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
€785 to €825
8 days
ex flights
Family sea kayaking vacation in Croatia
Relaxing & fun family kayaking vacation on Croatian islands
From
€785 to €825
8 days
ex flights
Kayaking vacation in Indonesia
Sea kayaking to some of the most remote beaches on earth
From
US $2295
10 days
ex flights
Kayaking weekend in Croatia
Paddle the clear blue sea around Dubrovnik
From
€450 to €485
4 days
ex flights
Kayaking vacation in Montenegro
Kayaking vacation in The Bay of Kotor and Skadar Lake
From
£640 to £740
8 days
ex flights
Self guided sea kayaking in Croatia
Tailormade self guided kayaking tours in the Adriatic
From
€715
7 days
ex flights
Croatia sea kayaking vacations
A short kayaking break around Dubrovnik
From
€535 to €575
5 days
ex flights
Sweden kayaking short break
Solo travelers! Explore the Swedish Archipelago by kayak.
From
€860
5 days
ex flights
Sweden kayaking and camping vacation
Kayaking and wild camping among thousands of islands, Sweden
From
€670
5 days
ex flights
Sea kayaking vacation in Wales
Sea kayaking explorations Pembrokeshire National Park coast
From
£295
2 days
ex flights
Croatia sea kayaking vacation, islands & parks
Kayaking around some of the most beautiful Croatian Islands
From
€990
8 days
ex flights
Bariloche kayaking vacation in Patagonia
Enjoy guided kayaking and hiking in Bariloche, Argentina.
From
US $720 to US $1310
4 days
ex flights
Ithaca sea kayaking skills vacation, Greece
Develop your sea kayaking skills in the sun.
From
€799 to €945
5 days
ex flights
Baja sea kayak adventure in Mexico
Explore the Worlds Aquarium on Baja's Sea of Cortez
From
US $1295
6 days
ex flights
River to the sea canoeing vacation in Croatia
Kayaking in Zrmanja and Krupa River Canyons
From
€660
5 days
ex flights
Algarve sea kayaking in Portugal
Kayaking vacation in the Portuguese Algarve
From
€550
5 days
ex flights
Mozambique adventure vacation
Combine adventure, culture and history
From
US $3525
8 days
ex flights
Croatia river kayaking vacation
Learn kayaking techniques on clear Croatian rivers
From
€840
8 days
ex flights
Kayak or SUP vacation in Croatia
Kayak or stand up paddle board between Croatian Islands
From
€750
7 days
ex flights
Kayaking wildlife safari in the Swedish Archipelago
Seal and bird watching expedition by kayak
From
€1005
5 days
ex flights
Exuma Cays kayaking vacation in The Bahamas
Explore Uninhabited Cays in the Islands of The Bahamas.
From
US $1995
6 days
ex flights
Mexico sea kayaking vacation in Baja
Explore the cobalt waters of Baja California
From
£1957
11 days
ex flights
Papua New Guinea sea kayaking vacation
Unique sea kayaking adventure in Papua New Guinea
From
US $2750
9 days
ex flights
Sea kayaking vacation in the Bahamas
Adventure with the comfort of a live aboard charter vessel.
From
US $2100
7 days
per accommodation
Belize sea kayaking vacation
7 day sea kayaking discovering tropical islands and reefs
From
US $2475
7 days
ex flights
Fiji kayaking vacation
All levels remote island hopping kayaking adventures in Fiji
From
US $2560
14 days
ex flights
Patagonia kayaking vacation
Mothership Sea Kayaking - Explore the Islands of Chile.
From
US $7495
12 days
ex flights
Dolomites hiking and kayaking vacation
Small group kayaking, trekking, biking around Garda's lake
From
€2000
5 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.
There is sea kayaking and there is responsible sea kayaking and, given that it is one of the world’s most popular activities on vacation now, you want to choose wisely.
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. 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.
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 the Saint Anna archipelago, wild and pristine, the most renowned destination for sea kayaking in Sweden.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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