Thursday 1 September 2022 Nelson Lagoon

 With high tide occuring at 11.32am at a height of 1.6m we decided it was a good day to paddle Nelson Lagoon. 

Arriving at the Lagoon carpark about 9.50am we set about unloading the boats and attaching the trolleys - or in the case of the Castine strapping it onto the frame L has made for what is usually the wood trolley. The plan had been to hit the water at 10.30am, an hour before high tide.

Once everyone was ready we set off to haul the boats along what seemed an extraordinary long 300m sandy track to the stop of the stairs leading down to the put in point. There, we unloaded the boats and carried them one by one down the steps to the put in.

Waiting for the slomo's to launch.

Eventually we were all launched by 10.50am.  For those no longer young, strong and nimble of foot allow an extra 20 -30mins for getting ready to paddle.

Heading for the entrance

L at the entrance

Lilylivered (you all know who) through a gap in the rocks saw this wave approaching and proceeded no further!

Dreaming impossible dreams, perhaps.

Attractive but just waiting to slice up the bottom of kayaks

Back into the lagoon we go

What makes Nelson Lagoon so special is not its surrounds so much as the clarity of its water and the variety of  plant life living therein. Floating over these underwater gardens, watching the fish dart along the 'corridors' was mesmerising.

Drifting along watching a Sea Eagle soar.

Heading up Nelson Creek.

Now for the video:

By 3.05pm our paddle was over, our enthusiam for the day now somewhat subdued by the thought of the slog required to get our boats back to the carpark.

Back at the cars, once heart rates had lowered and cheered by the thought no CPR had been required, we slowly unpacked and loaded the boats and readied ourselves for the drive home.

High Tide at Entrance: 11.32am 1.6m

Put In/Take Out: 300m from Nelson Lagoon Carpark

11.4kms