By Shirley and Fred Bull
The Countryman Press

(The Boating Channel / Review) -- If a paddling trip around Cape Cod is part of your vacation plans, here is an indispensable guide to enhance the experience. Geared to getting you away from the crowds of Provencetown and the popular beaches that line the magnificent Cape, "Paddling Cape Cod: A Coastal Explorer's Guide," by Shirley and Fred Bull, makes it possible even for the novice to take a paddle across of the Cape's many bays, to travel up a quiet tidal river, or to investigate the diverse ecosystem of a salt marsh. It takes you out on the water, where the populations are measured in flocks – not crowds.

The Bulls, who own and operate Cape Cod Coastal Canoe and Kayak in Falmouth, Massachusetts, have been leading paddling tours for the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History and other clients since 1993. So, whether it has been years since you were in a canoe, you are new to the sport, or you are an avid paddler, you can put yourself in capable hands with the Bulls and their very informative book.

Cape Cod, which is separated from the mainland by the Cape Cod Canal, is a paddler's paradise. Photo: Paddling Cape Cod.

Cape Cod, an island with more than 1,000 miles of shoreline and replete with bays, inlets, rivers, estuaries, and creeks, is one of the best paddling areas in the Northeast. Cape Cod Bay, Nantucket Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean, all with varying conditions and features, shape this island's coastline. Additionally, there are over 350 freshwater ponds.

But many of these places are very well hidden and difficult to find.This handy guide outlines trips for paddlers of all experience levels, from a 7-mile paddle along the breathtaking barrier beach of Sandy Neck to a serene paddle on the Mill Ponds. Included are:

• 35 day trips, with suggested launch times, mileage, and perfect locations for swimming or picnicking

• 41 detailed maps

• Photographs and line drawings illustrating the scenery and wildlife of the Cape

• Guidance on launch and access sites, including parking tips

• Tide and Current information

• Commentary on shorebirds, plants and other wildlife that may be encountered along the way.

The authors are also well versed in the natural history of the region. As Shirley Bull explains, "The Cape is a place of distinctive beauty. Paddling Cape Cod is not just a guide of where to paddle, but an invitation to paddle with all your senses sharpened - to see, hear, and smell, and most importantly, to appreciate the natural wonders of Cape Cod."