Kauai is sometimes referred to as “the emerald island,” and for very good reason. Not only is it one of the most beautiful Hawaiian islands, Kauai has some of the most stunning and active rainforests known to Hawaii. The waterfall terrain along the Na Pali coast provides excellent photography opportunities for those kayaking the Big Island. These waterfalls gently flow into the ocean and set the ultimate conditions for kayaking. Keep your eyes peeled for sights of Hawaiian wildlife along the coast, such as sea lions and other manatee. You may even want to consider snorkeling in this area of the Big Island, as you will find beautiful tropical fish swimming beneath the surface.

The island of Oahu is the most populated of the Big Island and serves as an ideal location for calm kayaking. Along the west coast of Oahu, you will find dolphin activity on a daily basis. Here, you will be given the chance to dock your kayak and swim with these amazing aquatic creatures. Also in this area is the infamous Pearl Harbor. Feel free to take pictures and video tape this historic battle site as you kayak around the Big Island. Oahu is also known on the Big Island as a great spot to scuba dive, so be sure to take advantage of all the opportunities Oahu has to offer.

Although the island of Maui is only forty-eight miles long, it is one of the most famous places of the Big Island. It’s often referred to “Valley Isle” because of the massive valley between its two volcanoes. The shoreline of Maui provides some great kayaking and is most popular for whale-watching. Kayaking in this area of the Big Island is sure to bring you up close and personal with the humpback whales that inhibit the Hawaiian Island. It is recommended to kayak in the early morning hours to see the whales, and it should be noted that the waters surrounding Maui are typically rough and not as easily navigable. Therefore, you should go on a guided tour to kayak this area of the Big Island to help ensure your safety.

The Big Island is full of kayak opportunities as well as scuba diving, snorkeling, cliff jumping, and many other thrilling water activities. If you ever plan to visit Hawaii, kayaking is your best bet to seeing all of the beauty and wonders of the Big Island.

Nearly every major city in South Carolina has all the necessities to make your kayaking experience the ultimate adventure. And because kayaking is an easy and calm activity, it’s the perfect outdoor excursion for people of all ages and ability levels. You can find professional guided tours through Calm Water Kayak Tours of South Carolina. Although you may have experienced the busy waters of South Carolina’s beaches, the guides of Calm Water have made it their top priority to show you the quiet and sparkling waters of South Carolina’s lakes and streams. Calm Waters provides tours around Lake Jocassee, Saluda River, Lake Russell, Lake Greenwood, Lake Hartwell, and Lake Keowee.

While Beaufort, South Carolina is known as a busy city and is home to several United States Marines, it is also home to Beaufort Kayak Tours. You can choose from three different exploration routes, including Historic Beaufort, Salt Marsh Exploration, and Hunting Island. If you choose the Salt Marsh Exploration, keep your eyes peeled for the sight of a bottle-nose dolphin, as they are known to inhabit this area of South Carolina. You can also learn how to throw your own cast net to catch some of the saltwater crabs. The Historic Beaufort tour provides a detailed, narrated excursion of the interesting history that surrounds Beaufort - and you’ll never even have to walk the streets to take it all in! Hunting Island explores the tranquil sights of the lagoon surrounding the nearby beach, and is known for the entertainment of jumping mullets.

Check out Cool Breeze Kayaking in Hilton Head for a relaxing view of nature along with your trip to the beach. Here you can experience the two-hour Dolphin Nature Tour which provides a first-hand look at these amazing marine creatures. You can also catch a glimpse of otter and osprey! Please be sure to make advance reservations for this kayaking tour, as space is extremely limited.

Most kayaking tours in South Carolina are available for around $40 per adult, $30 per child. Packages vary and can be accustomed to suit your needs and budget. In fact, some South Carolina kayaking tours even offer overnight excursions for those who want to incorporate the great outdoors as part of their vacation. Be sure to ask what is included with your kayaking package, as some packages will offer a picnic lunch, t-shirt, or other souvenir. Although life jackets are typically provided, be sure to bring one in case a member of your party is a child or can’t swim.

With so many options available for a great kayaking adventure in South Carolina, you can’t go wrong by trying this out-of-the-ordinary outdoor experience!

In central Florida, check out A Day Away Outfitters and Kayak Tours. Centered on Merritt Island, A Day Away offers tours aimed specifically at viewing dolphins, manatee, and alligator. You’ll also have a chance to catch a glimpse of wild turkeys and pigs lurking in the woods surrounding the islands. Each tour is guided by a professional kayaking instructor and is available seven days a week.

If you’re visiting or live around south Florida, Atlantic Coast Kayak Company provides informative kayaking classes and guided tours. Take a tour around the infamous Florida Keys, where you’ll be able to take a pit stop and swim with the dolphins if conditions are favorable. For a truly unique kayaking experience, consider taking a tour to Whiskey Creek. Located between the beach and the waterway within John Lloyd State Park, Whiskey Creek is popular for spotting beautiful aquatic birds, a variety of saltwater fish, and even stingrays! Not only will you catch views of wildlife only seen on the discovery channel, but you’ll also have the chance to see the large and historic ships of Port Everglades.

If you reside in Florida or plan to visit several times a year, consider becoming a member of the Florida Sea Kayaking Association (FSKA). You can receive significantly discounted kayaking trips all around Florida, and privileges to some of Florida’s most serene and prestigious kayaking locations. Joining this or a similar kayaking association could save you lots of money if kayaking is one of your frequent hobbies.

Finally, if you plan to be in the Orlando area and have some time for a longer aquatic outdoor excursion, then sign up with Florida Sun Safari National Park Adventure. This eight day journey will lead you through many destinations beginning in Orlando. You’ll enjoy a hike through the Everglades National Park, where you’ll have the opportunity to view unique aquatic birds and some of Florida’s most hidden wildlife. In Key West, you’ll be given the opportunity to not only kayak through some of the tranquil waters, but also scuba dive! Experience a picnic lunch and a chance to touch manatees at Canaveral National Seashore on the final day. This unforgettable opportunity costs around $825 per person and covers food and transportation.

Next time you’re in Florida, you’ll find so many great opportunities for kayaking and other outdoor adventures. Laying out on the beach may soon become your old pastime!

Guide to Sea Kayaking Central & Northern California

Authors Roger Schumann and Jan Shriner included over 40 sea kayaking trips with over 100 alternative routes. Created for beginners as well as expert sea kayakers, the book includes mile by mile descriptions of routes, prominent landmarks, maps, and interesting sights.

Sea Kayaking Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay: Day Trips on the Tidal Tributaries and Coastlines of the Western and Eastern Shore

Written by Michael Savario and Andrea Nolan, this is billed as the first and only kayaking guide to the Chesapeake Bay region. The book covers over 30 trips.

The Chesapeake watershed covers over 64,000 square miles and drains part of six states in addition to Washington, D.C. The tidal shoreline is 4,600 miles long. There are over 400 rivers and creeks.
This guide covers trips in the Bay, in tributaries and along both East and West shores. Information includes put-ins, put-outs, winds, currents, equipment, safety, and paddling. Sidebars note salt marsh ecology, wildlife and social and maritime history.

Low-impact paddling techniques are discussed along with hypo/hyperthermia, and more.

Sea Kayaking Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast: Coastal Paddling Adventures From New York to Chesapeake Bay

Veteran coast paddler Tamsin Venn chose 30 kayaking trips along the mid-Atlantic shoreline to include in this guide book. Detailed route descriptions are provided, along with local history, wildlife, ecology, maps and NOAA chart references, access, parking, launching and landing, trip mileage, harbor information, tidal ranges, currents, weather, equipment and more.

Scottish Canoe Classics

Eddy Palmer chose his favorite 25 inland touring routes and included them here. Numerous photos and specially commissioned maps provide detail. Routes are suitable for open canoe and touring kayaks. There’s plenty of variety. The journeys take place on inland lochs, sheltered sea lochs and rivers of up to Grade 2.
Sea Kayaking (Outside Adventure Travels)

Veteran kayaker Jonathan Hanson details 25 coastlines spanning seven seas from Northwest Territories to Baja, from the Great Barrier Reef to the Everglades, from the Greek Isles to Tierra del Fuego, from the Red Sea to Fiji. Readers will find out how to see the powerful Orcas (killer whales) off the coast of British Columbia, dolphins racing in the Sea of Cortez off Baja, beluga whales cruising the Arctic and gray seals and puffins on the cliffs of Scotland’s Hebrides.
Wild Coast (The)

Volume 1: A Kayaking, Hiking and Recreational Guide for North and West Vancouver Island
John Kimantas covers the geography, ecology, history and attractions of North and West Vancouver Island with dozens of color photos and maps. Eleven chapters are included. Each describes a distinct island area with amenities, attractions, ecology, history, place names, landing sites, campsites and general trivia. This guidebook allows the reader to plan and get the most from exploring this spectacular coast.

From the United States to the Great Barrier Reef to Vancouver Island, these guide books offer sea kayaking trips for beginners and experts alike.

Kauai is the only Hawaiian island with a river suitable river for kayaking. Wailua River on the eastern side of the island is a favored destination. The right side of the river is reserved for kayaking.

Wailua River Valley was once reserved for royalty. It is still considered sacred and special by many. The river is typically gentle with little current.

Lush tropical foliage, beautiful exotic blooming flowers, ancient ruins, sacred waterfalls, old Hawaiian villages, pristine canyons and tropical rain forests are just a portion of the scenic beauty kayakers can experience.
Several tour companies operate in the region. Single, double, and triple kayaks are available for rent. The Secret Falls and Fern Grotto are popular Hawaii kayaking destinations.

There are times when access to one or more areas (such as the grotto) is restricted but there’s so much more to see that kayakers aren’t left with time on their hands.

Maui kayaking tours include beginner tours, Makena tours and Honolua Bay tours. Kayak surfing tours are available and at least one tour company welcomes physically challenged kayakers.

Kayaking Makena Landing gives paddlers the opportunity to see turtles, eels, octopus, reef sharks, tropical fish and
occasionally whales or dolphins.

The secluded and beautiful Pali Sea Cliff area features rugged shoreline, sharp sea cliffs and stunning coral reefs. Hawaiian green sea turtles are a highlight of kayaking Makena Bay.

Honolua Bay is a marine reserve. The coral reef teems with fish. Kayaking here does require paddling into moderately strong trade winds.

Kayaking Hawaii’s Molokini Crater allows kayakers to access areas powerboats can get to. Some of the island’s most spectacular sea life is said to be found here.

Molokai is best reserved for experienced kayakers. Ocean swells and rough waves make paddling too difficult and dangerous for beginners. The island’s undeveloped north shore may be paddled from east to west but kayakers rarely paddle the return route. Ten mile-per-hour winds make the trip a rough one.

Kayaking Hawaii’s Kona coast gives paddlers the opportunity to explore Kealakekua Bay, Keahou, Ho’okena, Honaunau and Kailua.

Kealakekua Bay is the most protected deep water bay and is designated a Marine Life Conservation District. The Bay was the home of many Hawaiian Chiefs and is where Captain Cook landed. A Captain Cook monument stands there today.
Across the bay, kayakers will find pristine reefs where over 250 species of fish have been identified. Glass kayaks can be rented in Kona, making kayaking Hawaii a truly amazing and different experience.

Keahuou Bay, birthplace of Kamehameha the great, boasts calm waters. Kayakers paddling along the south cliffs will pass sea caves. One of the sea caves can often be entered by kayak, making for a unique Hawaiian kayaking experience.

Kayaking Hawaii can be a tranquil experience or an adrenalin rush. From tropical waterfalls to rushing rapids, from sea caves to historical ruins, paddlers can choose the perfect kayak trip.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge in Florida is a popular destination for many organized kayak tours. A Day Away Outfitters offer several tours based in the refuge.

Manatee Encounter: kayaking with this beloved Florida resident and endangered species can be a fun and enlightening experience. The tour lasts two hours and manatee sightings are guaranteed from April to October. Difficulty rating is easy.

Birding Tour: This 90 minute kayaking tour gives paddlers the chance to see some of Florida’s migratory and native birds. Spoonbills, herons, egrets and more call the refuge home. Difficulty rating is easy.

Black Night/Cold Light Bioluminescent Night Tour: This isn’t a refuge tour but it is highly recommended. In the summer, the waters of the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon light up thanks to bioluminescence. Every movement produces light. Manatees glow, sting rays look like something out of something out of science fiction movies and fast moving little fish look like glow-in-the-dark rockets. The tour lasts 2 1/2 hours. Bioluminescence is guaranteed June through September. Difficulty rating is easy. Kayakers can truly see Florida in a whole new light.

Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail

This popular sea kayaking destination in Florida is one of the longest and wildest publicly owned wetlands in the United States. The 105 mile trail features a big variety of marine and bird life. White pelicans, egrets, bald eagles and ospreys inhabit the area. In the water, kayakers are likely to see crabs, fish, sea turtles, manatee, cannonball jelly fish, small sharks and rays.

Six designated campsites are spread out over the trail. Camping permits are required and guide books are available. The trail is open from September 1 to June 30th.

Blue Cypress Lake

Club kayak details several available Florida kayak routes and tours. Blue Cypress Lake is one of them. Freshwater kayaking at Florida’s Blue Cypress Lake requires moderate kayaking skills. Round trip from Middleton’s Fish Camp to Moonshine Bay is 7 miles.

The lake contains largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and blue gill in addition to other fish species. Cypress trees, often filled with osprey, surround the launch area. Available side trips include exploring the cypress swamp, complete with subtropical ferns, mosquitoes and alligators.

Weeki Wachee River

Also detailed by Club kayak is Weeki Wachee, a Florida spring discharging over 64 million gallons of water daily. Kayaking this Florida waterway, paddlers are likely to see manatee, alligators, raccoons, otters and a variety of birds. Often-sighted birds include ducks, ibis, pelicans, herons, osprey, wood storks and cormorants. Eight miles along, the Weeki Wachee meets the Gulf of Mexico.

Difficulty rating is beginner to advanced and distance ranges from 4 to 16 miles.
Kayaking options in Florida range from freshwater to saltwater and from calm water to rushing water. Kayaking tours are an excellent way to try out new waterways. State parks and kayaking trails are another option.

Adventure Alaska Canada travel presents plenty of fun and exciting opportunities for adventures. Bicyclists can view hundreds of miles of pristine, untouched lands. Canoes and kayaks can be used in the many rivers found throughout Canada and Alaska, and even camping can be new and exciting miles away from the nearest town. In adventure Alaska Canada travel, the adventures are as fun and varied as the people participating.

Accommodations

A myriad of accommodations exist for every traveler. For little to no money, hundreds of campgrounds dot the landscape for a truly outdoor adventure. For those that have a recreational vehicle and would rather not sleep on the ground, many RV parks are also available. Still, adventure Alaska Canada travel hosts a wide range of traditional lodging, such as bed and breakfast inns, hotels, and wilderness lodges, both running about $100 a night. Yet for a truly intimate adventure, many travelers find themselves renting a cabin all to themselves for a romantic weekend or longer. Even far away from civilization, these cabins generally have the amenities of a hotel, from plumbing and appliances to in some cases wireless Internet and satellite television. Even if the entire family’s along, these cabins are great for keeping everyone entertained.

Adventure Alaska Canada travel is perfect for the desk job worker who just wants a break from a normal day’s work. Still, these adventure vacations are also perfect for honeymoons, intimate affairs far from the hustle and bustle of urban centers, quieter than cruises or beaches, and far more exciting than the average vacation! When planning for a vacation, adventure Alaska Canada travel should be choice number one.

Sheer Size Will Instill A Sense Of Awe In You

Adventure Alaska package travel brings you to a part of America where the wilderness is pristine, wildlife is found aplenty and there is adventure of all kinds coupled with a history that will fascinate you. The cultural is full of multiple inputs and this is best seen in the diverse lifestyles. The mountains are spectacular and the glaciers as well as rivers will overwhelm you as nowhere else. Most of all, the sheer size of Alaska is enough to instill a sense of awe that is what makes taking adventure Alaska package travel tours so very exciting.

Alaska is as big as France, Spain, Italy and England put together and comprises one fifth of the United States, and in this state runs the third longest river in North America, and the peaks rise higher than most others and there are also over four thousand glaciers.

When you opt for an adventure Alaska package travel tour you will get to see the king crabs that are over two and half feet wide and there are even the Brown Bears standing well over twelve feet in height for you to ogle at. If that does not impress you, then how about the sixty pound cabbages grown in the state and the twenty-five pound turnips and the twenty hour daylight hours that are unique to Alaska.

Thus, with so much to offer it should not surprise you that there is great variety as far as different adventure Alaska package travel is concerned and you can choose to take a bear viewing safari, Alaska adventure cruise, go to Redoubt Bay Lodge, and even try out the Alaska & Yukon adventure, to name a few options open to you. With so much to choose from, you will certainly require taking more than one adventure Alaska package travel vacation and will need to come back for more over and over again to get your fill of adventure travel in the wonderful state of Alaska.

Let Budget Be Your Guide

While you can plan your dream vacation, it is your budget that will dictate the reality of your vacation situation. Unfortunately, money is at the root of all planning practical matters so you have to take that into consideration and decide if you can afford that adventure cruise, Europe luxury travel or any other place that is on your “dream” list.

Luckily, there are a plethora of options that await you whether you can only afford a domestic adventure cruise or an overseas European excursion. Keep in mind any travel to and from your destination, food expenses, souvenirs and unexpected costs such as a trip to the local doctor. Once your budget is set, it’s time for comparing price tags for the vacations on your list.

Vacation Options Galore!

The word adventure has never been open to so much interpretation! One person’s definition of adventure might be your definition of casual. There are all sorts of cruising adventures from kayaking along the Alaskan coast to riding the rapids to cruising down the Amazon River. Luxury also has some different connotations such as being waited on hand and foot, the best four star restaurants or even fancy accommodations. An adventure cruise, Europe luxury travel or any other type of travel is definitely a matter of perspective.

If you go with the adventure cruise vs. Europe luxury travel, you should be aware of the different cruise options there are available. For instance, you could choose an Egyptian cruise down the Nile with side trips to various pyramids or an eco-tour down the Amazon River with rain forest excursions might be more along the lines of what you are looking for. Adventure cruises vary wildly so deciding the type of adventure you have is part of the vacation planning process.

Europe luxury travel vs. adventure cruises on the other hand is a little clearer. Almost any European destination will have luxury options from the five star hotels to the mode of transportation. The hard part of planning any luxury travel to Europe is deciding your destinations.

Get Some Help

Planning your destinations for an adventure cruise, Europe luxury travel and beyond is the easy part. The hard part is executing that plan. For the more complicated scenarios, you might want to consider enlisting the help of a travel agent. If you are a travel club member, take advantage of their services or look to your local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau for reliable travel agents in your area.

What Kind Of Sport?

Although trying to get a parking spot in a Major League ballpark can qualify as hair-raising adventure sports travel, you probably have a different definition in mind. In the tourist industry, adventure sports travel means going to wild and wooly places where you can indulge in paragliding, bungee jumping, white water rafting, kiteboading, snowboarding, surfing, dog sledding, hot air ballooning, go karting, mountaineering, hang gliding or horseback riding the wilderness (trial riding). If you have a craving for adventure sports travel, then there is a trip package for you somewhere.

How Safe Is This?

It is not recommended that you just pack up and go on an adventure sports travel vacation all by yourself, especially if you are a beginner. Because of the demand for adventure sports travel, there are many professional guides and centers that can not only teach you your chosen adventure sport, but keep an eye on you and call 911 if necessary, too.

For Example

Suppose you want to go elephant riding. This requires a trip to South Africa where you are part of a group with guides and trained elephants who are used to tourists. So, you just don’t show up in the jungle, rope you a wild elephant and go thundering off into the sunset. It just won’t happen. Not in the way you would want to, anyway.

So, suppose you have settled on elephant riding. You can go to any travel website or ask your travel agent to check out elephant riding tours in the safaris of Africa. Usually, elephant riding is part of a package of adventure sports travel in the safari available. There so far has not been a demand to have a business just do elephant rides.

Next, you need to find out what kind of shots and paperwork you need to be allowed into South Africa. Then you need to see if you can afford the trip. You can save money by not traveling during the summer or Christmastime and not fly on a weekend. And generally, the earlier you book a trip, the cheaper it will be.