Guide To Sea Kayaking Vacations

Some of the most beautiful landscape on Earth is found where the land meets the sea. Tall cliffs descend to sparkling waters where the tidal rhythms display stunning natural wonders. Perhaps the most wonderful way to discover these natural systems is through sea kayaking. The rhythms are ideal for taking in the surroundings and watching birds, seals, and all sorts of other natural life forms up close, as you sit mere inches from the water in the kayak.

There are countless fantastic sea kayaking tours and sea kayaking holidays on offer around the world. You can go kayaking alongside Orcas in British Columbia or discover the shores and coves of the Mediterranean's Greek Isles. Generally speaking, all are perfectly accessible for first timers. Whilst there are complexities to kayaking narrow single kayaks - beginners kayaks tend to accommodate two people and are longer and wider to give greater stability. The majority of people find paddling to be almost second nature.

There are literally thousands of qualified independent guides willing to take you out for a day's kayaking and instruction all around the coast of North America, UK, Australia and New Zealand - although they are not always easy to find. There are also established operators specialising in sea kayaking expeditions both for beginners and more experienced paddlers. These can be based from a fixed accommodation on land with day kayaking trips departing each day or can involve journeying along the coast wild camping each night. It can be exhausting to paddle a kayak every day, so there are tours offering support crafts able to assist should you become fatigued.

Sea kayaking is generally possible wherever there is a coast. Typically locations with convoluted coastlines, bays, inlets and small islands are favoured as they provide shelter from rough seas (it is no fun paddling into wind and waves) and of course are better for exploring than long bland coastlines. The following are five tremendous kayaking areas to visit during your lifetime:

- Zimbabwe's Canoe Safari, Located in Mana Pools National Park. Mana Pools is one of Africa's top ten game reserves. Negotiate the calm waters of the Mana Pools and view elephants, buffalo and hippos from your seat in a dug out canoe on the river...

- New Zealand's Milford Sound - Embark on a kayak adventure and get a personal view of the stunning natural landscape. One of the world's true beauty spots, here you will find cascading waterfalls intertwined with green mountain passes.

- Johnstone Strait Kayaking. Paddle in an area famous for killer whales, and if the wildlife isn't enough to whet your appetite, the rocky coast line holds many coves and beaches to explore.


- Sea Kayaking in Greece - climate, food, rich history and amazing coastlines, Greece is a perfect destination for kayaking. Ideal for kayak exploration is the small island called Milos, which boasts 130 km of coastline and more than 150 sea caves.

- Kayak Exploration of Alaska's Twin Lakes - Find yourself by kayaking solo in South Central Alaska's Lake Clark National Park, which includes crystal blue lakes and thick, lush forested areas.

- Kayak Tours in the Galapagos - Featuring more than 100 islets and rocky areas to investigate, you will have no trouble escaping tourist crowds and finding secluded retreats that are inaccessible to larger water crafts.