to turn — and yes, newer paddlers can unintentionally tip over. We carry multiple boat styles including super-stable tandems, and we match boats to paddlers based on height, weight, and experience. We spend time on basic skills before anyone leaves shore. We can't guarantee nobody ever tips, but having a guide with you means someone is watching out for you and knows exactly what to do if the unexpected happens.
 

Will I be cold?

We provide wetsuits when water temperatures call for it, and paddling is an active pursuit — you'll warm up faster than you expect. Even on cooler days, the PFD acts like a vest and the movement keeps you going. Layering is always smart in Michigan regardless of the activity. Our sea kayaks have hatches for stowing extra layers — just put them in a waterproof bag. If we tell you a wetsuit is needed, it's not negotiable. [Here's why.]
 

Will I be hot?

You're surrounded by water. Dip your hands in, dunk your hat, take a quick dip during a shoreline break. There are options.

​

Do I have to wear a life jacket (PFD)?

Yes. No exceptions. PFDs save lives and most kayaking fatalities happen when people aren't wearing one. PFD stands for "personal flotation device."

​

Why do you ask for height and weight? Are there restrictions?

Boats, bikes, PFDs, and wetsuits all come in different sizes. Knowing your approximate height and weight before you arrive means we can have the right gear ready — which makes your experience considerably better. Think of it like shoe sizing. A boat that fits you well paddles very differently than one that doesn't.

​

Equipment does have varying capacities. We can generally accommodate individuals up to 6'7" tall. Our tandem sea kayaks have a combined weight capacity of 625 pounds; sit-on-top tandems are rated to 550 pounds. Weight ratings don't guarantee comfort or usability at the limits — if you have questions, reach out and we'll talk through it.

​

Will I be safe?

People trust us with their groups, their kids, and their friends — and we take that seriously. We review basic paddling skills before every guided trip, use and rent top-quality equipment, provide and require appropriate gear, maintain CPR and first aid certifications across our guide staff, and follow American Canoe Association guidelines. We can't promise outcomes — nobody can — but we make every decision with your wellbeing as the priority.

​

BOOKING & POLICIES

​

Should we tip our guides? Tip your guide — not your kayak.

Guides take genuine pride in making your adventure memorable and work hard for hours at a stretch — often with just you and your group. Tips aren't required but are deeply appreciated. The range is typically 10–20% of your total trip cost. On multi-day trips, guests sometimes calculate a daily amount and tip on the last day. If your trip has more than one guide, they'll share.

​

What about the weather?

You don't pay if it's not safe to play. Full details on how we handle weather cancellations, refunds, and rescheduling are on our Documents & Policies page.

​

What is your booking and cancellation policy?

Full details are on our Documents & Policies page.

​

Do I need to sign a waiver?

Yes — waivers and a photo release are part of the booking process and available on your client dashboard. Adults sign for any minors in their party. You can review all waivers in advance on our Documents & Policies page.
 

Is Woods & Waters permitted to use public lands?

Yes — we're permitted by the US Forest Service to operate in the Hiawatha National Forest. A portion of your trip fee goes back to the USFS, and we operate in compliance with their regulations, including their non-discrimination policy. Anyone who needs to file a civil rights complaint can find information and an online submission portal here.​