The 15 Best Canoes & Kayaks Tours

1.Kayak Safari and Snorkel in a Marine Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,214 reviews · 150 - 210 minutes · from $29Our pick

Paddle from Los Cristianos with guides such as José, Irina, or Franco toward Guaza’s protected coast. You’ll look for dolphins and turtles, visit a sea cave, snorkel when conditions allow, and spend 150 to 210 minutes on the water. The trip suits active visitors who can manage open-sea kayaking.

“The kayak tour was really good, we had a really nice guide with lots of information. We saw dolphins and turtles and it was a really nice experience. The guide was in for a joke but also serious when it was needed. In summary, a great recommendation!”

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2.Kayak Sea Safari with Snorkel and Snacks

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 639 reviews · 3 hours · from $41

Paddle from Los Cristianos Beach to Lovers Cave with a certified guide such as Didi, Moses, Daniel, or Santiago. Stop for snorkeling, fish, turtles, and possible dolphins, then return for drinks and snacks. Bring a reusable bottle, towel, swimwear, and biodegradable sunscreen.

“The overall experience was amazing and our guide too. The tour was respectful with the animals and we always remained in silence and without chasing them. We were so lucky and got to see turtles, dolphins, and several species of fish when snorkling. The equipment was really good and professional, they have lockers and a clean toilet. Thank you Franco!”

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3.Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 407 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48Top rated

Paddle a sea kayak through historic Shem Creek with a professional guide, watching for bottlenose dolphins, summer manatees, and loggerhead turtles. Coastal Expeditions provides the kayak, paddle, life jacket, and dry bag. The two-hour trip starts and ends at 514 Mill Street.

“Taut was a fantastic guide. We were able to see lots of wildlife on our tour. Lucky enough to see dolphins and a manatee!”

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4.Dublin Bay Seal Kayaking Safari at Dalkey

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 380 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $143

Paddle from historic Bullock Harbour along the Dalkey coast with guides such as Philip, Eavan, Jenny, or Dave. You may reach Dalkey Island, see seals and seabirds, and hear about local history. Gear is supplied, but bring swimwear, spare footwear, and a towel.

“I met Rob at the bay and 5 others shortly after. He did a good job of setting us up and giving us the tricks of the trade. Even has a kayaker at home I learned some things. We paddled out for about 3 hrs with breaks in between of the history of the bay and surrounding isles. We saw a handful of seals sunbathing but none of them came up to the boats. I had fun and a workout at the same time. Would do again.”

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5.Kayak and snorkel with marine life safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 303 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Meet Mana Kayak in Los Cristianos for a guided sea outing with equipment, safety instruction, fruit, juice, and a cereal bar. Paddle toward Pal Mar Cave, watch for dolphins and turtles, then snorkel or rest in your kayak. Guides including Moses, Max, Didi, and Mana lead small groups of up to 12.

“Incredible experience! We met our instructor Moses at the shop. There we changed into bathing suits and were offered the option of wearing a wetsuit. Moses offered us water, juice and some snacks and explained the whole experience before we left. We could store all our stuff safe at the location and were told to not bring anything with us that should not get wet. He stored our glasses and snacks in his wet bag for us and off we went. It’s a short walk to the beach. At the beach he explained how to get in and out of the kayak, then the excursion began. It was the perfect…”

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6.Kayak Safari with Dolphin and Turtle Watching in Guaza

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 284 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $45

Paddle the Guaza coast for about three hours with an English-speaking guide, watching for dolphins, turtles, birds, and fish. You’ll visit Palmar Cave, kayak beneath the Guaza cliffs, and stop to snorkel. Guides such as Joel, Luka, and Casper have been praised for safety and wildlife knowledge.

“What an awesome experience! I’ve never kayaked before and this was completely out of my comfort zone. The guide completely put us at ease and out on the the ocean we all went. We saw dolphins and amazing caves and rock formations from a completely different perspective. Wonderful. Highly recommended :)”

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7.Guided Wildlife and Sea Cave Kayak Safari in English Riviera

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76

Join guide Kieran for a three-hour tandem sea-kayak safari from Oddicombe Beach. Paddle through Devon sea caves, search for fossils, look for seals and birds, sample a wild marine herb, and toast marshmallows at a beach campfire.

“We all loved every moment , it was an outstanding experience. Kieran was a fun guide, informative, patient and friendly.”

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8.Akaroa: 4WD Safari and Guided Sea-Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 120 reviews · 4h 30m · from $80

Travel by 4WD from Akaroa to Flea Bay with guides such as Ben, Kevin, or Vila, then paddle a double kayak along Pōhatu Marine Reserve. Expect sea caves, cliffs, seals, seabirds, and possible dolphins or little penguins. No kayaking experience is needed.

“Lovely afternoon, kayaking was fun (first time for us). We saw lots of wildlife even a small penguin swimming around us. Plenty of seals and birds. The tour guide was lovely and he told us a lot about nature and flea bay. Gorgeous blue water. Great experience.”

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9.Langkawi: Kilim River Mangrove Safari Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 117 reviews · 270 minutes - 5 hours · from $71

Paddle through tidal mangrove channels in Langkawi’s Kilim Karst Geopark with a local guide such as Fauzan, Sham, Zack, or Yan. You’ll visit Bat Cave, watch for kingfishers and monitor lizards, and stop at a floating fish farm for optional seabass lunch.

“Amazing tour and guides had great knowledge. Kayaking in the mangroves was definitely challenging but manageable, and made the experience more exciting and memorable. Shout out to our guide Zack! I came solo and preferred this over kayaking in a pair”

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10.Ketchikan Jeep and Canoe Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 105 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $229

Take turns driving a 4WD Jeep through Tongass National Forest, then paddle a 37-foot Native American-style canoe across Lake Harriet Hunt. Your guide leads a short rainforest walk before serving smoked salmon, clam chowder, bread, jam, coffee, and hot chocolate. Guides such as Amy, Oliver, Goose, and Jose have earned warm praise.

“The jeep ride was truly off-road. Only wish we could have viewed more wildlife. The canoe trip was excellent, the food tasty, and the nature walk very interesting.”

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11.Split: Canoe Safari on the Cetina River

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 95 reviews · 3 - 6 hours · from $53

Leave Split for a 45-minute ride to the Cetina River, then paddle 11 kilometers through calm stretches and gentle grade II rapids. Guides such as Ivan, Iven, Dan, and Ante provide patient instruction, safety gear, and river advice. Bring swimwear, water, lunch, sunscreen, and dry clothes.

“Iven was very patient with 4 novices. The safari was mostly calm waters with some rapids, the longest at the end of the adventure. The trip is suitable for most, we had some 20 years olds in our group, and others in their late 50’s. It was not too strenuous as the river flow took you down the river. Good trip, a very good value for money.”

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12.Canoe safari / rafting on river Zrmanja

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $78

Meet at 10:00 a.m. in Kaštel Žegarski for a guided canoe trip through the Zrmanja Canyon. Expect about four hours on the river, included equipment, a maximum group of 30, and soft drinks, coffee, and tea. The route is active but generally manageable.

“This trip is great if you are young, drink a lot. It is a party boat. Not a scenic cruise. The crew was fabulous, the lunch they served was way beyond expectations.”

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13.Torquay: Guided Wildlife, Bushcraft, Sea Cave Kayak Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 32 reviews · 3 hours · from $74

Paddle from Oddicombe Beach with guide Kieran through Torquay’s caves and coves. You’ll learn about local wildlife and geology, forage for marine herbs, hunt fossils, and stop for a beach fire. Tandem kayaks suit beginners and children over four, while wildlife sightings depend on sea conditions and luck.

“The activity was well planned, we were blessed with a beautiful sunny day and we even saw a seal”

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14.Stavanger: Lysefjord Kayak Safari (Waterfalls & Pulpit Rock)

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 28 reviews · 6 hours · from $291

Join Nordic Paddling for a six-hour guided kayak trip on Lysefjord. After a safety briefing, learn the basics, paddle below Pulpit Rock, visit Vagabond’s Cave and waterfalls, and stop for lunch with wide fjord views. Guides speak English and Norwegian.

“Our tour guide Anna was truly excellent. My sister and I had always wanted to kayak the Fjords and today we did just that. Our guide took the time to teach us about the history of the area, seeing the wildlife there and even a little head rub with a local goat on the side of the fjord. Highly recommend !”

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15.3 Day Algonquin Park Canoe Trip – Moose & Beaver Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · from $555

You’ll paddle, portage, camp, hike, swim, and search for moose and beaver on a three-day Algonquin trip with a maximum of eight people. Guide Andrew and his team provide canoes, camping gear, meals, hammocks, bug jackets, permits, and natural-history instruction.

“We had a wonderful time on the 3-day canoe tour, traveling as a family with 2 kids and with another 2 kids as fellow travelers in our group of 8. The 4 kids gave the group a great dynamics. The trip is extremely well throught out and everRead more”

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