Best Historical Tours Worldwide — Our Top 8

1.Emerald Cave Express Kayak Tour with Scenic & Historic Stops

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,522 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99Our pick

Paddle a stable single or tandem kayak four miles along the Colorado River from Willow Beach to Emerald Cave. Guides such as Ryan, Jeff, Calvin, and Maggie mix river history, wildlife tips, safety help, and humor into the trip. Expect cold water, strong sun, a small glowing cave, and optional hotel pickup, lunch, or Hoover Dam touring.

“First time for me, and had a blast. We really like Soran. Great person and listens to awesome tunes.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Kayak With Dolphins in Historic Shem Creek

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 407 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $48Best value

Launch from Coastal Expeditions in Mount Pleasant for a two-hour guided kayak trip through historic Shem Creek. Your guide handles safety, gear, and local stories as you paddle past shrimp boats, oyster marshes, and Charleston Harbor. Dolphins are common, with summer manatees and occasional loggerhead turtles possible.

“We enjoyed our kayak trip down Shem Creek learning about the low country eco system. Our guide was friendly and knowledgable. I was traveling with my kids 13 & 11 and it was a great way to be active in nature while learning history at the same time!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Half-Day Kayaking and History with Wine delight

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 49 reviews · 5 hours · from $81

Start in Lumbarda with guide Boris or Andre, then paddle sit-in kayaks among Vrnik, Badija, and smaller islands. Explore old quarries and a 14th-century Franciscan monastery, meet wild deer, swim from quiet pebble beaches, and finish with Lumbarda’s GRK wine and homemade Klašun pastries.

“Boris has been one of the best guide we ever had. If I have to recommend 1 activity to do in Korcula, I would definitively go for that one! The circuit to the different islands is easy enough for beginners but still a good work out of 15-30 minutes between the islands. We were on a double kayak and had a lot of fun. The landscape is stunning, the islands are for some of them uninhabited. Boris is a very knowledgeable local guide. Along the way, he gave us a amazing tour (historical, botanical and cultural) and we also had the chance to taste with him, the delicious white wine…”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Historic Hilo Bay and Coconut Island Guided Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $160

Kayak Hilo Bay with a guide from Hilo Ocean Adventures on a roughly two-hour trip to Coconut Island, or Moku Ola. You’ll hear stories about healing waters, ancient refuge traditions, Hilo’s culture, and nearby Lili’uokalani Gardens. Groups are limited to eight, with kayaks, paddles, life vests, juice, and snacks included.

“It poured rain and that made it even more fun! Definitely recommend! Easy for the whole family. We saw a sea turtle too!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Historic Hilo Bay Waterfalls by Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $160

Start at 9 a.m. behind KapohoKine Adventures in Hilo for a two-hour guided kayak or paddle board trip. Your guide leads you past Moku Ola, quiet beaches, possible waterfalls, and a hydroelectric plant, with stories about Hilo and chances to spot honu. Guides may include Victor, Andre, or Montana.

“Victor, he was fantastic, we had so much fun with him. He is great guide. If we were staying longer we would go again. Victor is a gem!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Sunset Kayak: Historic Seville, Triana and La Cartuja

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 2 hours · from $71

Join Andalucía Geographic for a two-hour sunset kayak on Seville’s calm Guadalquivir. You’ll paddle past Triana, the Torre del Oro, La Cartuja, and the Giralda while guides such as Ramon and Ali share local facts. Beginners are welcome, and kayaks, life jackets, lockers, waterproof gear, and GoPro photos are included.

“We did the sunset kayak with Ali and loved it. It was a fun experience that gave us a very unique perspective on the city and Ali was super friendly and gave us some fun facts during the kayaking. We started at 6:30pm and did the 2 hour kayak so we got to experience the daylight, sunset, and evening views from the river.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Miyajima World Heritage Torii Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 2 hours · from $96

Launch from a beach near Miyajima Pier and paddle with an English or Japanese guide toward the Great Torii. Shin and Solene lead a relaxed, beginner-friendly route past Nagahama Shrine and Kiyomori Shrine, with time for photos and a possible shore stop. Equipment and digital photos are included.

“Super intéressant ! Guide très sympa ! Excursion unique !”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Historic Hilo Bay & Coconut Island SUP Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $100

Paddle Hilo Bay for about two hours with a guide, stopping at Coconut Island and passing Queen Liliuokalani Gardens, coves, tide pools, and rainforest. Guides such as Isaiah and Matt add local stories about Hilo’s past. Boards, paddles, life jackets, juice, and snacks are included. Ages 8 and up are welcome.

“Starting with the Pro's of our adventure: Isaiah was a great adventure guide. He was very knowledgeable of Coconut Island and the history behind it. He was patient with us and didnt rush us to get around the island. He stayed close to us tRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review