Kayak & canoe · LAKE KAYAKING
No tide, no swell and nothing to read but the wind. These 15 lake paddles suit a first trip or a long slow one, priced by the hour and clear about how far from the launch you actually get.
Paddle roughly five miles across calm Mendenhall Lake toward Mendenhall Glacier in a stable canoe with an expert guide. You will receive safety instruction, waterproof gear, snacks, and a hot drink, with guides such as Luke, Mason, Issy, Ben, and Rod leading recent trips. This is an active canoe trip, not a hike.
“Issy’s great! The tour is a must in Juneau. Best to do there. It’s a wonderful experience. Amazing tour.”
Escape Rome for a three-hour kayak tour on volcanic Lake Albano. Guides such as Simone, Enrico, Andrea, and Matteo help beginners paddle past Castel Gandolfo, Domitian’s Roman port, and the Pope’s Trampoline. Swim from a secluded shore, enjoy pizza, then return by van to Anagnina.
“amzing. refreshing activity in an otherwise hot week. Andrea, Andrea and Enrico took their time showing, explaining and getting everyone on board. all with a smile. nice explanation, beautifull views. overall, highly recomended!”
Spend about three hours kayaking around Lake Albano with guides such as Alex, Michael, or Carlotta. After a short lesson, paddle past Le Macine, the Pope’s diving board, and old hermits’ houses, then stop for a swim, water, and pizza. Pickup is available from Anagnina Metro station.
“This was a great experience away from the busy city of Rome. Laura picked us up at the train station and provided a great time from start to finish.”
Set out from Pescallo near Bellagio in an open-deck kayak with a local guide such as Michele, Mich, or Daniele. After a safety briefing and paddling lesson, circle the Bellagio peninsula, passing Villa Serbelloni, Punta Spartivento, Villa Fanny, and the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. Expect beautiful views, light exercise, and a good chance of getting wet.
“Great way to start the morning! We learned a lot from the guide and it was well organized. The views from the water were beautiful!”
Join Hightide Kayak School in Bönigen for a three-hour guided paddle on Lake Brienz, with about two hours on the water. You’ll cross the Lütschine, pass cliffs, hidden beaches, and Ringgenberg Castle, and learn from guides such as Ben, Sona, Ryan, or Chris. Kayak gear, safety equipment, and photos are included.
“Fun day on the water. Easy kayaking. Beautiful water and scenery. Barry was knowledgeable, attentive and made a fun afternoon for our family ( young adults)”
Meet Riverside Adventures Waikato in Piarere for a guided evening kayak on Lake Karapiro and the Pokaiwhenua Stream. You paddle for about an hour at a time, watch native birds and rock formations in daylight, then return through the dark to see glowworms. Kayaks, wet gear, shoes, safety equipment, and dry bags are provided.
“Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, so was it wet? Yes. Was it cold? Also yes. Was it atmospheric AF to drift in the river in the dark while the bioluminescent worms shine around you like a constellations of stars so close it feel you caRead more”
Paddle a performance kayak from Antelope Point into Water Antelope Canyon, a water-access-only slot canyon. Your CPR and first-aid-certified guide leads the route, shares Page-area history, helps with photos, and keeps the pace friendly for first-time kayakers. Allow about four hours, plus time for weather-related changes.
“Justin was a great guide! He was very informative about Lake Powell and the canyon. Would highly recommend. We were nervous about going in the "off season" but the weather ended up being great as well!”
Paddle across turquoise Lake Brienz from Bönigen with a guide such as Sean, Ryan, Chris, or Patrizia. You receive a kayak, dry suit, warm layers, instruction, and photos. No previous kayaking experience is needed, but you must handle the kayak yourself. Expect about three hours on the lake, with mountain views and possible tea and biscuits afloat.
“Karel toured us around Lake Brienz; we had a great time with beautiful views & good conversation. Would recommend!”
Meet at Saguaro Lake Ranch, get fitted with a single sit-on-top kayak or paddleboard, and ride to the lake launch. A short safety lesson covers paddling and lake geography, then you have two hours to explore cliffs, canyons, Willow Creek, and quiet coves at your own pace. No tandem kayaks are available.
“The staff were very friendly and sights beautiful! It was a wonderful day on the water for our teens.”
Paddle from Antelope Point Launch Ramp through Lake Powell and into Antelope Canyon, then leave your kayak for a slot-canyon hike and swim. Guides including Ian, Ben, Manny, and Lucas provide instruction, safety help, photo stops, and local context. You need reasonable fitness, sun protection, water, and shoes that can handle sand and wet ground.
“Ben was a great guide to bring us safely to Antelope Canyon and back! The paddling against the wind was quite hard, but I managed (solo kayak!) and had a lot of fun.”
You’ll paddle through Klong Root’s clear spring-fed water with an English-speaking guide, stop to swim and feed fish, then visit a pineapple plantation. Hotel pickup, kayaks, life jackets, fruit, drinks, and a community forest fee are included. Morning trips are cooler and usually quieter.
“Awesome people amazing food and a very fun activity”
Start at Grant Marina at 9 a.m. for a guided paddle along Yellowstone Lake toward West Thumb Geyser Basin. You’ll learn basic kayak skills, see geothermal features from the water, stop for a beach picnic, and return in a single or tandem kayak. No prior experience is required, but expect cold, wet, changeable weather and steady paddling.
“Max and Tom were the best guides ever! So much information that made the trip a great memory. Wonderful experience and highly recommend these guys and this trip”
Paddle Express takes you 2.5 miles across Lake Powell to Antelope Canyon, then on a two-thirds-mile canyon walk before returning by kayak. The four-hour outing includes kayaks, paddles, PFDs, instruction, dry bags on request, and local geology. Guides may include Sean, Jayce, CJ, or Terry. Bring water, snacks, and sport sandals.
“Did not start at 7am No dry bag given Best for not beginners Guide very helpful, knowledgeable and overall very nice”
Paddle Lake Brienz from Bönigen with Hightide Kayak School on a three-hour winter outing. You’ll use a sealed drysuit, boots, gloves, and warm socks, then follow an English- or German-speaking guide past Ringgenberg Castle. The small group has no more than six people, with tea, cookies, and digital photos included.
“An excellent experience. I highly recommend winter kayaking. Our guide Karol was excellent. He worked patiently with anyone who was a new beginner. He took his time to teach everyone. He took lots of photos of the experience and then shared them with the group. The experience was tranquil and he was kind and thoughtful. A must ...activity to do while in Interlaken. We were even given hot tea and cookies for a short little break in the middle of the lake.”
Spend one hour paddling a double-seat kayak on São Miguel’s Blue Lake, set inside the volcanic crater of Sete Cidades. Azores For All provides the kayak, vest, flippers, and insurance. Staff speak English and Portuguese, and solo paddlers can use the double kayak alone. A two-hour booking gives you more time to explore.
“Very friendly owner and great way to see all of the lake! Definitely recommend.”
Pick a coast, a cave or a river.
