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.

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.

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. And if you are turtle watching in Turkey, very strict rules of non-disturbance must be adhered to. 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.

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.

• Don’t forget to bring water. Easily done as you are heading out on to the water, so it isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind. But you get quickly dehydrated when sea kayaking as it works you harder than you might think. And no disposable plastic bottles please, they're light enough to fall in if the conditions get choppy.
• Beware of the weather conditions at all times. If you want to rent a kayak independently, don’t be fooled by calm waters and blue skies. This is the sea, and winds can come out of nowhere, carrying you when you least expect it. Generally, if you are kayaking without a guide, best not to go more than 400 metres from the shore.
• Having the right gear is key, not only for safety, but to protect you from the elements. If you find your gear is faulty, or dodgy, tell your guides. It is not acceptable.
• Litter is always a no no. Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times, including if you land on an island and build a fire. Even fruit peelings and seeds. Take them away, as they mess with the natural ecosystems.
• Even if it’s cloudy be safe and protect yourself from the sun at all times as you will be very exposed. Eco-friendly sun creams are always advised but especially so when you are dipping in and out of the water. Wear a hat, if helmets are not being worn.

Photo credits: [Kayaking near rocks: Zachary Collier] [Whale: Mike Baird] [Rubbish collection: John Gray] [Life jackets: Barbara Eckstein]