Top North Carolina Nature and Wildlife

H2O Captain can differentiate itself from the others, as: - The company is an authorized permittee of the Cape Lookout National Seashore, National Park Service - The only company to give the client 3 options of towns to start their tour - Captain Mark services in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary as a Flotilla Commander. This area is his Area of Responsibility (AOR)

Paddle 7 miles (11 km) with a private guide on the picturesque French Broad River. You’ll pass by Asheville’s massive Biltmore Estate and hear about its history. Learn stand-up paddleboarding tips and techniques from your SUP instructor and keep an eye out for native wildlife like turtles, herons, otters, and osprey. Enjoy the fresh air and exercise during a morning or afternoon.

Our tours have been featured in Southern Living Magazine and MSN News! Join are expert guides, all experienced naturalists, as we discover the stunning waterfalls and mountain views which make Asheville famous! On our tours, we share stories from history and even do some plant foraging, so you can eat along the trail! Note that guests often return to Asheville by way of the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway, so our tours is a loop, and there is no need to backtrack! (Only during winter conditions with ice and snow will the Parkway be closed and we may have to return to our original starting place.)

Featured in Southern Living Magazine and MSN News, discover the authentic beauty of the Blue Ridge Parkway with a naturalist guide to show you the best vistas, photo spots, and waterfalls that make Asheville famous. This intimate, small-group tour makes it easy to get to know your experienced, expert guide and learn more about the region. -Learn about the area’s history, plants, and wildlife from your naturalist guide -Visit famous waterfalls and ones that most tourists miss -See the best of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s many, expansive views

Slip beneath the surface with tickets to the SEA LIFE Charlotte–Concord Aquarium, and meet the thousands of mammals, bright fish and seahorses that thrive in dozens of exhibits that recreate the ecosystems that surround North Carolina. Get a fish eye’s-view of the marine landscape as you walk through an underwater ocean tunnel. Spot all eight legs on the Giant Pacific Octopus, see a feeding frenzy and explore the slippery world of jellyfish in soaring cylindrical tanks.

It can be hard to find something fun and different for your kids to do while in the Asheville area. Travel outside the city just 30 minutes to Hendersonville’s Elijah Mountain Gem Mine. Guarantee your visit for the whole family by booking ahead, and choose from multiple packages to find which one is best for your budget.

See the wild horses of Corolla on a 2-hour tour on the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Travel by open-air 4-wheel drive vehicle along the sand dunes and ocean to view the wild horses. Along the way, you'll also hear about the history and ecology of the island, stop for photo ops of the horses and other points of interests, and gain private access to the Wild Horse Conservation Area. Choose from several departure times during the day on a tour that includes 4WD tour and guide.

Relax as we cruise the CB Yacht Basin and Snow's Cut to search for sea turtles, dolphins, and other wildlife and get a different view of all the beautiful homes and boats that call CB Home on this small-group experience.

We are the only authorized horse and carriage service in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. While you are witnessing the breathtaking views the parkway and Moses H Cone Memorial Park has to offer, experience the historical Manor and carriage trails while riding in comfort on a carriage. Feel free to bring snacks and drinks.

The Blue Ridge Mountains are one of the oldest ranges in the world, arising from tectonic plates colliding hundreds of millions of years ago. With misty mountains, winding roads, and sprawling green vistas, the blue mountain parkway is one of America's most beautiful drives. The Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina are stunning no matter the season - with fresh blossoms in the spring, rushing waterfalls in the summer, rusty autumnal colours in the fall, and peaceful snow cover in winter. On your private excursion, your guide will take you through the mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you will enjoy several scenic highlights and have the opportunity to hike, should you wish to. You will stop for lunch in a quaint town, where your guide will recommend a place for the best Southern food and hospitality. After a day spent exploring the towns dotting the highway and the striking geological features of the ridge, your guide will drive you back to your hotel in Asheville.

Excite Your Senses' as we stroll down the concrete drive and I explain the importance and management of productive pastures. The ranch manages the pastures with a rotational grazing system, so keep your eye out for the herd. We want visitors to experience the sights and smells of the farm while discussing the cattles health, and nutrient requirements There are many photo opportunities. In addition, you will see many conservation practices used to protect the farms resources, water quality and environment. ​ Buses, RV's and pets are welcome. Farm Lodge, RV Ranch and a picnic area are available with plenty of parking. Shop at our Farm Store and consider grilling out while you relax in our picnic area enjoying the beautiful views of the mountains. (fees apply)

The guides from Ventures Birding Tours are friendly, knowledgeable and patient. We will take our time exploring and pointing out the local bird life. Whether you're a seasoned birder or just trying out this fascinating hobby for the first time, you will be promised an interesting time.

Hike the best of the Blue Ridge Parkway on this guided day trip to three scenic waterfalls from Asheville. Take in views of the mountains as you tour the classic road in a comfortable van and hear stories about the area’s natural history and culture from your local guide. Watch for blooming laurels and rhododendron as you walk the easy to moderate trails through lush oak and hickory forests. Enjoy light refreshments along the way with plenty of time to relax by the falls before returning to Asheville.

Your guide is a certified naturalist who is knowledgeable of the flora and fauna of the area. You will learn tree and flower identifications as well as any wildlife you may see during your activity.

Join us for a waterfall hiking tour and see some of the Western NC's famous waterfalls! Your guide will meet you at our downtown Asheville location then drive you to the trailhead. You'll enjoy a 3-5 mile hike, featuring one or more waterfalls (depending on the location). Our tours are designed for beginner to intermediate hikers, but are beautiful enough that even the most seasoned hiker will have a great time! Your hike could be in Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest, or Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Your guide will select the best hike for the day based on factors like weather, trail conditions, and participant fitness level. All of our guides have extensive hiking and backpacking experience, and all hold CPR and Wilderness First Aid (or higher) medical certifications.

Discover the scenic views, mountain trails, wildlife, and plants of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a local guide to lead the way. With so much to see in the region, nature lovers can get overwhelmed deciding where to go and what attractions to prioritize. By traveling with a guide you don’t have to worry about the logistics and can rest assured you don’t miss any of the highlights.

Solve clues, complete challenges, and race against competing teams while checking out top Asheville sights on this self-guided Asheville scavenger hunt. Follow the guide on your smartphone to reach historical attractions, outdoor art, and essential Asheville sights, all with your self-chosen team of two to five people. Because this tour is all from your phone, you can complete it on your own schedule.

Horseback riding through the Blue Ridge Mountains is a beautiful way to explore the area’s natural attractions. Trot through fern groves, past rows of wild flame azaleas, and into a white pine forest on well-trained, gentle horses. This tour includes a safety training, too, making it a good choice for beginner horseback riders and children.

Follow your guide on a 45-minute horseback riding adventure at Arrowmont Stables and Cabins outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Choose from a variety of departure times, and ride the beautiful Fern Forest Trail, traveling through a dense forest on relatively flat terrain at 4,000 feet. This gentle trail, situated in the Nantahala National Forest, is suitable for all skill levels. Guided safety training plus a ‘test drive’ and helmet (mandatory for those under 18) are provided.

This is one of my favorite hikes in the Asheville area. It is remote and beautiful! This is a local's ony hike that you will not find in a guide book. I discovered this while leading trips for Outward Bound. The hike is a perfect challenge for anyone up for an exhilarating experience with amazing views of Pisgah National Forest. We will use ropes on three sections to assist up the steep sections but we will descend off the back side of the mountain that is gradual. I promise it be be one of the best hikes you will find here in Asheville!

Your guide is a certified naturalist who is knowledgeable of the flora and fauna of the area. You will learn tree and flower identifications as well as any wildlife you may see during your activity.

Experience a scenic and memorable guided horseback riding adventure at Arrowmont Stables and Cabins outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Choose from a wide variety of departure times, then ride the beautiful Flame Azalea Trail, traveling through hardwood and white pine forests, plus open meadows with majestic, elevated views of the all-American Blue Ridge Parkway. Get to know the horses in advance. Guided safety training plus a ‘test drive’ and helmet (mandatory for those under 18) are provided.

We will head out from our shop in North Asheville for the incredibly scenic drive to the trail head along the picturesque Blue Ridge Parkway. Once we arrive we will take a spectacular hike up to our overlook. This truly remote spot will give you the feeling that you are really “out there.” The view from the summit features some of the most spectacular displays of fall colors and the surrounding landscape that can be found in the Southern Appalachian mountains. From our lookout at over 6000 feet we are guaranteed to be treated to a wide array of colors all through the fall. We will sit and enjoy the view for as long as we please and enjoy some light organic snacks that we will bring along before beginning the hike back to the van. Once we return to Asheville we will conclude with a cold cider from Urban Orchard and rehash a fantastic afternoon.

Do you love the beauty of waterfalls? We do too and Western North Carolina has an abundance of them. Let us show you some beautiful waterfalls in the Asheville area on the Guided Half-Day Waterfall Tour of Blue Ridge Mountains, Pisgah national Forest, and Dupont National Forest. After approximately a 50 minute drive, we start the morning off hiking to a selection of waterfalls - please note hiking of at least 3 miles is required and guests should be of a good fitness level (hike at a pace of 20 minute mile) in forest terrain. We'll see a variety of falls - some delicate and alluring, others forceful & powerful in nature! We stop for a light picnic lunch before embarking on the return journey, which takes us along the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway where we will enjoy breathtaking mountain vistas. Guides are certified to provide tours in the Blue Ridge Parkway, Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Forest.