The best sea kayaking spots in the world
Sea kayaking is an environmentally-friendly water sports and leisure activity, ideal for enjoying a getaway close to nature, in the peace and quiet of breathtaking scenery. And among the countless sites where sea kayaking is possible, some stand out above the rest!
Sea kayaking is available all year round, all over the world, and is accessible even to complete beginners who have never paddled before, making it the perfect experience for all types of adventurer. Whether aboard a sit-on-top kayak (open hull) or a decked / sit-in kayak (closed hull), many natural sites can be discovered by sea kayak: fjords, glaciers, underwater caves, creeks, lagoons, etc. - the choice is endless! So if you're wondering where to enjoy an unforgettable sea kayaking excursion on a future trip, be sure to check out this top 10 list of the best sea kayaking spots in the world!
Glaciers in the northern hemisphere
If you're planning a trip to the Arctic Circle (Greenland, Iceland, Lapland, Alaska, etc.), be sure to try sea kayaking in the glaciers: as well as making you feel very small in front of these impressive blocks of ice, this experience will give you some exceptional memories of this frozen environment! Your guide will tell you lots of interesting facts about the glaciers and, if you're lucky, you may even come across some local wildlife.
In Iceland, you can sea kayak between the icebergs of the Sólheimajökull glacier lagoon; in Norway, you can discover the Møsevass glacier by sea kayak from Rosendal or sail along the glacier fronts of Svalbard; in Greenland, you can spend several days sea kayaking to observe the icebergs at close quarters; and so on. There are plenty of excursions on offer to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of the glaciers!
The Ionian Islands (Greece)
A much more summery destination, the Greek archipelagos are undoubtedly among the most beautiful places in the world for sea kayaking, especially the Ionian Islands. Between Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada, Kefalonia, Ithaca, Zakynthos and Kythera, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to finding THE site that will leave its mark on you with its breathtaking scenery: turquoise waters teeming with fish, white sandy beaches, underwater caves and more.
If you love Greek mythology, don't miss out on a sea kayaking trip to Ithaca, the island of Ulysses! If you're looking for adventure, why not take a 3-day sea kayaking trip to the Ionian Islands from Nydri in Lefkada?
Baja California (Mexico)
The Baja California peninsula in western Mexico offers breathtaking desert landscapes between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of California, also known as the Sea of Cortez. The Sea of Cortez is also nicknamed the "aquarium of the world", because of the exceptional richness of its underwater flora and fauna. A sea kayak trip with snorkelling breaks is an experience worthy of the name!
Whether it's Los Cabos, La Paz, Bahía de Loreto National Park, etc., a sea kayaking trip in Baja California is a unique getaway!
The Norwegian fjords
Formed by the melting of a glacier that retreated into the sea, fjords are former glacial valleys that have been invaded by the waters of the sea. They are inlets of the sea that plunge into the land, between craggy reliefs that offer splendid natural panoramas. Just like the glaciers, you'll feel very small sailing a sea kayak between these impressive mountains and cliffs!
Many fjords are accessible by sea kayak in Norway: the Hjørundfjorden from Øye, the Romsdalsfjord from Åndalsnes, the Sørfjorden from Lofthus, and so on. Depending on where you are in Norway, it's up to you to decide which fjord to visit!
The Canary Islands
Off the north-west coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are islands of volcanic origin offering extraordinary landscapes. With turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, cliffs of astonishing geology and underwater caves, this archipelago is one of the best places in the world for sea kayaking!
Between Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to sea kayaking adventures in the Canary Islands! Whether you're discovering the cliffs of Los Gigantes in Tenerife, watching turtles and dolphins in Los Cristianos Bay, visiting the Cueva Bonita in La Palma, or any number of other sea kayaking excursions, you'll come away from your experience with stars in your eyes!
Cape Town (South Africa)
South Africa's Cape Peninsula is renowned not only for its scenery, but also for its rich and diverse marine wildlife. So if you have the opportunity to take part in a sea kayaking excursion in Cape Town, don't hesitate for a single second! As well as enjoying breathtaking views from the sea over Table Mountain and the summit of Lion's Head, while paddling you may come across fur seals, bottlenose dolphins, Cape penguins and even whales, all members of the oceans' famous Big 5.
Dalmatia (Croatia)
Bordered by numerous islands, turquoise coves and white sandy beaches, Dalmatia is the perfect place for a sea kayaking excursion that combines relaxation and adventure. Accompanied by a guide, you can even learn more about the region's history and culture, for an incredible local immersion experience!
Sea kayak from Dubrovnik to the island of Lokrum or the Betina cave; sea kayak from Split to discover the city's coastline and its most beautiful beaches, especially at sunset; and sea kayak from Zadar to admire the old town from the sea or go on an adventure among the islands opposite.
Polynesian lagoons
A veritable paradise on Earth, French Polynesia is brimming with crystal-clear lagoons of incomparable beauty and a wealth of natural treasures: coral reefs, turtles, stingrays, blacktip sharks, tropical fish and more. Bordered by sandy beaches and coconut palms, they are naturally among the best places in the world for sea kayaking, combining an idyllic setting with exceptional underwater biodiversity.
In the Society Archipelago, you can sea kayak in Moorea, Tahiti, Bora Bora, etc., on all the possible islands, as well as in the Tuamotu atolls, some of which are veritable natural swimming pools!
The Raja Ampat islands (Indonesia)
Still in a tropical atmosphere, the Raja Ampat islands in West Papua are a small archipelago made up of more than 1,400 small islands, a magnificent labyrinth of jungle, heavenly beaches and turquoise waters. This exceptional site is also one of the best places for diving, with a very high concentration of marine fauna including more than 1,000 species of fish. So if you can discover it by sea kayak, do it!
Corsica
With its coastline lined with superb natural sites, Corsica is a little jewel brimming with sites to discover from the sea: the calanques of Piana, the Sanguinaires archipelago, the Agriates desert, the Lavezzi islands, and so on. And in summer, the translucent waters of the Île de Beauté's wild creeks are perfect for a swimming and snorkelling break during your sea kayaking excursion! Whether you're in Ajaccio, Bonifacio, Propriano, Saint-Florent or Galéria, you'll have no trouble finding sea kayak hire or guided trips to discover the Corsican coastline.
Of course, this list of the best sea kayaking spots in the world is subjective, and you might think that there are other places that aren't mentioned here that should be! But there are so many places to sea kayak that it would be impossible to list them all in one article. So if you want to make up your own mind on the subject, don't hesitate to discover your next sea kayaking destinations!