Responsible tourism issues
Sea kayaking is a lot of fun, with that sense of freedom and wilderness hitting you within the first few strokes of a paddle. Kayakers are, by nature, responsible and respectful. They are free thinkers and landscape lovers, and the last thing they want to do is harm the living things that thrive there, or the people with whom they want to share their passions through guiding. You will learn a lot from sea kayaking with a good guide, not just about how to protect yourself, but also how to celebrate the habitats all around. Here are some tips we have garnered along the way.
Our Sea kayaking Vacations
Sea kayaking vacation in Croatia
Kayaking vacation on stunning Elaphite Islands near Dubrovnik
From
€890 to €935
8 days
ex flights
Kayaking vacation in Indonesia, Komodo Dragon tour
Sea kayaking to some of the most remote beaches on earth
From
£2395
10 days
ex flights
Family sea kayaking vacation in Croatia
Relaxing & fun family kayaking vacation on Croatian islands
From
€835
8 days
ex flights
Desolation Sound kayaking expedition, Canada
Warm water paddling beneath the towering coast mountains
From
CA $1695
5 days
ex flights
Croatia sea kayaking vacations
A short kayaking break around Dubrovnik
From
€630 to €670
5 days
ex flights
Orca family kayaking tour, Vancouver Island
The perfect family adventure in a wilderness paradise
From
CA $1995
4 days
ex flights
Safety & wildlife
Safe sea kayakers are cool sea kayakers
Sea kayakers are cool, but safe sea kayakers are even cooler. One of the best things you can do to be safe when on a sea kayaking vacation is to go out with an expert, professional guide. Check their qualifications first aid knowledge and experience. A reputable company will not have any difficulty putting your mind at rest on that front. Then there is having the right gear. In colder climates good quality wetsuits are not only good for comfort levels, but also for safety, as you don’t want to get hypothermia. You can easily sea kayak in the depths of winter, as long as you have the right gear. Helmets are necessary if you risk going near rocks and choppy waters, and buoyancy aids are always vital. So, you will have to forgo that all body tan for a body that is still here tomorrow.If you are sea kayaking independently, always check the weather conditions. Professional guides check in with coastguards and have good working relations with rescue teams on land. So, if you are going it alone you should gain expert weather advice before you go, and generally it is best not to go more than 400 metres from the shore, unless you are experienced.
Sophie Hurst, owner of Preseli Venture, our sea kayaking supplier in Pembrokeshire:
"To go out on the sea, you do need to have a good level of understanding. And so, although people want to be able to do things themselves, most people do need a guide. Even if they have some of their own equipment. You have the currents and the weather to consider, but even on a calm day you could be swept out to sea or along the coast. So guides are important for anyone at any level really, even if you want to progress to instructor level yourself."
"To go out on the sea, you do need to have a good level of understanding. And so, although people want to be able to do things themselves, most people do need a guide. Even if they have some of their own equipment. You have the currents and the weather to consider, but even on a calm day you could be swept out to sea or along the coast. So guides are important for anyone at any level really, even if you want to progress to instructor level yourself."
Wildlife is just that. Wild.
You will, hopefully, get to see a variety of wildlife on your sea kayaking vacation. But it is worth remembering that you are encountering these animals on their territory. Just as we are watching them, they are watching us. It is symbiotic and we need to respect that. The best way to do that is by keeping your distance. From whale watching in British Columbia to seal watching in Pembrokeshire, maintain the peace that you gain while paddling, when you spot wildlife.For example, if you are lucky to be sea kayaking around whales, you must keep your distance and never box them in. That goes for all cetaceans. You can learn more about this in our Whale Watching guide. Or if you are bird watching in Pembrokeshire, guillemots and razorbills incubate eggs on their feet and if they are disturbed they fly off ledges in a panic, their eggs being dislodged or destroyed. Seals are generally good friends with kayakers, but you don’t want to mess with a mother and her pups. So don’t land on a beach where they go to pup, and never kayak between a mother and her babe either. And if you creep up on seals or approach them bow on, they may perceive you as a predator. And that is the end of a beautiful friendship.
Paul Renfro, Sustainable Recreation Co-ordinator, Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum:
"One of the joys of kayaking on the sea is the freedom to view wildlife in its natural habitat. However kayakers have a responsibility to develop an understanding of the needs of wildlife in order to minimise any negative impact."
"One of the joys of kayaking on the sea is the freedom to view wildlife in its natural habitat. However kayakers have a responsibility to develop an understanding of the needs of wildlife in order to minimise any negative impact."
See the Pembrokeshire Marine Code for excellent tips on good practice. You can also see an excellent video from The Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter Group on Sea Kayaking Best Practice.
Responsible tourism tips
Sophie Hurst, owner Preseli Adventure, our sea kayaking specialist in Pembrokeshire, Wales:
"In terms of equipment, you do get what you pay for in sea kayaking. We might not be the cheapest, but we have been told that we have the best kit in Pembrokeshire. And we check it all year round. The buoyancy aids have to float, the helmets have to withstand hitting the rocks and the backrests need to work. It’s cheaper not to bother doing all these things. But we always do. Plus we also have highly qualified instructors. But we are not the cheapest. But cheapest isn’t necessarily the best."
"In terms of equipment, you do get what you pay for in sea kayaking. We might not be the cheapest, but we have been told that we have the best kit in Pembrokeshire. And we check it all year round. The buoyancy aids have to float, the helmets have to withstand hitting the rocks and the backrests need to work. It’s cheaper not to bother doing all these things. But we always do. Plus we also have highly qualified instructors. But we are not the cheapest. But cheapest isn’t necessarily the best."
ROW Adventures is one of our suppliers in British Columbia, where wild camping is very much part of the trip: "Kayaking is a minimal-impact activity, and we are certified carbon-neutral in our operations through our carbon-offsetting program to address the use of van transport, and propane for cooking (most meals are cooked with a dutch oven). Since the main other attractions of the tour are hiking and tidepooling, this tour is almost entirely human-powered. This not only gives a more intimate experience with the land, but it doesn't harm the sea creatures we treasure."
More about Sea kayaking
Our paddling vacations are some of the most popular trips on Responsible Travel, and that is not just because they are very cool adventures but also because they tick so many boxes of responsible tourism.
One of the joys of paddling is that it is such a tranquil activity. And so sea kayaking wildlife experiences are not uncommon. In Canada you can kayak out to see whales, and in Wales you can go sea kayaking to see seals.
There is sea kayaking and there is responsible sea kayaking. Responsible tour operators don't only put safety first, they also work closely with local communities and are totally switched on to marine conservation.
To sea kayak in Croatia is to paddle your way through paradise. Choose between Istrian and Dalmatian archipelagos, richly forested islands with otherwise inaccessible coves, or secret caves to paddle and swim through.
Montenegro is a great location for sea kayaking with the sheltered shores around the Bay of Kotor creating an array of UNESCO-listed old towns and rugged mountain scenery.
You really can kayak the Camino de Santiago, following a spectacular route along Galicia’s northern coast. Crowd free, and the prettiest of paddling. Read on for more details…
Sea kayaking in Wales is as wild and wonderful as you can imagine with myriad marine animals and secret sandy spots to be found along the shores of the Pembrokeshire coastline, opening up a whole new world.
Camp and hike on uninhabited islands; paddle between beaches and rocky coves; snorkel with sea lions and watch whales and dolphins; sea kayaking in Baja is the best way to bring the beauty of Mexico leaping into life.
Welcome to Saint Anna archipelago, wild and pristine, the most renowned place for sea kayaking in Sweden. Explore this remote, almost uninhabited landscape, where every sunrise promises new adventures.
Sea kayaking in the Komodo Islands is a chance to be immersed in nature, paddling your way to remote corners of this beautiful national park, camping on beaches and sleeping under the stars.
A sea kayaking vacation in Devon is the ultimate way to discover the southern coast, from the reed ringed estuary of the River Dart to your own private coves, only accessible by the ocean.
Other activities to expand a sea kayaking vacation include coasteering, fishing, nocturnal kayak sessions, and throwing hiking shoes in a dry bag so as to explore isolated islands after landing on them.
If you've always fancied paddling but didn't really know where to start our top 10 sea kayaking spots will put you in the picture as you seek out secret shores in the company of local experts.
There are so many reasons to love sea kayaking with kids, from watching them gain confidence on the water and see places from a different perspective to teaching them about marine conservation.
Our sea kayaking tips from expert paddling guides to travelers who are keen kayakers, range from the gear you need to places to seek out, to safety advice.
