Peconic River in New York

Trip Overview

The Peconic River (east of Riverhead) has two distinctive sections the western end, is a source fed river of about 8 miles from its start in Calverton to the town of Riverhead. The eastern section runs from the town of Riverhead and at about two miles it opens up into the Peconic Bay. It was this eastern section that a friend and I paddled, he in a kayak and I in a canoe.

The weather was double-edged- a clear, sunny, 70-80 degrees, with little humidity, but there were 15-20 mph winds, and that did pose a problem for me and my high-profile canoe in the open waters entering the Peconic Bay, where we encountered 12 ft waves. Not wanting to put a damper on the day, the weather conditions provided good practice conditions for me and my canoe cutting the waves, reading the winds, and beaching it at the turn-around.

Of course, my friend in his kayak, navigated the waves and wind effortlessly, or at least it seamed effortlessly, from my vantage point. Those kayaks, the speedboats of the paddling world, make my canoe look like LOG!!!

On the return trip, we entered a cove on the south, left-side of the river, and were treated to many little channels and coves that were all part of a bird sanctuary sheltered from the winds, this area was easy paddling and besides the low din of the nearby roadway, it was isolated and had a primitive feel to it.

This trip was part of an annual get-together that the local outfitter, Peconic Paddler, sponsors - paddling, dinner afterwards, and portions of the proceeds going toward the betterment of the Peconic River!

Directions:

LIE to exit 71, then take Cty rd 24 east to the traffic circle - the Peconic Paddler and the put-in are at the northeast corner of the circle.