Kayak & canoe · BEGINNER KAYAK LESSONS
A first session should be flat water, a short distance and someone teaching the stroke. The 5 below are priced and timed for people who have never held a paddle, with the minimum ages where the operator sets one.
Launch from Newquay Activity Centre with a qualified instructor such as James, learn basic sea kayaking skills, then paddle along Cornwall’s coast past caves, coves, cliffs, and possible seal sightings. Groups are capped at eight, with wetsuits, helmets, buoyancy aids, and paddles provided.
“James was brilliant, such a friendly chap, knowledgeable about the area and generally a nice guy”
Learn stand-up paddleboarding with a guide before gliding through Spanish Waters’ mangroves and along the shoreline. This two-hour Curaçao tour includes equipment, water, a snack, photos, and pickup from selected areas. Calm sections suit beginners, though wind and open water require basic fitness and swimming ability.
“it was good guided trip and trip organizers were friendly and helped throughout the journey but only thing was it was more intermediate level than beginners”
Launch near Olden’s cruise dock for a two-hour paddle on calm Nordfjord waters. Stable kayaks, clear instruction, and guides such as Richard, Peder, Peter, and Nikca make this a relaxed first kayaking experience, with mountain views, local stories, and time for photos.
“The fjord was super calm and the view were just spectacular! Peter was a great guide”
You’ll learn stand-up paddleboarding with a private ocean guide at Makena Landing, a calm cove known as Turtle Town. Guides such as Peg, Pam, John, and Lowe provide patient instruction, snorkel gear when available, and photos for purchase. The two-hour outing suits first-timers, families, and small groups.
“Husband, son and daughter-14 and 11 took the lesson. My son knows swimming, my daughter knows a bit. Husband does not know how to swim. Pam is super nice and patient and an excellent coach. All three learned to paddle in this class, kids can even stand and paddle! They also paddled to snorkling area, kids did snorkling, pam even taught my daughter how to swim. Pam also spend extra hours with kids in ocea. Kids had so much fun! Another thing is kids forgot googles. Pam texted us and dropped google to our hotel! Super nice! Really great experience!”
At Makena Landing Park, your private guide teaches you to stand-up paddleboard, then leads you over Wailea’s Turtle Town reefs to snorkel with Hawaiian green sea turtles. Peg, Heidi, Chris, Tristen, John, and Emily have guided this outing, which welcomes beginners and children age three and up.
“This is a unique review since we did not get to experience the excursion due to Mother Nature not cooperating with us.- which we fully respect and honor. Everyone should be mindful that things like this will happen and it may be disappointing, however, when the organizer is really great about checking in and communicating it makes the experience less disappointing! Peg was so o. Top of her communication and flexibility offering g various options with alternated dates etc. She was also so gracious about texting a wonderful list of her local favorites and things to do in Maui. We actually hit three of her recommendations. Best tips were how…”
Pick the water, the hull or the hour.
