8 Family Kayak Tours to Build a Morning Around

1.Self Guided Family Friendly Kayak Rental Experience Old Florida

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 170 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $48Our pick

Near Yulee, outside Jacksonville, you’ll receive kayak gear and a short orientation before paddling a shaded black-water creek on a self-guided, roundtrip route. Look for cypress trees, birds, and aquatic plants. Madison, Aaron, Matthew, and Eric are among the friendly staff praised for helping first-time paddlers feel comfortable.

“First time ever kayaking and had a blast. Madison and Aaron were fantastic guides and made it a fun experience. Would definitely do it again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Family, Private & Group Standup Paddle Lessons in Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 143 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $118

Meet the Ohana Surf Project near the Waikiki Beach Marriott for a two-hour lesson led by instructors such as Mark, Kai, Kevin, or Romeo. You’ll receive gear, safety instruction, hotel-area transportation, and focused coaching in the water. Photos and videos cost extra.

“Excellent communication prior to the pick up. We knew exactly what to expect and where we would be picked up. The driver was courteous and took us to their surf shop. From there they showed us a video to help us visualize the process. The instructors were all kind, encouraging and fun. We all got up after 1 try, some of us got up on the first try! Don't hesitate to use these guys, they are professionals. I saw 8 year olds get up, 20 year olds, 50 year olds and even one 65 year old all get up.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Family Canoe/Kayak Trip on the Ardèche: 3 hours – about 12 km

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 82 reviews · 3 hours · from $42

Join Alain Bateaux for a flexible 12 km Ardèche canoe or kayak trip from Mazes plain. Amélie, Frédéric, and Loïc provide safety and paddling advice before you set off for three slides, calm water, picnic stops, and the famous Pont d'Arc. You must be over 7 and able to swim.

“Un vrai bonheur ! On a été très bien accueilli par Amélie, Frédéric et Loïc ! Une équipe au top qui a a coeur de partager leur passion et vous donne toutes les consignes pour faire votre descente en toute sécurité et comprendre comment ramer (et oui ça s'apprend ^^) La descente était top et les paysages sont splendides : 3 toboggans, 3 rapides en mode crescendo et passage sous le pont d'arc après un picnic au bord de l'eau ! C'était magique, on y retournera avec plaisir pour la version plus longue ! Merci à toute l'équipe d'Alain Bateaux 💪👏”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Rogue River Family Float & Discovery Park-Rafting and Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $111

Meet Noah’s River Adventures in Ashland for a relaxed six-hour Rogue River float. Your guide, possibly Logan, Trevor, or Zach, handles the rowing and shares wildlife facts as you pass class I-II rapids. The river leads to private Rogue Discovery Park, where you can eat, swim, and kayak.

“Logan was a great tour guide. Fun, engaging, knowledgeable. Plus Discovery Park was awesome with lots of activities and food. Thanks for a great trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Lucca: Family-Friendly Kayaking Tour with Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 27 reviews · 1h 30m · from $47

Meet near Lucca’s river and paddle a green, family-friendly stretch with small rapids, slides, and swimming stops. Guides such as Sara, Jack, and Franco lead the 90-minute outing in Italian or English. Kayak gear, life jacket, paddle, and an aperitivo are included.

“Esperienza bellissima con bambini. Prima volta in kayak per tutta la famiglia ed è stato super! Percorso tranquillo adatto alle gite in famiglia, i nostri bimbi (5 e 7 anni) si sono divertiti tantissimo. Durante il tragitto in kayak abbiamo fatto 3 soste per un bel bagno rinfrescante, in una delle tappe abbiamo anche fatto aperitivo (compreso nel pacchetto che abbiamo scelto) in riva al fiume. Sara, la nostra guida, è stata davvero super!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Kaikoura: Guided Family Kayaking Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 3 hours · from $95

Join Kaikoura Kayaks for a three-hour family trip along New Zealand’s coast. Guides such as Charlie, Emma, and Izzie help beginners and children use stable sea kayaks while you watch for fur seals, birds, fish, dolphins, and jellyfish.

“It's been one of the most amazing ecotour we ever joined. Definitely our luckiest day as we encountered with dolphins, seals and jellyfishes along the way! Our knowledgeable and friendly guide Charlie is just best. We were the first in the group spotted the dolphins as Charlie leaded us towards the right direction in the first place. Totally worth it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Loch Ness, Family-Friendly, 1-Hour Discovery Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $39Best value

Join an English-speaking canoe guide for a one-hour paddle from Fort Augustus along Loch Ness. You will use a stable Canadian-style canoe, hear local myths and history, explore the River Oich mouth, and finish with hot soup, oatcakes, and local cheese.

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Family Kayaking Tour: Discovering Venice

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 7 reviews

Join Venetian rowing-club members Nicoló and Aleksandra for a 100-minute family kayak lesson and tour. Learn basic paddling, train in Castello’s canals, visit the historic Querini club, and see Venice from the water.

“We all loved this activity. The guides were knowledgeable and interested. It gives you a different perspective of the city when you travel like the locals did in the past in non-motorized boats. No need to be an experienced kayaker.”

Check availability →Read our full review