Looking for the most beautiful kayaking spots in the world? Paddle away with these Culture Trips that feature kayak experiences you’ll never forget.
Cross colourful crater lakes in the Azores
This unique volcanic archipelago, far off the coast of Portugal, is like one big adventure playground for lovers of the great outdoors. There’ll be time for canyoning, swimming, hiking and cycling, but arguably the highlight of this trip comes at Sete Cidades crater lakes. These twin lakes were both formed by a volcano, one is affectionately known as Green Lake, the other as Blue Lake – no prizes for guessing why. The surrounding area is covered in flourishing vegetation, which we’ll explore by 4×4, before cycling around the lakes themselves. The best bit, without doubt, is actually getting out onto the vibrantly coloured waters, which you’ll have the chance to do as we spend an afternoon paddling about in the Azores.
Paddle past sea lions and sharks in the Galapagos
The Galapagos, made a household name by Charles Darwin and giant tortoises, are a remarkably biodiverse set of islands off the coast of Ecuador. A visit here promises countless encounters with the world’s most exotic creatures, as well as a range of adventurous activities on land and sea. On this trip we’ll hike, go on a boat tour, swim, snorkel and paddleboard our way around the islands, spotting iguanas, penguins, tortoises and rare birds along the way. On our very first day in the Galapagos we’ll head out onto the Itabaca Channel, which separates the islands of Baltra and Santa Cruz, on kayaks. As you paddle along the coastline keep an eye out for unique creatures back on the land, on the ocean surface and below the water – you might even see some white-tipped reef sharks, but don’t worry, these ones are harmless to humans.
