Where to Paddle: the 10 Best Dining Experiences Worldwide

1.Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 247 reviews · 4.5 hours · from $135Our pick

Starting at Mesa Pigadia, this 4.5-hour guided kayak tour follows Santorini’s south coast past White Beach and Red Beach, with a swim, sea cave, snack, and sunset near Black Mountain. BCU-certified guides such as Niki, Alex, Costas, and Panos lead the trip, followed by dinner at a local tavern.

“The trip was fantastic including the training for beginners before setting put. Our guides were super engaging and funny and made it a great time. We loved our experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 214 reviews · 3 hours · from $84

Meet Kayak Melbourne in Docklands before sunset for a guided paddle through Victoria Harbour and along the Yarra. You’ll learn in stable two-person sea kayaks, pause for fish and chips at a marina, then pass Crown Casino, Southbank, Flinders Street Station, and Princes Bridge as the city lights come on. No kayaking experience is required.

“We had a great time with Jammo and Ben. Was a great evening. Nice fish and fishes for dinner. The length of the tour was just right.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Dinner Cruise on a Paddle Wheel Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 149 reviews · 2 hours · from $69

Cruise the Intracoastal Waterway aboard the Barefoot Queen, a paddle wheel-style riverboat with indoor and outdoor decks. You’ll enjoy dinner, dessert, water, tea, live music, and local commentary, with beer, wine, and liquor available for purchase. Captain Tuck and entertainers such as Wes, Audrey, and Les have helped make past sailings warm and lively.

“Great food, great service, great cruise in the intercostal waterway, highly recommend for a chill couples night out”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Lake Rotoiti Evening Kayak Tour including Hot Springs, Glowworm Caves and BBQ Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $135Top rated

Spend about seven hours kayaking Lake Rotoiti with an expert guide, soaking in lakeside hot pools, eating a Kiwi barbecue, and paddling into glowworm and crayfish caves. No kayaking experience is needed. Guides such as Justin and Ricky are praised for clear instruction and engaging local stories. Pickup and drop-off from Rotorua are included.

“This was really an excellent tour. We were a group of 5 + our motivated guide Ricky. He did a super nice job and everything what was included was fun. I highly recommend this tour. Thanks Ricky for an unforgettable afternoon/ evening 😀👍”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Firefly Watching Paddle Boat Tour & Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 47 reviews · 4 hours · from $27Best value

Spend an evening outside Puerto Princesa with hotel pickup, dinner at Swag Restaurant, and a guided paddle-boat trip on the Sicsican River. You will travel by motorized boat from Baywalk, then move quietly along the mangroves to look for fireflies. English guiding, life vests, transfers, and dinner are included. Bring insect repellent and skip flash photography.

“Great evening activity. The guide was excellent, food was good, and the boat trip accords the bay way lovely and relaxing”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Small-Group Guided Sunset Canoe Tour in Waterland with Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 4 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $96

Leave Amsterdam by public transport for Waterland, where guide Majel welcomes you with a drink before leading an easy canoe trip through reed beds, meadows, and quiet village waterways. You’ll stop on an island for a picnic dinner with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Bring layers, rain gear, and allergy medicine.

“I had a great time on this canoeing tour. It starts with some simple canoeing through the water lands for about an hour or so, while enjoying the beautiful scenery. After which, Majel prepared a wonderful picnic at a great spot. It's a great tour, away from the bustle of the city. =)”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.2D1N Halong Bay 6-Star Cruise: Fine Dining, Cave & Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 41 reviews · from $239

Spend one night aboard a 6-star Halong Bay floating resort, with a private balcony, bathtub, fine dining, Sung Sot Cave, Titop Island, and kayaking at Luon Cave. Cruise manager Dan and the crew handle the onboard schedule, while English-speaking staff lead the activities. Hanoi transport costs an extra $35 per person.

“All activities on time, the cruise was amazing and trekking was incredible.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.James Bond Island Canoeing & Sunset Yacht Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 36 reviews · 390 - 450 minutes · from $167

You’ll leave Phuket around midday for Phang Nga Bay aboard a spacious power catamaran. Visit James Bond Island, paddle through Hong Island’s caves and lagoons with an English-speaking guide, then enjoy dinner, drinks, fruit, and sunset views near Ao Por Pier. Hotel pickup is optional.

“The whole day was very well organized. Plenty of room on the boat. Water, soft drinks and pop provided free. Snacks, appetizers and main dinner was all delicious. Highly recommended.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4h 30m · from $209

Paddle Lake Rotoiti at dusk with a guide such as Cian or Tom, visit a small glowworm cave, then reach the water-access-only Manupirua Hot Pools. A cooked barbecue dinner, Kiwi ice cream, Māori stories, and star reflections make this a full evening outing. Basic kayaking skills and moderate fitness are needed.

“Thoroughly enjoyed our evening kayak trip with Cian. He was fun, knowledgeable and told us Māori creation stories in a magical glowworm cave. The hot pools were really lovely and dinner was delicious. The weather gods were kind and we had the moon and stars reflecting off the glassy lake on the way home. Can totally recommend 😊”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Moonlight Kayak with Dinner Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $59

Meet your guide at Camping Platja Paradís near Villajoyosa for a two-and-a-half-hour night paddle through the coves of La Vila Joiosa. You’ll use a stable single or double kayak, stop for dinner on a quiet beach, and may swim beneath the moon. Guides such as David and Miguel have been praised for their care.

Check availability →Read our full review