Captain Charles Robbins' Cape Fear River Adventures
Captain Charles Robbins' Cape Fear River Adventures
Captain Charles Robbins' Cape Fear River Adventures
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Captain Charles Robbins' Cape Fear River Adventures
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
34 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Stephan Billod
7 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Captain Charles Robbins takes you through the meanders of the Black River and adjacent swamps to the feet of the old bold cypresses. The organization is simple but extremely efficient and very soon one falls to the slow and steady rythme of the river. The nature is beautiful. It is like a dream. Captain Charles can entertain you with many stories, information and fascinating facts, whether you are an environmentalist to the core or have a simple interest in your surroundings.
I highly recommend this tour and the Captain.
Also noteworthy, all precautions and special attentions required by Covid-19 are respected and enforced for the safety of all.
The 8 hours and 12 miles trip felt like 10 minutes and a quarter mile. It was fantastic!!!
I highly recommend this tour and the Captain.
Also noteworthy, all precautions and special attentions required by Covid-19 are respected and enforced for the safety of all.
The 8 hours and 12 miles trip felt like 10 minutes and a quarter mile. It was fantastic!!!
Written October 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JillKraus
Pittsburgh, PA7 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Our family of five embarked upon a most amazing immersive kayak trip guided by Captain Charles Robbins whose expert knowledge of the region and involvement in the preservation and study of the magnificent bald cypress trees provided for a most enlightening excursion. The beauty of these forests takes ones breath away and whether you are a mad tree hugger or simple lover of nature, the peace and tranquility of these waterways will surely inspire as you paddle this space. Wrap your head around the age of these beautiful trees. It is mind blowing! Captain Robbins is an educator at heart and passionate about our Mother Earth. His recounting of regional history, peppered with stories and tales of a local flavor, all added to a special memory for our family. We expertly navigated the breathtaking three sisters old growth stands with his guidance and are forever grateful for finding our way to this experience. The universe was calling. If you are reading this review… do yourself a favor and book a trip with this captain! Thank you CR!!
Written July 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Worldsightseer291
Chapel Hill, NC8 contributions
Apr 2021
Traveling with Capt. Charles Robbins (CR) on the Black River and in the Three Sisters Swamp is an all around AWESOME experience! What a day it was! There were 14 of us kayaking on this glorious late spring/early summer day. The feeling was primordial as we moved deeper into the swamp among the ancient bald cypress and all of their knees. I was awe-struck to be in their presence. CR is an outstanding guide and a fabulous raconteur with myriads of stories about the river, the research, the swamp, local history and almost anything else you can imagine. This was an experience I will never forget -- one that I definitely want to do again!
Written May 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dalia J
1 contribution
May 2021
More than an excellent trip and beyond all expectations. There were 10 of us (family and friends) and everyone LOVED it. Three Sisters is such a special and unique place that everyone who loves nature must see it. And it was more than seeing, it was also feeling and listening what these ancient bald cypresses are saying... Cpt. Charles Robbins was wonderful making this trip so memorable. He was very responsive and shared his knowledge and passion through the whole trip. Thank you so much for this experience. Dalia
Written May 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcia H
LA3 contributions
Apr 2021
This is among the most beautiful and powerful places that I've had the luck to experience. Both the Black River and Three Sisters are enchanted, one peaceful and the other even more still on the day that we went. Of course they're also bursting with life and Captain Robbins is intimately connected to it. I am so happy that we found him - can't imagine having this experience any other way. He is incredibly knowledgeable about the place and its history, environmental justice and conservation issues in the region, and the life that's teaming from the river system, especially the Cypress trees. Paddling around the trees with him is like having a guide straight into the sacred and enchantment, peppered with lots of science. Couldn't recommend more highly.
Written May 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Margaret M
2 contributions
Oct 2022
We 4 Seniors (3 females and 1 male) are experienced paddlers and had a phenomenal educational and magical kayak adventure on the Black River through areas within Three Sisters Swamp’s ancient and uniquely individual Bald Cyprus trees and knees guided by this spirited, knowledgeable, and passionate conservationist and life long learner, Capt. Charles Robbins. We had beautiful weather and perfect temperatures and fortunately a good water level to paddle down river and maneuver among the trees and knees. After an introduction to the historic use of the river in Colonial times to the more recent discovery and continuing studies by researchers of the trees’ true age, we got in our furnished kayaks ready to go. Once on the water, with energy efficient paddling tutorials, we engaged in almost continual conversation, learning about the area, the water, the wildlife, and the vast and varied interests of Capt. Robbins. Through the several hours paddling to get to the Swamp, we had paddling breaks for some to catch up, others to drink water, and reached the area among the Cyprus where we could get out onto land to wade and wander, have lunch, stretch and relax before resuming our paddle. Every turn had a new and engaging collection of nature sculpted Cyprus forms. We highly recommend this tour and just might do it again. Thank you CR!
Written October 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ann R
Durham, NC3 contributions
Apr 2021
The ancient trees and river are magical. As a lover of nature, I feel blessed to have this resource in North Carolina. Cpt Robbins is a passionate expert on the trees, history and ecology. And his humorous stories are not to be missed! We were 11 kayakers, mostly seniors and were well-supported with the company's staff, boats, gear and shuttle. It was a 12 mile, all day trip and worth all the effort. No one could have been more informative or fun than Cpt. Robbins. And a guide certainly is needed to find ones way through the cypress knees and overhangs.
Written April 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SgtEasy
4 contributions
Nov 2020
The Three Sisters - threading your way through narrow channels surrounded by cypress knees higher than your kayak, the ancient and spectacular trees come into view. The only sounds are those of the swamp and the dripping of your paddle. A solemn, beautiful and almost religious place for anyone who loves nature.
The all-day trip can be somewhat strenuous, but between Capt. Charles's informative and interesting explanations of the region, the research done on the ancient cypresses, and his own entertaining anecdotes, the time passes all too .quickly. I'm a retired marine biologist and have worked in many beautiful habitats, and this wetland ranks as one of the most spectacular and beautiful I've seen.
About the "not sure" responses below - school age kids recommended; trip was magical rather than thrilling; picnic spot a small sandbar surrounded by trees suitable for small group only. Charles may have alternative for larger groups(?)
The all-day trip can be somewhat strenuous, but between Capt. Charles's informative and interesting explanations of the region, the research done on the ancient cypresses, and his own entertaining anecdotes, the time passes all too .quickly. I'm a retired marine biologist and have worked in many beautiful habitats, and this wetland ranks as one of the most spectacular and beautiful I've seen.
About the "not sure" responses below - school age kids recommended; trip was magical rather than thrilling; picnic spot a small sandbar surrounded by trees suitable for small group only. Charles may have alternative for larger groups(?)
Written November 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian-1961
Palmetto Bay, FL6 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
My wife and I recently went on Captain Charles Robbins' Black River kayak tour and it was an incredible and almost surreal experience. Paddling amongst the ancient bald cypress trees, one of which was documented to be 2,627 years old, was truly amazing. Captain Charles Robbins is a wealth of knowledge that he freely shares with his guests. If you like to kayak and you're visiting or live in the Wilmington, NC area, you must go on this tour. Captain Robbins is the BEST and we give him our highest recommendation!
Written August 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hilltopadventures
14 contributions
Nov 2020
Great experience and definitely recommend. Captain Robbins has extensive knowledge of the Black River, the local animal and plant life, and the research being done on the NC bald cypress trees. The kayak tour we took was engaging and informative. This was a special "just the girls" trip for my sisters and I. We'll treasure the memories we made. And while the trip is a full day of kayaking, it was also easily accomplished by my group of reasonably fit women on either side of 50. It is truly amazing to kayak through this ancient and beautiful part of our country.
Written January 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can I bring my small, well-trained service dog with me?
Written August 1, 2018
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