Kayak & canoe · BEGINNER KAYAK LESSONS
A first session should be flat water, a short distance and someone teaching the stroke. The 15 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!”
Start near Hellesylt’s cruise dock, learn basic paddling from a certified English or Norwegian-speaking guide, then follow the fjord shore in a stable kayak. Guides such as Peder, Vibeke, Richard, and Jakub have led friendly outings filled with mountain views, waterfalls, local stories, and wildlife spotting.
“what an exceptional experience ❤️ Book it, you will not regret it.”
Learn to kayak or stand-up paddle with Soflo Water Adventures, then follow guides such as Tony, Celia, Miguel, or Sydney through mangroves to Sandspur Island. Snorkel in shallow water with a safety vest, watch for fish and rays, and enjoy fruit, water, soda, and Gatorade.
“This was amazing..literally an epic trip for the family. Highlight of the time in Miami. With 3 kids 7-12. It’s like 5 things in one and all are awesome. Boat ride to a boat where you grab paddle boards or kayak. Then a paddle in the mangroves. Then a paddle across a bay. Then feeding raccoons. Then snorkeling. Then a paddle back. And another boat ride. All the time with plenty of beverages. You need to do this. Miguel and Sydney were awesome.”
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…”
Spend four hours learning stand-up paddleboarding with a qualified instructor, then snorkel near Gran Canaria’s south or west coast. Groups are limited to four, with hotel pickup in Playa del Inglés, San Agustín, and Meloneras. Dani may be your guide, and past outings have included fish and a turtle.
“Quite a wonderful try for us beginners! We learned it in small groups of two people and enjoyed the sunset time together! They picked us up in the hotel and drove us back to our hotel after these activities.”
Meet your instructor at BonaOna Surf School in Can Pastilla for a private one-hour paddleboarding lesson. You will learn balance and rowing technique, then practice on Palma Bay with equipment, a rash guard, lockers, showers, and Wi-Fi included. Spanish and English instruction is available.
“It was amazing! The teacher was very expert, patient and guided each single one of us and corrected us to improve our technique”
Spend three hours learning kayaking on the Soča River with an English-speaking instructor. After a safety briefing and a 10-minute transfer, you get about two hours on the water, moving from gentle stretches to manageable rapids in a small, ability-matched group.
Paddle along Albufeira’s cliff-lined coast with a certified English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide. Learn SUP basics, enter sea caves, stop at a secluded beach, and use a board, paddle, life jacket, water, and snack. Guide Igor has led careful route decisions in changing sea conditions.
“A great activity to do with the teenagers! Total time was around 3hrs, everyone in the group was very friendly and helped each other carry the paddleboards down to the beach. I was initially worried to begin with as I wear glasses and didn't want to fall and drop them but everything was great. We were taken around and through the caves and photos were taken (€5 extra). Our guide Igor took care of the group and always made sure it was safe to proceed due to waves etc. Very happy and would recommend.”
Meet at the red-kayak boathouse near Geiranger’s cruise port, learn the basics, and paddle the fjord for two hours. Guides such as George and Peder share local stories and may photograph you. You must be able to swim, and expect to get wet.
“Wir hatten eine gute Zeit. Es wäre gut, wenn es auch ein paar einer Kajaks gäbe, damit man sich nicht mit fremden eines teilen muss und so bei der eigenen Familie bleiben kann. Bei uns ging es zum Glück auf. Die Tour war schön, ich hatte allerdings gehofft, man kommt etwas weiter von der Strecke her. Ein schönes Erlebnis, jedoch etwas teuer. Unser Guide war super 👍🏼”
Join Ilaria for a gentle one-hour SUP lesson and coastal outing from Cala Bona or S'Illot. She teaches balance, breathing, board handling, and safe ways to get back on after a fall, then leads you to pretty beaches and sea caves when sea conditions are good.
“Perfect introduction to paddle boarding. Our instructor Ilaria took us from complete beginners to stand up paddle boarding in about 30 minutes. Instructions were clear & thorough, covering how to handle your board, how to find your 'Zen', breathe slowly & balance!! We were also shown how to get on after falling off! Emphasis was on having fun but also covered safety & what to do when in danger. Our tour took about 90 minutes and covered around 4km. I would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to find out what this great sport is all about. Thank you so much Ilaria for being so patient with us! Alastair &…”
You’ll learn SUP basics with an instructor such as Mara or Laura, starting in sheltered water before paddling along Playa Blanca’s coast. The 1.5-hour lesson includes equipment guidance, standing, efficient paddling, turning, and safety advice. Groups are limited to nine, with hotel pickup in Playa Blanca.
“Great fun Mara was so patient and helpful and will go again !”
At Polo Beach, your English-speaking guide teaches you the basics on shore, then leads a private two-hour paddleboard lesson. Children age 3 and up can ride in front with a guide, while you enjoy Haleakala views, island stories, sea-life facts, fresh fruit, water, towels, and optional photo packages.
“It was amazing with a great one on one instructor who was great!!”
Pick the water, the hull or the hour.
