The Purple Mirage

Office of Coast Survey Charts -- NOAA provides free navigational charts in various formats. The Nautical Chart is a graphic portrayal of the marine environment showing the nature and form of the coast, the general configuration of the sea bottom including water depths, locations of dangers to navigation, locations and characteristics of man-made aids to navigation and other features useful to the mariner.

Maptech -- Maptech's MapServer has the a large inventory of topo maps, nautical charts and high altitude photos.

Chesapeake Paddlers Association (CPA) offers many diversified activities and benefits providing a way for people to safely enjoy sea kayaking within the Chesapeake Bay region.



Delmarva Coastal Sea Kayaking -- kayaking information for Delaware, Maryland and a little of Virginia.

Canoe Cruisers Association (CCA) -- Founded in 1956, CCA has over 1000 members from Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia and other nearby regions. They are a kayak and canoe club whose main purpose is to unite persons interested in paddling the Potomac River Basin and adjacent watersheds.


Monocacy Canoe Club (MCC) -- The club is primarily a whitewater kayaking club but the trips range from river trips, canoe campers, out-of-state paddling weeks, dam-release weekends, family float trips and canoe sailing.


NCAWPA -- Formed in 1992, the National Capital Area Women's Paddling Association (NCAWPA) is a not-for profit organization dedicated to the promotion of paddle sports, particularly among women. They have both dragonboat and outrigger canoe teams.

Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Clubs (KIOCC) -- KIOCC's philosophy focuses on perpetuating the Hawaiian culture and spirit through outrigger canoeing. With easy access to the eastern Chesapeake Bay, KIOCC offers a warm 'ohana (family) to the sport of competitive Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling.

Howard County Sierra Club -- The Howard County Group is part of the Maryland Chapter of the Sierra Club, a national environmental organization.



Appalachian Mountain Club -- Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest nonprofit conservation and recreation organization. We promote the protection, enjoyment, and wise use of the mountains, rivers, and trails of the Appalachian region.



Maryland Outdoor Club -- Mostly a hiking club for 30-somethings but they do other outings as well.



Mountain Club of Maryland (MCM) -- This is a Baltimore-based, not-for-profit hiking, trails, and conservation organization. MCM offers hikes and/or other related activities almost every Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. Outings include leisurely and more strenuous dayhikes, canoeing and tubing, bicycling, and overnight backpacking and camping trips.




Washington Women Outdoors (WWO) -- This is an outdoor organization for independent women seeking adventure in the outdoors. Activities include hiking, biking, rock climbing, rafting, canoeing, kayaking and skiing ... and many more activities.





Wildside Adventures for Women -- Adventures for women ranging from backpacking, hiking, kayaking, and biking in a supportive women only environment.


MWROP -- The Washington DC Chapter of the Sierra Club.

KayakTraining.com -- KayakTraining.com offers a wide range of sea kayak training courses and guided sea kayak tours. They have instructional courses for the beginner paddler as well as the advanced kayaker. They also have guided kayak day trips, overnight excursions, and full expeditions. Kayak training classes are available for groups or by private lessons. Training by ACA Certified Instructors is available in the Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia (DelMarVa) Chesapeake Bay area throughout the year.

Chesapeake Kayak School -- Chesapeake Kayak School is a part of Potomac Paddlesports and specializes in sea kayak instruction.

Amphibious Horizons -- From basic kayaking instruction to multi-day adventures to rentals, Amphibious Horizons creates an atmosphere conducive to discovery, adventure and relaxation in and around the Chesapeake Bay.