Kayak & canoe · USA KAYAKING TOURS

The 15 Best Kayaking Tours in the USA

377 tours  ·  from $15 a head

Clear springs in Florida, mangrove tunnels on both coasts, canyon water on the Colorado and sea caves under La Jolla. These 15 sort the American paddling by what it costs, how far it goes and what is underneath you.

Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area - Starting at Billy’s Stone Crab in Tierra Verde
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Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area

1.Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,800 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79Our pick

Meet your guide at Billy’s Stone Crab in Tierra Verde for a small-group clear kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve. Paddle through open water and mangroves, stop for photos and shells, and watch for dolphins, pelicans, spoonbills, fish, and crabs. Guides such as Alessia, Jenna, Ben, and Chris add useful nature stories along the way.

“The shells available on the island are amazing! My six year old loved it…although my arms didn’t love having to paddle for the both of us! Lol.”

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Half-Day Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Hotel Pickup - Starting at Willow Beach Marina
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Half-Day Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Hotel Pickup

2.Half-Day Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,978 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $99

Paddle four miles through Black Canyon to Emerald Cave on a calm, beginner-friendly Colorado River tour. Guides such as Michelle, Preston, Gabby, and Ryan lead small groups, share local wildlife and history, and take photos along the way. Choose a single or tandem kayak, with hotel pickup from Las Vegas or self-drive to Willow Beach.

“Michelle our River Dogz tour operator was so helpful in getting our tour group acclimated with the equipment and kayaks. She gave us super helpful tips on how to navigate the river and also always really knowledgeable on the wildlife we encountered on the adventure (we saw an eagle, lizard, fish, and blue heron!). I appreciated the history and information about the area we explored in our route along the river. Definitely would recommend this experience if you have time from 8:30 am to 5 pm during the day... You'll be back in time for night activities in Vegas if that's what you are going for... It was great.”

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Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Paddle with Optional Shuttle - Choosing between the Mandalay Bay shuttle and self-drive
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Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Paddle with Optional Shuttle

3.Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Paddle with Optional Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,858 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $89

Leave Las Vegas for a guided 5-mile paddle on the Colorado River. From Willow Beach, you’ll kayak through Black Canyon, stop for a short viewpoint hike, and enter Emerald Cave when conditions allow. Guides such as Juston, Kwame, and Robby provide instruction, local stories, photos, water, and snacks. Choose a single or double kayak, with shuttle service from Mandalay Bay available.

“Water was pretty, our guide Justin was hilarious. Nice and easy, beginner friendly. Be careful about timezones if you're coming from Nevada it's an hour early”

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Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour - What the upstream paddle feels like
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Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour

4.Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,459 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Meet behind Kings Landing in Apopka for a 2 to 2.5-hour guided paddle through Emerald Cut on Rock Springs Run. Your guide, often Jacob, Dani, Megan, or David, provides a clear tandem kayak, safety gear, and local stories. Expect cool spring water, shaded bends, wildlife sightings, photo stops, and an optional rope swing or swim.

“Jacob was great and the water way was beautiful but the grounds were mot for cleanness couldn’t wash our hands no soap or water i could go on. The attendant in the front of the store wasn’t too cordial and the lady who came in talking loudly over us to the attendant over us that was crazy rude not professional that’s for sure. Again Jacob was awesome 110 percent.”

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Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour - What happens at 190 Taft Drive
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Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour

5.Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,440 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Paddle Little Sarasota Bay and South Lido’s mangrove tunnels in a single or tandem kayak with Sea Life Kayak Adventures. Guides such as Ian and Kenny explain the plants and wildlife while helping beginners find their rhythm. Manatees and dolphins are possible, but never guaranteed. Life jackets and carbon fiber paddles are included.

“My family & I had an awesome experience, I would definitely use Sea Life again. Tom & our other tour guide were so nice and informative we had a great time because of them! Thank you again Sea Life tours hope to see you again soon!”

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Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip - A self-guided float through Tonto National Forest
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Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip

6.Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,395 reviews · from $57

You’ll paddle a single sit-on-top kayak or paddleboard from Saguaro Lake Ranch down the Lower Salt River for about two hours. Expect basic safety instruction, calm stretches, a few faster sections, wild-horse sightings, and a shuttle back to the ranch. This is unguided, so you need to manage your own boat.

“Amazing time! Worth every penny! Staff were extremely friendly and it was well-organized. What a fun time!”

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Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour - Getting comfortable in the kayak
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Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour

7.Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,205 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80

You’ll paddle calm mangrove creeks near Hurricane Hole Marina with guides such as Brett, Rachel, Heather, or Bethany. Expect easy instruction, single or double kayaks, shallow water, tropical fish, crabs, sea stars, jellyfish, birds, and stories about the geology of the Florida Keys. You must know how to swim.

“It is a wonderful way to understand the ecosystem of the mangroves of Key West. We had Bethany who was a stellar guide.”

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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours - April through November: Three Sisters Springs and swimming
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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

8.Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,830 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Paddle from Kings Bay Park in a stable, fully clear kayak with a small group of up to 10 people. Choose Three Sisters Springs from April 1 to November 14, with time to swim, or the manatee-season tour from November 15 to March 31. Guides such as Crosby, Dmitri, Yas, and Cami share local wildlife knowledge and help you spot manatees, turtles, fish, and birds.

“The tour is excellent. The Kayak is very easy to ride, stable, and safe. The guide was great, and we got to see the manatees up close, even passing below the glass kayak. The guide also took some fantastic pictures of us and shared them with us at the end of the tour.”

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Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset - Sailing Through Key West Harbor
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Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset

9.Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,683 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Sail from 255 Front Street, snorkel above a Florida Keys reef, kayak around mangrove islands, and enjoy snacks, drinks, and a possible sunset. Danger Charters runs this four-and-a-half-hour outing with a professional crew, stable kayaks, winter wetsuits, and a maximum of 20 people. Afternoon trips include the sunset sail back to Key West.

“This was such a great experience! The captain and staff were super fun and had a lot of good information about the area during the trip for first time travelers. Would highly recommend this trip!”

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2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour - Starting at Shelter Cove Marina
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2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour

10.2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,620 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $47Best value

Launch from Shelter Cove Marina for a two-hour guided paddle through Broad Creek’s salt marshes, tidal rivers, and creeks. Guides such as Wayne, Shannon, Paddy, and CT explain local wildlife, island history, and marsh life. Beginners are welcome, and children 12 and under must ride in a double kayak with an adult.

“Experience was pleasant and smooth. The operator was very knowledgeable and took through great places, explained how the sea eco-system works.”

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Emerald Cave Express Kayak Tour with Scenic & Historic Stops - Black Canyon views and 1920s river history
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Emerald Cave Express Kayak Tour with Scenic & Historic Stops

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

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

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.”

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Kauai: Secret Falls Kayak and Hike - Uluwehi Falls: beautiful, wet, and busier than the name suggests
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Kauai: Secret Falls Kayak and Hike

12.Secret Falls Kayak and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

Paddle about 4 miles on Kauai’s Wailua River, then hike roughly 1.5 to 2 miles through muddy rainforest trails to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Cory, K-man, Kai, Lono, and Mana share local stories and help with river crossings. Kayaks, paddles, backrests, and life jackets are provided.

“I enjoyed kayaking and hiking to the falls. Our guide, Kahyman (not sure on the spelling), was very fun--charming and charismatic. I took one star off just because it was quite touristy with hordes of people at the "secret" falls. Also, you never know who will be in your group; ours had at least a few who were unathletic, slowing us down. I'd do it again, but I would book my own kayak so I can go at my own pace. Also, bring a bathing suit if you want to swim in the pool underneath the falls! There was no mention of that in the pre-tour communication, so we didn't…”

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Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide - Uluwehi Falls rewards the effort
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Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide

13.Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,387 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $140

Join Duke’s Kayak Adventures for a five-hour paddle and hike to Uluwehi Falls, better known as Secret Falls. You’ll kayak about four miles round trip, then walk roughly two miles over muddy, slippery ground and stream crossings. Guides such as Zach, Brian, and Makayla add local stories, safety tips, and plenty of encouragement.

“Zach aka the bird whisper was a wonderful guide. This was a great activity!!! We love kayaking and hiking and this did both! The views were stunning and the waterfall at the end of the hike, Just wow!!! Highly recommend!! 4 total miles of kayaking, about 1.5 miles of hiking.”

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Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands - Starting at Kailua Beach Adventures
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Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands

14.Kailua Bay, Oahu: Epic Kayak and Snorkel to Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,311 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $114

Paddle from Kailua Beach to Popoia Island or the Mokulua Islands on a guided or self-guided eco-tour. You’ll receive a kayak, snorkel gear, dry bag, locker, lunch, and safety briefing. Guides such as Mike, Evelyn, Alex, and Tupre have helped make the outing personal and informative, but wind can change the route.

“Sept 4, 2025 about 9 am - 2:30 pm. My husband and I (late 50s/mid 60s) thoroughly enjoyed our day kayaking to the Mokulua Islands with our guide Tupre. We did not have any trouble transporting the kayak to the ocean. There was no yucky water to cross. We found it a fairly easy few block walk. The hardest part was carrying the kayak back up a little hill when bringing it back from the beach. Tupre was a fantastic guide! With his help we saw turtles, a monk seal, wedged-tailed shearwater birds nesting on the island (so many cute babies), crabs, urchins, many beautiful fish while snorkeling. Definitely an…”

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Raccoon Island: Exploration on SUP/Kayak - Finding the blue building at Bill Bird Marina
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Raccoon Island: Exploration on SUP/Kayak

15.Exploration on SUP/Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,289 reviews · 2h 30m · from $99

Kayak or stand-up paddleboard through Biscayne Bay and mangrove habitats with a SoFlo Water Adventures guide, then ride to Sandspur Island, known as Raccoon Island. You can swim, take photos, meet gentle raccoons, and enjoy fruit, water, soda, or Gatorade. Guides such as Francis, Sean, Ashley, Tony, and Alejandra are often praised for keeping beginners comfortable.

“I loved it. My guides, Alejandra and Tony, were excellent. I had so much fun seeing the raccoons and exploring the island. Thank you.”

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