5 Places to Go on Your 2017 Kayaking Adventure

Paddlers are naturally adventurous. You love having fun, seeing beautiful landscapes, and enjoying the outdoors. But often, those three features can dull over time if you never venture from the same, safe waters.

So, why not take a special kayaking adventure next year and try out your skills on some of the world’s most famous and exciting waterways and coastlines?

We’ve put together a selection of our five best places to go kayaking and why you should go there in 2017. From exhilarating whitewater rafting spots, to calm and steady sea kayaking; we’ve included something for everyone.

Norway

Best kayaking spots in Norway?

Norway is a network of waterways. A popular place to begin your kayaking adventure is at Nærøyfjord, which branches off from the mighty Sognefjord — the largest in Norway. Other popular kayaking locations for spectacular scenery and exciting water conditions are the Flekkefjord, Sandefjord, Geirangerfjord, and the Vestfjorden near Oslo.

Why Norway for kayaking?

The Norwegian fjords are famous for being calm and sheltered, which make them an ideal destination for beginners and those looking for slow, relaxed paddling with a stunning backdrop. Glide up the more peaceful and narrow fjords, passing snow-capped mountains and magnificent glaciers. Or, enjoy island-hopping in a sea kayak off the coast of Helgeland. Take a look at Norway the Whitewater Guidebook for more information.

New Zealand

Best kayaking spots in New Zealand

This island nation offers many different paddling conditions. Try Marlborough Sounds for mild waters; Bay of Islands for mangroves and lagoons; Mohaka River for whitewater excitement; and Abel Tasman National Park for sea kayaking and seal colonies! If you want to mix it up, you could always try a few hours of surfing, too.

Why New Zealand for kayaking?

The two islands that make up New Zealand mean you can enjoy one extreme water condition to the other. While the warmer North Island has more ‘swimmable’ beaches and geothermal activity, the cooler South Island offers crowds of diverse marine life and dramatic mountains. So, a kayaking trip here could be like two adventures in one!

Dalmatian Coast

Best kayaking spots on the Dalmatian coast

For us, the best place for kayaking on the Dalmatian coast is along the Elaphiti Islands, found running in a chain off the Croatian coast. Here, you can paddle on calm, clear sea and stop at the most popular spots: Sipan, Lopud and Kolocep.

Why the Dalmatian coast for kayaking?

Firstly, the climate is nearly always fantastic; warm and sunny with great visibility for paddling and lots of grottos and reefs. The peaceful water conditions and easy-going atmosphere also mean you can take your time, enjoy the spectacular coastlines and really hone your paddling skills — great for learners and large groups that need to stick together.

Nepal

Best kayaking spots in Nepal

Nepal offers a twisting network of rivers. The Seti River is generally slow and gentle with plenty of wildlife to see, while the Bhote Koshi is one of the country’s steepest rivers and offers a medium waterflow. The Karnali River is quite remote, but offers exciting big-water rapids for the experienced paddler. Or, if you want a journey of whitewater challenges and peaceful interludes, definitely head to Sun Kosi River — named one of the best river journeys by National Geographic!

Why Nepal for kayaking?

The towering mountains add to the power of the water, which makes for great rapids. Nepal’s rivers are also warm and generally quite long, so you get a nice mix of fast-moving flows and gentle water conditions for an all-round paddling experience.

Flick through this White Water Nepal book for more details about individual Nepalese rivers.

Venice

Best kayaking spots in Venice

You can spend ages paddling around the waterways of Venice — a city built to be experienced from the water. To add to your adventure, you can also paddle along the peaceful Venetian Lagoon to visit the islands of Burano, San Francesco del Deserto and the Venetian salt marshes.

Why Venice for kayaking?

No huge rapids and big drops; what Venice offers is steady, long, tranquil journeys where you can practice your paddling, enjoy the company of your group, and make regular stops to experience Venice’s famous art, culture and cuisine scenes.

We’re sure there’s a destination here to inject some adventure into your kayaking.

If you want a 2017 adventure that’s closer to home, take a browse of our books and DVDs on paddling places in the UK and Republic of Ireland, which include everything from the River Wye to the Outer Hebrides.