Top 6 kayaking destinations in the world
Tours TravelAs a kayaker, whether you want a slow-paced adventure or cutting and folding your way through a curtain of white water, there are destinations to fulfill any kayaker’s wish list. When considering top kayaking destinations, there are several factors to consider. These factors include closeness to nature, abundant and varied wildlife, and adventure. Opportunities for all skill levels play an important role in considering the best destination. The above factors are not the only factors. We have just named a few.
Kayaking is an exciting sport and recreational activity for all ages. Provides a great full body exercise. In addition, each kayaker can enjoy the surrounding natural environment as closely as possible. As much as there are fantastic and exciting places to kayak in the world, there are destinations that every kayaker should never miss. Some of the main destinations for kayaking are:
1. Glacier Bay, Alaska:
Since John Muir visited Glacier Bay in 1879, the area has opened up countless fjords and bays for sea kayaking and has offered 16 tidal water glaciers to explore. The area offers another advantage, that is, one has the best chance of witnessing the stages of plant succession left by receding glaciers. The ‘bush’ in Alaska, as it is known locally, is made up of tundra, salt marshes and dozens of active volcanoes along with the Aleutian Islands, an archipelago of 300 inhabitants that stretches like Christmas lights between America and Asia.
Alaska is home to a fascinating diversity of wildlife. The terrestrial fauna includes wolves, beavers and elk, while the waters of the peninsula abound with sea lions, whales and marine colonies. Alaska is a huge place with a wealth of options for adventure seekers and the question is how to fit it all together to get the best of all the options available in Alaska.
2. Kayak in Baja, Mexico.
With roughly 2000 miles of wild and rugged coastline and just a short drive from the US, it makes the Gulf of California one of the top kayaking destinations in the world. Drive through coves, around rocks, to caves, empty beaches, or whale watching on the many kayak routes offered here. There are about 100 islands in the Gulf of California, about half of them protected as ultra-biodiverse reserve sites and all surrounded by crystal blue seas. The climate in this area is temperate all year round and enjoys calmer seas thanks to the shielding of the peninsula itself.
As you cruise Baja, you are sure to see marine animals visiting this secluded paradise as you kayak through calm, clear waters and marvel at the enchanting bottoms of the islands. Aside from kayaking, the region is now seeing a return to its unique biodiversity that was once threatened by overfishing. In Baja Mexico, there are large colonies of endemic species to the region, as well as a staggering number of rare plant species that are around 3,500 species in total, many of which are found nowhere else in the world.
3. Kayaking in New Zealand.
New Zealand literally has everything to offer. Along with the giant national park, it has great kayaking spots. The bay has remote coves, beaches, caves, and a year-round tropical climate, so you can visit when you have time. New Zealand offers a wide variety of wildlife. The Milford Sound is New Zealand’s biggest attraction and was formed over millions of years of glacial activities.
The Milford Sound offers an uneven beauty whose scale and majesty sets it apart from anywhere else on the planet. The mountains in this area are huge and lush with vegetation, waterfalls cascading hundreds of meters down the vertical cliff walls, and the seas running through the valleys that are very clear. As you ascend through lush beech rainforest and to the alpine setting at the top, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, alpine lakes, and deep scrub-covered valleys.
4. Dalmatian coast in Croatia
The Croatian coast is lined with pine forests and limestone cliffs. It is not necessarily the tropical paradise found in the South Pacific, but it is a unique and engaging journey that you will surely not forget. The large number of islands off the Croatian coast will give you many options on where to go.
5. Greek Islands.
For those of us who really prefer kayaking, the Greek islands offer thousands of excellent waters for sea kayaking. On these islands where sea kayaking is civilized, it is possible to paddle from one island to another. There are plenty of remote coves and places you can kayak to.
One of the islands of the Cyclades in Greece is Milos. It has a Mamma Mia-like setting of turquoise blue seas, which blend with the skies and pale golden sands. Milos’ main claim to fame is that it is the location where the Venus de Milo statue was found in 1820, but the man-made artifacts pale in comparison when you look at the natural beauty of Milos. Milos’s lunar landscape, where rocky crops of burnt reds, earthy browns, and deep whites meet, is a great scene-stealer on any ancient artifact. Since you will be sea kayaking off the coast of Milos, you will be able to go where most other boats cannot.
6. The west coast of Scotland.
Scotland’s west coast is home to a host of sea lakes, inlets and islands dotted amongst a painfully beautiful mountainous panorama and it’s hard to think of a better way to explore the area than by sea kayak.
Scotland is blessed with all kinds of fantastic waters for kayaking, but its coastline and the sea kayaking it offers are truly a jewel in its crown of water. Walking along the Scottish shores, you can see thousands of miles of inlets, sea caves, coves and islands to explore and sea kayaking is the perfect boat for the job.
Wherever you go, you will find an abundance of wildlife, ancient culture and the Scots are famous for their hospitality. The west coast offers fantastic sandy beaches, rugged reefs and wildlife in abundance. You can enjoy the beauty of the area while the seals curiously swim under your boat. It is simply a magical area to practice kayaking in the sea.