Her shores feature some of the most remote and pristine vistas in the Smoky Mountains. Her tributaries nurture some of the clearest and cleanest waters in the Southeast. Lake Santeetlah is a heaven… consisting of fabulous sunrises and sunsets, pristine shoreline, and open water – which remains largely unexplored by paddle craft. Not that the lake is completely ignored by boaters: on any given weekend, throughout most of the warmer months, a handful of pontoon boats and ski boats make their way on the 3000 acre open lake. With Lake Santeetlah’s 80 miles of shoreline, mild seasons, protected waters, and abundance of wildlife and it is ideal sea kayak country. Each year, we are seeing more guests arriving with their kayaks to explore the beautiful lake and sea kayaks seem to be the most popular.
Sea kayaks are touring kayaks designed for long distance travel over open water. They are inherently sea worthy, thus earning their name. Being designed for rough conditions, they are capable of calmly running in harm’s way. They also are extremely efficient at leisurely cruising with a mellow, relaxed pace. Historically, the boats originated in West Greenland several centuries ago. The early native versions were assembled from sealskin with a fragile wood and bone frame, but today the boats are constructed of modern fiberglass. Sea kayaks are fitted with bulkheaded storage compartments and several hatches providing easy access to these spaces. Inside, the boats have plenty of storage space to transport a paddler with gear and equipment. Due to their versatility and practicality in exploring waterways, these sleek water craft are becoming popular on Lake Santeetlah.
We urge you to come and discover the solitude and tranquility of Lake Santeetlah, North Carolina’s best kept secret.