Posted on July 2, 2024 by Colette Goh
If your idea of a perfect vacation is paddling through deep blue water, gazing up at awe-inspiring waterfalls, and spotting local wildlife, then it’s time to plan your dream kayak trip.
Whether it’s the breathtaking rainforest of Milford Sound, the serene inlets of the Pacific Northwest, or the stunning limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, we have put together a guide on the best places to kayak in the world.
Our guide covers why each place is special, how to get there, where to stay, the types of waves, the best kayak and gear to bring, and other critical information. We also have included hidden gems that are off the beaten path and perfect for more adventurous travelers and kayakers. Not only do our recommendations include stunning scenery and unique experiences, but we also touch on which place is the best for families, beginners, or advanced kayakers.
Finally, we wrap up this guide on the best places to kayak with our top recommended SUP-Kayak Hybrids and a few essential tips to make your kayaking trips more enjoyable.
Below are our recommendations for the 5 best places to go kayaking. These locations feature stunning scenery, unique wildlife, and a range of conditions that suit different types of kayakers and travelers.
Milford Sound is known for its stunning scenery, including impressive waterfalls, sky-high cliffs, and lush rainforests. This breathtakingly beautiful fjord, the only one in New Zealand, is home to incredible wildlife such as dolphins, seals, penguins, and the famous local kea parrot. Warning - once you visit Milford Sound, it may ruin all other kayaking for you!
It’s best for advanced kayakers because of the longer distance between the sights and the potential for changing weather with strong winds and rains. However, you can book the Milford Sound Overnight Cruise is a great option for beginner kayakers. You can kayak for up to 2 hours.
We recommend kayaking Clayoquot Sound, located on the west side of Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada. This stunning region is known for its ancient coastal rainforests and incredibly diverse wildlife such as orcas, seals, otters, eagles, and wolves. It’s no wonder that Clayoquot Sound is a protected Biosphere Reserve.
Tofino is a fantastic choice for beginners and families, as well as more advanced kayakers. This area offers a range of kayaking options - from a single-day kayak around Tofino Harbour to multi-day kayak camping trips - either guided or independent. A popular trip is to kayak to nearby Meares Island and hike on the Big Tree Trail. For more advanced kayakers, you can go on a 5-day kayaking trip from Tofino and finish with a soak in the natural hot springs at Hot Springs Cove. Or you can hire a boat to a far-away inlet and then explore by kayak.
Tofino is a great option for families as there are endless outdoor activities like surfing, hiking, whale watching, exploring tidal pools, and relaxing on one of Tofino’s many beaches.
If you’re already planning a dreamy Mediterranean vacation, why don’t you consider adding kayaking to your itinerary? It’s a great way to get active and admire the beauty of the Adriatic Coast from the water. The Dalmatian Coast is known for crystal-clear waters, red-roofed coastal towns, and ancient architecture. If you want to explore the best of island life, then you’ll love island hopping on the Dalmatian Coast.
Because guided kayak tours are popular, the Dalmatian Coast is a great option for beginners or families. Split, Hvar, and Dubrovnik are three of the most popular towns on the Coast. Split is a pretty coastal city known for the Palace of Diocletian that sits within the city walls. You might recognize Dubrovnik Old Town from Game of Thrones. The renowned Old Town, fortified by walls that have been standing for centuries, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hvar Island is just a ferry ride away from Split or Dubrovnik. It’s the sunniest island in Europe that balances its reputation as a “party island” while being home to 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites. While Hvar Town has a nightlife scene and fancy yachts, once you get out of town, you can experience traditional Dalmatian agriculture.
If you’re looking for a remote and active vacation, then check out Dubi Otok. It’s a gorgeous long island off Zadar known for its natural beauty such as the stunning Sakarun Beach, Mir Salt Lake, and Telašćica Nature Park.
Ha Long Bay is a breathtaking natural wonder with stunning limestone islands, emerald green waters, and endless beaches and grottoes to explore.
This is a great kayaking adventure for families because this sheltered bay has calm waters and many options for guided boat and kayak tours. If you’re a beginner, overnight cruises offer kayaking as part of the package along with exploring beaches, caves, and swimming.
Ha Long Bay is about 3-4 hours away from Hanoi. If you’re a foodie, we recommend exploring Vietnam’s capital city Hanoi before or after you visit Ha Long Bay.
Norway is home to some majestic fjords with steep cliffs, deep waters, and picturesque villages. There are several fjords that you can explore, but we recommend two options below.
Base yourself in Bergen, which is considered the heart of the fjords. You will have access to tons of kayaking routes like Hardangerfjorden, Sognefjorden, and Flåm. Nærøyfjorden is Norway’s narrowest ford and a stunning choice for kayakers. Bergen is a beautiful mountain town with historical architecture that offers a ton of family-friendly activities. There are tons of hiking routes, and activities such as fjord tours via boat, or taking the Bergen Railway train to admire the views. Also if you love seafood, Bergen is a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
If you prefer something more remote, visit Geirangerfjorden, a spectacular fjord that offers plenty of guided kayaking tours. Even the journey to Geirangerfjord is stunning, so take your time, spend some days in Bergen, then make it a scenic road trip north. Once you get there, pair kayaking with a hike to the historical farm Skageflå, which is 270 m above sea level. From there you can admire views of the fjord and look at the Seven Sisters and Suitor waterfalls.
We’ve included two hidden gems for more wild and remote locations that are challenging and stunning. These hidden gems offer unique and less crowded kayaking experiences, with conditions ranging from calm waters suitable for beginners to challenging rapids for advanced kayakers.
Remote and breathtaking, Laguna San Rafael is known for its stunning glaciers in a pristine natural environment. Best for advanced kayakers due to the remote location and cold conditions.
The Zambezi offers a fantastic white-water kayaking experience with dramatic scenery and abundant wildlife. The famous white water section is in Batoka Gorge, directly below the famous Victoria Falls, one of the world’s seven natural wonders. The river contains different rapids, but it’s recommended for confident, experienced kayakers with a decent fitness level as you’ll be paddling in the heat and hiking in and out of the canyon.
If you’re looking to Choose the Right Kayak for travel, check out our recommendations for inflatable SUP-Kayak hybrids. These inflatable Sit sit-on-top kayaks are versatile and lightweight, making them great for travel.
Our bestselling Switch hybrids have won 30+ awards and hundreds of happy customers. They are our original hybrid SUP-Kayak that lets you switch easily from kayaking to paddleboarding.
If you’re an advanced kayaker looking to go the distance, check out our SUP-kayak hybrids from our Pro Series boards. ISLE's patented* Airtech Prolite construction means you get the convenience of an inflatable with the performance of a rigid board for extreme durability.
If you need a refresher on How to Set Up Your SUP-Kayak Hybrid we recommend checking out our blog post.
Finally, if you want to paddle further and faster we recommend you watch our Kayak Paddle Board Technique video with our in-house kayak expert and make sure you properly Trim Your Paddle Board Kayak Hybrid especially if you’re bringing gear along on your kayak. These techniques will help you be more efficient with your energy and paddle easier and smoother.
Thanks for reading our guide on the best places to kayak in the world. We hope that you’re excited to explore new waters
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