Kayaking how to Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Abundant Marine Life’

In Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, you’ll find one of the best kayaking adventures available in the country. Known as Mothership Adventures, this guided kayak tour company goes above and beyond the normal kayak excursion, by providing its clients a comfortable journey out to sea aboard the “mothership”, vessel Columbia III. You’ll experience views of wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, and genuine welcome from the crew and staff. This is sure to be an unforgettable adventure for people of all ages!

Mothership Adventures offers three different kayaking excursions to choose from. The first of these is the Desolation Sound Tour. For this tour, you will depart from the beautiful Campbell River aboard the mothership and set sail for the quiet and tranquil Desolation Sound, known for its abundant marine life with different mammals and sea birds. Once you arrive, you’ll step off the mothership and into your tandem kayak, where you’ll paddle through the tiny passageways. This allows you to explore Desolation Sound without missing a single breathtaking view.

The second tour available through Mothership Adventures is The Broughton Archipelago and Johnstone Strait Kayak Tour. The Broughton Archipelago is a quiet setting for the wildlife, and is often unaccessible to private kayakers. The mothership anchors itself in a tiny corner, allowing kayakers aboard to explore areas that would otherwise never be seen. You’ll set sail from Port McNeill and sail past the beautiful Coast Mountaints. This provides an excellent opportunity for some great photography! Broughton Archipelago is home to many aquatic and terrestial animals. You’ll spot harbor seals, otter, and occassionally a family of bald eagles nesting in the trees along the shoreline. You’ll also see white-sided dolphins frolicking in the gentle waves, and you may even spot a black bear as he fishes for his dinner!

The last tour is the Great Bear Rainforest Kayaking Tour, which is said to be the best sea kayaking available in Canada. This week long excursion allows kayakers to take in the beauty and immaculate wilderness of British Columbia’s wild central coast. This area provides kayakers with a closer glimpse of the abundant wildlife that inihibit the iselts between the Coast Mountaints. Sea and river otters are frequent attractions, as well as black bears and sea lions. Stop for a picnic lunch along the white sandy beaches, and board the mothership for your return home.

All of the Columbia III kayak adventures are usually a week long and are all-inclusive. Gourmet meals, snacks, private rooms, and all kayaking equipment are provided. Prices vary depending on the tour you select, but the typical price range is $1690 – $3528 per person. You do not need any prior experience in kayaking to participate in the tours, and you will receive a complete packing list prior to your arrival so you know exactly what to bring. However, space is extremely limited for each tour, so be sure to reserve your tour as soon as possible.

Australia offers a variety of kayaking options, from mild to wild. Here are some popular Australia kayaking destinations.

Perth
Perth, in Western Australia, offers serious whitewater kayaking. Winter in Australia is July to September. One winter destination is Murray River. The Murray features grade 2-4 rapids and a steep gradient. Rapids include Tricky Dick, Columbines, Fast Eddies, Gobbly Girl and Terminations Rapid.

Broome
Sheltered bays and abundant marine life greet kayakers along this clean coastline. Birds, fish, dolphins and manta rays are some of the marine life present. Turtle Bay Lookout is a leisurely kayak trip exploring reefs, rock formations and watching birds and marine life.

Sea kayaking south of Broome to the Eco Beach and Cape Villarette area is a leisurely paddle. Ocean kayaks are recommended.

Sydney
Kayakers can see one of Australia’s largest tourist attractions, the Sydney Harbour, from sea level. Sydney Harbour is home to the Opera House, the Admiralty House (General Governor’s Residence), Kerribilli House (Prime Minister’s Residence), some of Sydney’s most expensive water front real estate and more.

Kayaking tours of the area are available. Some tour guides have changed their policies and no longer accept inexperienced kayakers. They state that the Harbour has much more motorized boat traffic and that it’s best if only experienced sea kayakers paddle through the more crowded areas.

Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary
The Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary is part of the Port River Estuary. Kayaking is an excellent way to meet up with the Port River dolphins and to tour the Ships Graveyard Maritime Heritage trail.

Great Barrier Reef
Enjoy sea kayaking the world’s largest reef system. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is 1400 miles long and home to 1800 known species of fish and 450 species of coral. 3000 individual reefs and 900 islands make up Great Barrier Reef. The biggest problem in kayaking the area is in deciding where to paddle first.
Green Island is a 6,000 year old coral cay and National Park on the Great Barrier Reef. Sandy beaches, clear water and a tropical rain forest make it a popular kayaking destination with some tours.

Tully River in the World Heritage Rainforest
Reef and rain forest tours are available from various tour operators. The Tully River, a Class IV, in the World Heritage Rain Forest is Australia’s most famous whitewater kayaking destination.

The Tully is located 87 miles south of Cairns. The river flows through the World Heritage Rain Forest. It’s a steep, technical grade 4 river. A five hour kayaking trip covers 45 rapids, including the Alarm Clock, the Wet & Moisty, Staircase and Theatre.

Prince’s Bridge to Westgate Bridge
The Yarra River used to be the lifeblood of Melbourne. Kayakers can see the old docks, boats and bridges from water level. Paddle alongside tankers and cargo boats for a new perspective on size. The area now contains a casino, restaurants, shops and cycling track. Kayakers can pull up at Southbank or the Docklands and grab some refreshment.
From the magnificent Sydney Harbor to the wild Tully River, Australia offers something for both experienced and beginning kayakers.

Take a look around the city of San Diego, and you’re likely to see everyone getting around on bike or by trolley. While it’s true that San Diego is full of sites and attractions, very few people realize that it’s also an ideal location to experience some great kayaking. In fact, some of the best scenery of San Diego is only seen from the water, and kayaking is an excellent way to take in all of the sights and sounds of this “big little city”.

Start your kayaking adventure in San Diego by taking a tour of the La Jolla Sea Caves. While it sounds like it may be an intimidating experience, it’s actually a very pleasant and fun outdoor adventure! Beginning at the La Jolla Shores, you can paddle your way through an outdoor paradise while you view areas of San Diego’s coast. Before reaching the historical sea caves, you’ll have a chance to get up close and personal with sea lions, stingrays, and other aquatic life that reside within these canals. In fact, it’s even said that harbor seals sit perched among the rocks of the water and “wave” at their visitors who pass by!

However, kayaking in San Diego is just as fun in the fall and winter as it is in the summer. Winter is known to be a season of hibernation and mating, and that’s exactly what you’ll find as you explore Baja’s Pacific Coast! During the colder seasons, gray whales leave their homeland of the Arctic Ocean and make their way to the inviting warmth of Baja. In the months of December and January, the whales mate and give birth. Take advantage of a guided tour from La Jolla Shores during this time, and experience the thrill of viewing these amazing animals in person.

If you plan to visit San Diego with small children, there are opportunities for them to experience the fun of kayaking as well. In areas of Monterey and Elkhorn Slough, there are very calm and tranquil waters that are perfect for children and families. Monterey
Bay offers fascinating history and abundant marine life, while Elkhorn Slough is an excellent kayaking route for the nature and wildlife lover. (Often, you can spot several breeds of exotic birds.) The children will love the feeling of paddling through the water on a boat, and adults will enjoy the quiet ride while taking in some sightseeing.

If you’ve ever dreamed of catching the biggest fish among your friends and family, then look into opportunities for kayak fishing around Monterey Bay. While this area is known for its calm and peaceful surroundings, it is also home to some of California’s best fishing. There are several classes offered in the area and guided tours and trips directed towards kayak fishing.

With so many amazing opportunities for kayaking in San Diego, you are sure to find the water adventure that’s right for you and your family!