Some of the world’s most beautiful scenery cannot be accessed through road, but through water channels. That is what kayaking has to offer; a serene expedition out in the water that not only keeps you close to the nature but also makes you healthy.
If you are not afraid to put in a little work, these outstanding kayaking routes await you. Check out the ten best kayaking destinations around the world.
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1. The Amazon, Brazil
If you are a fearless nature lover, you must have The Mighty Amazon on your bucket list. Here is a way you can mark it off and earn some major bragging rights.
The Amazon Rainforest is home to millions of reptiles and birds. While you may not wish to get in the way of Anaconda and rattlesnakes (since you are not a Nat Geo photographer or scientist), you can kayak your way into the forest for an unbiased view. There is no better way of exploring the forest than through the Amazon River that meanders into a vastness that only the best-conserved region of South America can give.
2. Kenai Fjords National Park, USA
Kenai Fjords National Park is an expanse of nothingness but a white sheet of ice. There is no better way of exploring this Alaskan wilderness than through a kayak. Caves hidden among the fjords, magical uncharted coves, floating icebergs, and remnants of the ice age will be there to welcome you into this Alaskan wild. If you are lucky, you could see a sea lion or a humpback whale.
The Alaskan waters are not for beginners when it comes to kayak fishing especially. They are best left to the experienced kayakers due to the unpredictability of the sea. If you really want to explore them and catch the bait, it is safe to pick one of the best fishing kayaks and a guide who can show you the way in and out.
3. Kefalonia, Greece
Kefalonia, the charming island of the Ionians, is an all-around sunny place that captures your heart the moment you get there.
The Kefalonian shoreline, which is vast and unexploited, is breathtaking from any angle. Get away from mainland Greece and discover hidden coves, caves, and sandy beaches that you can only access through your kayak.
The island covers over 700km, all of which is visible from the sea. At night, the lights in the city light up to form the most beautiful scenery in Greece.
4. Crete’s Southern Coast, Greece
Greece has some of the most iconic scenes in the world. Crete, the largest island in Greece measuring 3,219 square miles, is an idyllic holiday destination. The southern part of Crete is not any different. The mountainous region surrounded by the sea is a beauty to explore from a kayak. You have your scary hidden caves that you have to summon some level of bravado to go through and the pink beaches to look forward to after an exhilarating experience.
Your kayak will take you from one tiny village to the next, where you can explore the indigenous culture of the Greeks. The water is calm enough to paddle through, and tour companies in the island usually organize the trips. You can always ask for a guide.
5. Na Pali Coast, Kauai
2,000 ft. sea cliffs, mist-covered valleys, lava-covered sea caves, massive, endless waterfalls that pour into the Pacific, and remote beaches are just a sample of this Kauai haven. You will be excused for not wishing to end your kayaking vacation. This area of the island is untouched, and so there are no hotels or other distractions of nature; just pure undistracted natural reserves. There are no roads here, so the only way into this beauty is through a kayak.
If you stick around long enough, a dolphin or a monk seal will salute you by showing off their skills in their natural habitat.
6. Fiordland, New Zealand
Fiordland is practically uninhabited. The area has a population of less than 50 and has no roads or buildings to disturb the natural setting. You can only access this town through water or air. Fiordland is ideal for kayaking, given the peaceful nature surrounding it. A trip down the waterways will allow you access to thousands of acres of woodland, and a visual of the picturesque Southern Alps.
The region is home to the famous Mitre Peak, Doubtful Sound, and Milford Sound. You can also kayak your way to the lakeside towns of Te Anau and Manapouri.
7. Svalbard, Norway
There is something about melting glaciers and sheltered waters that appeals deeply to the soul. These fjords of Norway allow you to have your moment in a serene setting that is undisturbed by any other noise than that of sea creatures calling to their young.
The surrounding mountains are picture perfect, like layers of ice placed upon each other. The melting glacier makes its way into the sea, to present a charred waterscape. In your kayak, you will have an unblocked view of the wild at its best. Make your way through the narrow fjords and experience boundless joy.
8. Andean Fjords, Patagonia, Chile
Where the dramatic Andes Mountains meet the sea, the world is rewarded in a picture-perfect landscape. As you would expect, you can only see this side of Chile from the waters. A trip into the sea will open the intimidating mountains with their snow-capped peaks and forested areas that lead up there.
If you venture into the fjords, you will see playful dolphins, penguins, and sea lions. The beach is equally uninhabited, so, skinny-dipping anyone?
9. Fijian Islands
Fiji is home to over 300 islands, all of which are beautiful especially when explored from a boat. The clear and calm water at this side of the Pacific makes paddling a blast for kayakers. The view of the breathtaking surroundings of nature is out of this world. Fish of all kinds swim so close to the surface that you could catch them with your bare hands.
To cap it all, the people of the Islands are warm towards tourists.
10. The Dalmatian Coast Croatia
The Dalmatian Coast is a long stretch, covering over 1,000 Islands in Croatia and Montenegro. The exploration is endless, as you go from one hidden cave to the next, maneuver hundreds of inlets, and discover the hidden coves. There is never a dull moment on this part of the sea.
When you settle down after your tiring but exhilarating adventure, you can dig into the culture around you and the delicious seafood.
Best Kayaking Destinations
The world is beyond beautiful when viewed from a unique perspective, where human interference does not reach. In the sea, your only companion is the noise of breaking waves and the sound of birds from the nearby forests. Serenity.
