Indigenous Inuit, Aleut, and Yup’ik peoples designed kayaks so hunters could skip quickly and agilely through frigid subarctic waters. Today, these leaf-shaped boats anchor the most popular of all paddle sports, recreational kayaking, all over the world.
This low-impact, full-body workout opens a window into nature, and the soft sounds help paddlers observe skittish wildlife usually scared away by boat motors and other vessels. Kayaks also skim the surface of the water, avoiding damage to aquatic habitats and encouraging responsible stewardship. Best of all? You’re right there at the waterline, exploring the world at a human scale and under your own power.
Whether you’re chasing icebergs, looking for turtles, or drifting lazily down a river, pair your adventures with a comfortable hotel stay to make the most of your downtime. Read on to discover the best places in the world to kayak and get recharged — both indoors and out.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Best Place to Learn to Kayak
Kawela Bay, Oahu, Hawaii
The island has plenty of world-class kayaking, but no paddle is more beginner-friendly than Kawela Bay. This secluded beach has soft sand and comparatively calm waters, despite being on the North Shore, which is most famous for the epic surf scene near Banzai Pipeline. Resident honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) swim in this mellow cove almost daily, and sharp-eyed visitors also spot Hawaiian monk seals, one of the world’s most endangered species.
Guests at The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay can paddle an outrigger (all ages) or take a kayak turtle tour (ages 4 and up) without leaving the resort’s expansive grounds. Shaka Kayaks runs these excursions and adheres to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulations on viewing threatened species. You’ll visit basking rocks and turtle feeding grounds, and the itinerary also includes Shaka Rock, where advanced paddlers can try kayak-surfing if conditions permit.
The Ritz-Carlton O‘ahu, Turtle Bay remains the only resort on the rugged North Shore. This luxe eco-friendly property harvests solar energy and boasts a working farm that generates produce, including traditional Hawaiian crops and medicinal plants.
Beginner-Friendly Destinations for Kayaking
Eastern Coast of Bali, Indonesia
Today this island province’s tranquil waters and stunning scenery — sweeping from rice paddies to golden beaches — make it one of the world’s top travel destinations. Sea kayakers most often gravitate to the eastern coast of Bali between Amed, Sanur, and Nusa Dua, an area of towering cliffs and calm pristine seas.
Step into serenity at The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali, a five-star resort with signature wellness programs — there’s even a wellness ambassador. A spa, private beach, and enriching kids club make this a popular choice, and its three pools include a freeform freshwater lagoon fringed by waterfalls and tropical gardens.
Gulf of California, Baja California Sur, Mexico
In Baja California Sur, the Sonoran Desert meets the indigo Sea of Cortez, which oceanographer Jacques Cousteau dubbed the “Aquarium of the World” for its biodiversity.
Paddle beginner-friendly turquoise waters around Isla Espíritu Santo, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hop on a day-trip boat out of La Paz, and then sea kayak, keeping an eye out for dolphins, sea lions, turtles, whales, and wide-mouthed whale sharks guzzling plankton. You’ll also spot splendid sugar-white beaches and sienna cliffs fringed by some of the world’s tallest cactuses.
Stay in a 1910s mission-style hacienda at Baja Club Hotel, La Paz, Baja California Sur, a Member of Design Hotels on La Paz’s malecón (coastal boardwalk). It pairs ironwork, terrazzo floors, and massive timber beams with chic minimalist rooms, some with private courtyards or balconies to soak in the sunshine and coastal-living vibes.
Li River, Guangxi, China
Eroded sandstone mountains surround the Lijiang (Li) River, which winds past cliffs, natural arches, fishing villages, and a market town with Ming dynasty architecture. Gentle enough for all levels of kayaking experience, the Li and its tributaries open a window into rural riverside life.
Ideal weather and water levels make April to November the best time to kayak this slow scenic river, whose most spectacular stretch flows around 11 miles southeast between Yangdixiang and Xingpingzhen. This includes Yellow Cloth Shoal, where seven domed peaks are reflected on the water on calm, clear days — a sight that may be familiar from China’s 20-yuan bank note, not to mention countless works of art and poetry.
Sleep on the Li River’s banks at the elegant Sheraton Guilin Hotel. Bring the beauty of the Li indoors by booking a suite with a river view, unwind by the outdoor pool, and enjoy the Cantonese and Sichuan flavors of Cathay Room.
Crete, Symi, and Skiathos, Greece
Get your fill of ancient palaces and amazing paddles in the balmy Mediterranean. Start at Crete’s Knossos, a UNESCO World Heritage site and reputed home of mythology’s Minotaur. The remarkably well-preserved ruins sit a half-hour drive west of Alai Crete, a Tribute Portfolio Resort, which has direct access to a sandy beach and ouzo-clear waters you can paddle around.
Adventure beyond Crete to get a better sense of what the Grecian islands have to offer kayakers by flying to Rhodes and then taking a ferry to Symi, a Dodecanese island in the country’s sunniest corner. Enjoy mellow sea kayaking past hidden coves, ancient temples, whitewashed chapels, and neoclassical architecture, often in bright hues like ochre and salmon.
Or consider a flight to Skiathos, a cosmopolitan island in the Northern Sporades blending nightlife, cobbled streets, and red-tiled roofs with Venetian ruins and fragrant pine forests. Forget any wrathful mental images of the ancient Greek sea god Poseidon. Instead, enjoy gentle journeys through calm, sheltered waters perfect for novice paddlers.
Best Intermediate Kayaking Destinations
Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System, Belize
This UNESCO World Heritage Site conserves the Western Hemisphere’s most pristine reef ecosystems. The reefs serve as a massive breakwater, creating relatively calm seas where kayakers can weave among atolls, wrecks, coral reefs, mangrove islands, and sugar-sand beaches.
Glover’s Reef Marine Reserve remains a favorite spot for kayaking, along with Half Moon Caye, a crescent-shaped island and the Western Hemisphere’s only sanctuary for red-footed boobies. Lighthouse Reef, punctuated by the Great Blue Hole, also serves up world-class paddling.
Ambergris Caye provides a good launching pad for adventures. Or stick nearby and cast for bonefish. Either way, stay at the Alaia Belize, Autograph Collection, a family-friendly hotel pairing the mellow local vibe with modern conveniences and sleek style, just 600 yards from the barrier reef.
Inside Passage, Vancouver Island, Canada
This sheltered sea route extends from Seattle more than 1,000 miles north to the Gold Rush boom town of Skagway, Alaska. One of the Inside Passage’s best paddling playgrounds lies around Vancouver Island, a short ferry hop from Washington State and the Canadian mainland. Orcas breach and eagles skim over the coastal temperate rainforest in this region, which is also renowned for salmon fishing.
Experienced kayakers gravitate toward Johnstone Strait, located between Vancouver Island and the mainland. On the west coast of Vancouver Island, they also explore the Broken Group Islands and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve, including around Meares Island and Hot Springs Cove.
Visitors to the province’s capital, Victoria, can also hit the waters of the Inside Passage. Half-day, all-level tours explore the city’s shoreline, and you can often spot harbor seals and river otters. Kelp Reef Adventures remains a favorite outfitter and runs out of Fisherman’s Wharf, a cheerful dock teeming with restaurants and whale watching boats.
Get your “vitamin sea” while also enjoying the rugged beauty of Vancouver Island at The Westin Bear Mountain Golf Resort & Spa, Victoria, 12 miles northwest of Victoria. This upscale lodge features a mountain concierge, a slopeside spa, elevated dining, and stunning views.
Best Destinations for Advanced Kayakers
Iceberg Alley, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Each spring and summer, ancient glaciers calve, shearing massive chunks of ice into the Atlantic. Glide (very carefully) along the craggy coastline, staying alert for puffins, harp seals, and some of the area’s 22 species of whales. Heed safety warnings carefully, though: Sudden weather changes, strong ocean currents, and near-freezing water temperatures (drysuits recommended) make this area too challenging for most newbies.
Kayakers often stage out of the provincial capital 275 miles southeast, as St. John’s International Airport is the primary hub for international travel to the area. Spend a night or two at Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites St. John’s Newfoundland, a four-star eco-certified hotel that wins rave reviews for its indoor pool, spacious rooms, and bountiful free breakfast buffet.
Lake Tahoe, California
A 72-mile water trail helps paddlers navigate Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada range’s largest freshwater lake, which straddles the California-Nevada border. Five million years ago, tectonic plates collided to form mountains and a steep basin draining rain and snowmelt to the north. Volcanic lava and mudflows later plugged this exit, creating a vast, deep, high-alpine body of water that also happens to be gorgeous to look at.
Expect occasional strong winds and rapidly changing weather conditions. Life jackets are a staple here, as water temperatures average 42°F (5.5°C) in winter and 70°F (21°C) during the summer. Even veteran paddlers and open-water swimmers can experience dangerous cold shock if suddenly immersed.
Set in the mountains of Lake Tahoe, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe makes for a superb stay, just nine miles from the laid-back North Shore, where you can eat, shop, and visit funky art galleries. Explore the shoreline on your own or reserve a spot at the Lake Club, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, which offers a private pier and beach access, plus complimentary kayaks or stand-up paddleboards to chart your own course, or book a kayaking tour.
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