Best of · CANOES & KAYAKS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 kayak trips worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Join guides such as Mr Bean or Harry for a seven-hour Halong Bay cruise from Tuan Chau Marina. You’ll visit Sung Sot Cave, kayak or ride a bamboo boat through Luon Cave, stop at Titov Island, enjoy lunch, and use the outdoor Jacuzzi.
“Very good trip in halong bay with mr bean. His very knowledge and helpful. We has a lot of dink and very happy all the day.”
Join Alisa Cruise for a two-day, one-night Ha Long Bay trip with private cabins, meals, cave visits, kayaking or a pearl farm, tai chi, and sunset drinks. Staff members including Phong, Ian, Ivy, and James Bond are noted for attentive service and help with special diets.
“The experience was great! Everyone was very friendly, happy and helpful. I really like the staff! Mr. Phong was a great kelner! If you cannot eat something, don’t worry! I can’t eat gluten and staff did me many dishes gluten free.”
Spend 12 to 14 hours traveling from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Halong Bay by air-conditioned bus and deluxe boat. Cruise among limestone islands, eat Vietnamese dishes onboard, visit Sung Sot Cave, hike 420 steps on Titop Island, and choose kayaking or a bamboo boat ride. Guides such as Sam and Hercules are noted for friendly, well-organized service.
“Amazing guide, really good quality cruise, great food, everything bang on. Great value for money, super clean and lovely staff.”
Spend one night aboard a small-group Ha Long Bay cruise with an English-speaking guide, private balcony cabin, meals, caves, kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, cooking, and squid fishing. Guides such as Sunny, Tom, Alex, and Cong have led past departures. Hanoi transfers cost extra.
“Not for people younger than 45. Quality of attention drops if solo traveling. And not a 2 day tour, you go on the boat at 12:00 pm day One and are out of your cabin at 9:15 AM day 2. While the whole time you are being herded by the (yes very friendly) staff.”
Spend about 10 hours exploring Arrábida Natural Park by kayak and on foot. João or Pedro leads a small group through sea caves, snorkeling spots, cliff jumps, and coastal paths, with wetsuit, equipment, lunch, snacks, and homemade port wine included.
“This was an unforgettable and amazing experience. João was the perfect guide, he had everything planned out well and he shared so many great stories with the group. We also loved meeting his sweet dogs and cats. The beach and views were amazing, and we got to swim and explore secret caves and spots all along the coast. Definitely recommend for anybody looking for an adventurous day.”
You’ll cruise from Hanoi to Halong Bay with an English-speaking guide such as Tim, Minh, Ming, James, or Trung, depending on the day. Expect a buffet lunch, Surprising Cave, kayaking or a bamboo boat at Luon Cave, swimming and a Ti Top climb, then wine, fruit, music, and sunset views.
“The host Tim was brilliant and the activities around ha long bay were very enjoyable.”
Start at Big Hickory Pass bridge with Mike’s Coastal Expeditions for a 2.5-hour Hobie pedal kayak tour. Mike, Nick, Antonio, Dan, or another guide leads you through Estero Bay or Gulf waters, with wildlife viewing, mangrove routes, local nature stories, shelling, and family photos included.
“Great relaxing experience with Dan and his buddy JJ. It was a pretty hot day but felt quite comfortable in the water. We even got to see a dolphin up close and personal!”
Spend two nights aboard a 5-star Halong Bay cruise with an English-speaking guide, balcony cabin, full meals, caves, kayaking, swimming, Tai Chi, cooking, and a day boat excursion. Routes may cover Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, or Bai Tu Long Bay, with guides such as Kenny, Ha, Chinh, or Gin depending on departure.
“We were disappointed with the room as there were not exactly like the pictures . We had booked the highest priced cruise and unfortunately we were not given the name of the ship before 24 hrs of departure. The first day was so busy and crowded but the second day it was magical . We were a small group and we went to less touristy places . The food was amazing as was the staff . There are no activities after dinner except for the squid fishing which was lame . No tv working so evenings were boring . I think that the fact that the ship caters to 1…”
Paddle a tandem clear kayak from Seven Sisters Campground to Seven Sisters Springs and Baird Creek near Crystal River. Guides such as Shaggy, Hunter, Izzy, James, and Ryan C. lead small groups of up to 10, with swimming, wildlife viewing, and instruction included.
“The first half of the trip was in a skanky canal that wound through a skanky residential neighborhood. The second half was on a river we shared with large loud motorboats including an airboat. We briefly stopped in a couple of side coves but shared one of those with about 15 boats...including the airboat! Never saw the "Jurassic Park" scenery mentioned/pictured in the ad.”
Join Satoom from Khao Lak for a full-day Phang Nga Bay trip with a spacious boat, lunch, dinner, and an assigned paddle guide. Canoe through Koh Hong and Panak Island caves, visit James Bond Rock, watch sunset, then see bioluminescent plankton sparkle in the dark.
“1.5hr trip via bus from Kao Lak to marina then an hour boat trip to 1st island. Trip was amazing, staff were so friendly and helpful. The food onboard was beautiful. Kayaking, and island trips were fantastic. Definitely do it again. Just expect a very long day.”
Meet your guide at Willow Beach Marina for a 4.5-hour paddle through Black Canyon. Guides such as Faith and Jadyn share local history, wildlife, and plant life, while you practice backing into Emerald Cave for its green-water photo stop. Choose a single or tandem kayak and request your life-vest size.
“We had the most incredible time was hands-down, the best part of our Las Vegas trip! Our tour guide, Jayden she was the absolute best and I highly recommend her! She made the tour so fun and we learned so much along the way. We did the extra hour with lunch and I highly recommend that it includes several stops which makes it more fun. We would absolutely recommend this to everybody who comes to this area!”
Spend about 3.5 hours kayaking roughly 2 miles along Makena’s coast, then snorkeling at two prime Turtle Town sites. Guides such as Miah, Tyler, John, Jake, and Steve are praised for patient instruction, sea-life knowledge, and strong safety support. Winter outings may add whale watching.
“This was such a great first kayak experience! The guides were very knowledgeable and I felt very safe being led by them. I definitely recommend taking Dramamine before going. Hoping to do this again when I’m in Maui!”
Travel by speedboat from Krabi to Phang Nga Bay for Panak Island caves, Hong Island canoeing, James Bond Island, and lunch at Koh Panyee. Small groups, guides such as Neen, Bee, and Jess, snacks, drinks, and hotel pickup make this a full but well-supported day.
“Absolutely fantastic day! Our guide and crew were wonderful.”
Spend five hours aboard an air-conditioned power catamaran from Krabi, visiting Khao Khanab Nam, Chicken Island, Ko Poda, and Railay. You’ll snorkel with a fresh mouthpiece, paddle a clear kayak, enjoy fruit and mousse, and choose a sunset package with Pad Thai and salt-baked shrimp.
“Everything was perfect in the yacht but the driver drove very dangerously and we didn’t feel safe in the car. The yacht was wonderful and everything there worked excellent.”
Start at Las Rozas, 4 km before Arriondas, and paddle the Sella through quiet river scenery. Choose a 4, 12, or 19 km route as you go. K2 Aventura provides canoes, safety gear, wetsuits in cooler seasons, showers, parking, and a return transfer.
“Goed geregeld, het materiaal was heel goed, het personeel vriendelijk en behulpzaam.”
Pick a door, a deck or a driver.
