Top 13 Winter Activities

1.Winter Kayaking, Swedish Fika, and Hot Sauna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 817 reviews · 3 - 6 hours · from $138Our pick

Paddle among icy islands, cottages, wildlife, and Vaxholm Fortress with a small group and English-speaking guide. Your dry suit, boots, gloves, fika, photos, and kayak are provided. Add the wood-fired sauna and Baltic Sea polar plunge for a memorable finish.

“What an absolutely magical experience! The ice threw us off our original plans. But the guides were amazing and made the experience even better than anything we could have imagined.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Tromsø: Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 591 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $225

You’ll paddle winter fjords near Tromsø in a small group of up to 10, with drysuits, instruction, transfers, and guides such as Lauti, Jenka, and Eamon. Expect about 2.5 hours on the water, possible seals and sea eagles, and hot drinks and snacks by the fire afterward.

“Activity was great. Most in the group did not have any kayak experience, but that did not impact the experience. Already started with a seal in the place where we entered the water, and after approximately 1hr we found a big group of seals. Thanks to our guides, who set a nice pace and kept good tracknof us.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Winter Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 439 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $202

Join Hightide Kayak School for a three-hour winter paddle on Lake Brienz. Your guide, possibly Sean, Ryan, Chris, Patrizia, or another member of the team, supplies the kayak, dry suit, instruction, and photos. Expect calm water, mountain views, and a tea break on the lake.

“Ryan was fantastic! Kept us engaged with conversation the entire time, and was super nice! Loved the excursion would highly recommend!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Interlaken: Small-Group Winter Kayak Tour on Lake Brienz

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 249 reviews · 3 hours · from $180

Join Hightide Kayak School for a 3-hour winter kayak tour on Lake Brienz. You’ll paddle with an English or German-speaking guide, wear a sealed drysuit, stop for hot tea and cookies, and receive digital photos and video. Beginners and non-swimmers are welcome from age 12.

“It was my first attempt, I was really really scared. But the guide Andres was great at explaining how kayaking is done and I took to the water and had the time of my life. It was the most liberating and freeing couple of hours of my life. I felt safe and knew the guide was more than capable to rescue me if anything went wrong. Highly recommend the company and the experience. Had such an incredible time. Will definitely do it again.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Dresden: Paddle Steamer Winter Cruise to Pillnitz

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 178 reviews · 3 hours · from $37Best value

Spend three hours aboard an authentic paddle steamer from Dresden’s Old Town to Pillnitz Castle. You’ll pass the Baroque Quarter, three Elbe castles, and the Blue Wonder Bridge, with English or German audio commentary and optional hot mulled wine on the return.

“freundlicher Service, schöne Einrichtung, nette Erklärungen, gute Länge”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Clear Kayak Glow in the Dark Tour Through Winter Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Launch beside Rollins College and paddle a clear, light-up kayak through canals linking three Winter Park lakes. Your guide, often Chris, Chad, or Jackson, teaches the basics and points out wildlife, local stories, and grand homes. The 90-minute evening trip suits beginners, couples, and families.

“The night was perfect with a full moon and fire works. Being out on lake at night was peaceful and relaxing experience.We saw fish and plants under water with our boat light. Chad our guide was excellent. He made sure that we had a memorable experience. I will be back for the day Kayaking.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Svolvaer: 2-Hour Winter Kayaking Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 80 reviews · 2 hours · from $135

Meet XXLofoten at Svolvær harbor 30 minutes early for a dry suit and safety briefing. You’ll paddle stable double kayaks along the winter shoreline with a Norwegian or English-speaking guide such as Roger, Toby, or Johnathan. No kayaking experience is needed, but good fitness and warm layers are essential.

“It was well organised. Toby, patiently guided us with our waterproof overalls and equipment briefing. It was an unique experience to kayak above the arctic circle and experience the constant weather changes even within just the 2 hrs. He was also informative. We got to see White tailed sea eagles too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Gdansk: Winter Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 150 minutes - 3 hours · from $55

Kayak through Gdansk’s Motlawa River and Radunia Canal in a tandem boat, protected by a dry suit, boots, spray skirt, and paddle muffles. Guide Szymon is among the named guides, offering city stories along the way. The small group is limited to 10 people and includes hot chocolate.

“Really enjoyed this experience! The guide was very nice and informative about the city’s history as we kayaked. Felt very safe and was plenty warm enough- the hot chocolate was a very nice addition! Would recommend”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Lofoten: Half-Day Winter Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 3 hours · from $115

Meet guide Carlos at Eggum’s little red container for a three-hour winter kayak trip among Lofoten’s frozen islands. You’ll get a safety briefing, drysuit, gloves, and a double kayak, then paddle with an English or Spanish-speaking guide before warming up with a hot drink and snack.

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Winter Kayaking Tour through the City Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 48 reviews · 3 hours · from $134

Spend three hours kayaking Stockholm’s frozen-season waterways with guides such as Bobby and Emil. Dry suits, winter shoes, gloves, and safety gear are included. You’ll paddle past City Hall, Kungsholmen, Södermalm, and Gamla Stan in a small group of up to 10, with no experience required.

“Loved every minute of it! Bobbi was very kind, and the experience as such was truly great!! Thank you!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Winter City Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 16 reviews · 3.5 - 4 hours · from $171

Set out from central Stockholm with a qualified English-speaking guide such as Johan or Pete. After a safety lesson and dry-suit fitting, paddle past City Hall, Gamla Stan, and Södermalm, then warm up with lunch or fika and hot drinks.

“really nice trip, professional gear, nice guide and lunch!”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Kayaking tour with Local Guide( dry suit for winter)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 5 hours · from $52

Spend five hours kayaking about 9 km on a quiet river north of Guilin. Your guide teaches basic paddling, leads you through calm water and rougher sections, and supplies transport, equipment, water, and winter dry suits. Xiaoyuan and Douglas are among the guides named by past guests.

“We had an amazing time kayaking! The landscapes were absolutely beautiful, with stunning views all along the route. The experience felt peaceful yet exciting, and it was a great way to connect with nature. Our guide Xioyuan was excellent – very friendly, and made sure everyone felt safe and comfortable throughout the activity. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for both adventure and relaxation. Thanks to all the team for making it so easy, comfortable and fun!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Helsinki: Winter Kayaking in Eastern Helsinki Archipelago

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 2.5 hours · from $187

Meet your guide at Vuosaari Paddling Center for a 15-minute safety briefing, then spend two relaxed hours kayaking Eastern Helsinki’s winter archipelago. A dry suit, neoprene shoes, gloves, and beginner-friendly equipment are included. Bring warm layers, a hat, sunglasses, and spare clothes.

“Interesting at all ! We love it so much, and don't forget the beanie!”

Check availability →Read our full review