Author: krissy k

Texas offers the perfect place for kayaking for beginners and experienced kayakers. It has a great number of waterways, lakes, and reservoirs. Kayaking spots in Texas vary from gentle, urban waters to secluded rapid-filled rivers.

Levels of Kayaking

The levels range from category 1-5 or A-E.  The A/1 level is recommended purely for beginners and of course anyone else with experience.   The E/5 level is for a certified kayaker.  The level E/5 is achieved only after being credited by a well recognized institution.

Best Kayaking Spots for beginners in Texas

Colorado River

Colorado River is great for amateurs due to its gentle and peaceful demeanor. You will certainly not find any rapids along the river and is perfect for those seeking seclusion from swimmers.

Toledo Bend Reservoir

It’s found on the Texas Louisiana border.  It has plenty of surface area.  Its waters are typically flat with little creeks and bends. Surrounded by great rocks with scattered lushly green grass. It offers a cool place to just unwind and paddle all day.

Buffalo Bayou

It’s a 26-mile waterway that runs through the city thus popular for tourist and families. It’s a great place to kayak while enjoying Houston’s Natural Side.

Possum Kingdom Lake

It runs along the Brazos River. It’s a wonderful place for kayaking, surrounded by hills and Brazos River.

Brazos River

There are a few rapids you will experience on the Brazos. Water levels fluctuate depending on the year and spring and fall are the best time to go.

Its water has a copper tint yet clear as they flow from the rock bottom river. The rocky surrounding provides a good landscape with nice sunrises and sunsets on the river as it creeps through the Palo Pinto Mountains.

Best Kayaking spots for gurus in Texas

Devil’s River

Devil’s river is recommended for experienced Kayakers. Its water is treacherous with class III rapids. It’s serene with blue waters and the desert scenery consisting of very large hills and cliffs with little cactus vegetation.

Frio River

This is a cool gem for a river fed by an underground spring, therefore, its water is cool all throughout the year. Ideal for people during the summer. It’s one of the beautiful rivers in Texas with pure rock surroundings and magnificent Cypress trees. You will definitely fall in love with this river at first sight.

Rio Grande River

Characterized by class IV rapid, Rio Grande offers a great spot for kayaking. It’s surrounded with great features such as the sheer limestone walls towering 1500 ft. tall and great rocks that will make your trip a memory to treasure.

Austin’s Town Lake

It’s one of the most popular spots for kayaking, where paddlers paddle to the historic and great piece of Art, the Austin’s Congress Bridge. It offers great sunset views from the lake.

What’s the best time for Kayaking in Texas?

Water levels, temperature and wind strength are key factors to consider when to go kayaking.  Considering the humidity levels, the temperature of Texas feel very nice throughout the year.

Spring is the best time of the year to go kayaking, followed by Autumn and closely followed by summer. Heat waves are to be considered during summer, which could be really dangerous for anyone outside participating in any physical activity.  Texas is definitely a hot spot for kayaking, so next time you want to get some great water time, the above spots are the real deal.

The Salmon River drainage is divided into five different whitewater segments each with its level of difficulty and personality. The Main Salmon River comprises three segments which are; the Lower Salmon, the Main Salmon-(the middle section of the river) and the Upper Salmon. The Middle Fork and the South Fork of the Salmon River are the other two segments of the Salmon River drainage.

The Upper and Main Salmon

The Upper Salmon begins in the Sawtooth Mountains. Paddling through this stretch of the river close to Stanley, Idaho, you will see beautiful mountain scenery and encounter moderately challenging rapids.

The middle part of the Main Salmon River flows through a remote and deep canyon at the center of Idaho’s backcountry. There you will find more than 80 miles of the river categorized as Wild and Scenic.

Floating on this particular portion of the river is highly in demand and due to this; private kayakers and rafters enter an annual lottery in February to try their luck in securing a summer permit to paddle on this section of the river.

The Lower Salmon

The Lower Salmon section starts around the town of Riggins, Idaho. On this stretch of the river, the river canyon is more arid and open. The pine tree and rock canyon walls of the Main Salmon open up to broad compasses of canyon vegetated with grasses and sage.

Where the Lower Salmon narrows, you will encounter rapids of medium difficulty. Permits to paddle on the Lower Salmon are available on request.

The South Fork of the Salmon

Remote, challenging and wild, the South Fork of the Salmon taunts the experienced kayaker to put their skills to test. Catarafts and Kayaks are usually the crafts chosen for this boulder-filled, steep and narrow river that ends near Mackay Bar.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon

The waters here churn and twist for over 100 miles in Idaho’s mountain wilderness. The rapids are relatively continuous and among the most challenging. You can apply for a permit through the February lottery.

River Difficulty Ratings, Dangers, and Level of Experience

The difficulty of rapids mostly depends on water flow. Springtime usually brings fast and high water flow making kayaking more dangerous than when the river is at normal flow. On the other hand, low water flow makes it more difficult to navigate around rapids increasing the danger of crashing a kayak or raft on a rock.

River difficulty is rated on a scale of one to five (i, ii, iii, iv and v). Class (v) means that the water is life-threatening, class (iv) the water is very difficult and highly risky to paddle and may result in injury or loss of equipment, class (iii) the water is moderately challenging even to the experienced paddler, class (ii) the water has safe waves where maneuvering is easy when going around obstacles and class (i) indicates flat moving water.

The Upper Salmon is mostly class (ii)-(iii). The Main Salmon section class is (iii)-(iv) and the Lower Salmon class is (ii)-(iii) but has class (v) rapids when the water flow is high, the Middle Fork and South Fork have class (ii), (iii) and (iv) however, the South Fork has several class (v) rapids.

Class (i) and (ii) waters won’t present much of a danger to beginner and intermediate kayaker.  However, novice kayakers should first master some kayaking skills before advancing to class (ii). Experienced kayakers, on the other hand, can paddle in class (iii) and (iv) depending on how skilled they are.

When kayaking in the Salmon River, you are likely to see a range of wildlife like bears and elks at the river banks. Eagles are also common and may likewise see salmons especially during mid-summer to late fall.

There are also fantastic views of farmlands and dense forests across the Salmon River. The river also has deep pools for swimming and plenty of fish, so when planning a kayaking trip to the Salmon River, along with a quality kayak, bring along your fishing gear and swimsuit.

Crete Island, surrounded by the sun-kissed and warm Mediterranean Sea, is usually an ideal location for a sea kayaking adventure. This island provides a wide range of spectacular sceneries from the steep mountain cliffs to the white sandy beaches.

Paddling against the sea waves, exploring sea caves and the rocky coast, enjoying individual contact with the sea and basking in the remote hidden beaches are some of the numerous beautiful moments that you’ll experience in this kind of escapism.

Crete Kayaking Routes

Crete has a 1000-km-long coastline, and there are many sea routes that you can use to explore the island by kayak. These popular routes are typically marked by the outstanding beauty of the sea landscape and the absence of big waves and strong winds, making them perfect locations for kayaking.

In the southern Crete, you will find amazing routes for both beginners and experienced kayakers. You can begin at Palaiochora, and then go past Gialiskari beach, stop at old Lissos bay and end at Sougia.  The entire distance is approximately 12 miles.

You can reach Agia Roumeli from Sougia, through Pefki, Agios Antonis, Prophitis Ilias, the majestic region of Domata, Fournoti and Agia Roumeli bay. From Agia Roumeli, you will find a route to Loutro that passes Agios Pavlos, a beautiful church that was built on the waves in the 11th century under the Agios Ioannis forest.

Through Trapezia, the scenic area of Marmara and the Phoenix bay you will finally reach the magnificent Loutro bay. From the Loutro bay, you can make some daytime excursions to Chora Sfakion and Glyka Nera.  You can also make excursions at the exit of Gorge of Aradaina.

Things to do in Crete

Sailing and exploring the coast is one of the popular attractions for those visiting this island. There are boat services every day to many of the most popular remote beaches like Agia Roumeli, Balos, and Preveli.

Visitors can also take exciting trips to the different islands along the Crete coastline. Those looking for seclusion or more options can rent a sailing vessel or motor from the marinas and the small harbors of the Crete.

In the recent past, the number of tourists who prefer exploring the beautiful beaches and the rugged coastline using canoe kayak has significantly increased. Several companies provide lessons or rent equipment for kayaking.

Furthermore, at most organized beaches, various companies provide numerous water sports options including parasailing, jet skiing, aqua-board, pedaling, and water skiing. All the well-organized beaches usually host beach soccer and beach volley courts as well.

Another great activity is diving.  You can enjoy the magnificent underwater world of the coast of Crete and also explore the countless diving sites. The relatively small surface and the morphology of the Mediterranean render the subsequent strong currents and the tides virtually absent, providing the divers with the perfect condition for memorable diving experiences.

Moreover, the temperature is high in winter and summer, with an average of approximately 20°C. Visitors of Crete get the opportunity to enjoy the splendid underwater world by selecting among the many diving clubs, which operate across the island, ready to serve all sea divers, in any period, with responsibility and safety.

Apart from diving, guests can also explore the coastline through snorkeling or participating in glass-bottom boat excursions or fishing trips.

Kite-surfing and windsurfing are the most common wave sports you will find in Crete. The bay of Kouremenos, next to Palekastro, is the most popular windsurfing resort in Crete.

Here, lovers of kite-surf and windsurfing will get all they need; equipment to rent and strong winds. Other windsurfing spots in Crete that will give you some unforgettable experiences include Kedrodasos, Falasarna, Elafonisi, and Agia Marina among others.

The variety of wildlife along the Crete coastline is incredible. This attracts birdwatchers from all over the world.  This islands bird selection typically includes various species of resident birds and the migrants that stop over this island during their autumn and spring migrations to and from Europe and Africa.

Apart from its geomorphology, Crete also supports wildlife reservation through the establishment of various national parks that attract different rare species of wildlife.

Conclusion

Crete is popularly known for its numerous rugged cliffs and varied scenery which contrasts beautifully with the Mediterranean Sea and blue sky. The best way to discover this iconic coastline is by sailing on a sea kayak.

Kayaking offers an excellent combination of adventure, sense of freedom and intense individual action. The remote villages, antiquities, beaches, caves, and ruins will give you an unforgettable experience that you will always remember positively.

The entire length of the St. John’s River is 310 miles and therefore among the rivers, it is the longest in Florida. The St. Johns River is about 5,000 years old and thus, it is a relatively young river.

The southern part of the St. Johns River is upstream whereas its northern part is downstream. For the entire length of the river, it drops only by around 30 feet and because of that, the river moves slowly.

Kayaking provides you with the best way to be able to navigate the river and see all the authentic beauty that Florida has to offer.  You can cover all the length of the river, from its marshes that are narrow to the river’s broad expanses.

The river is highly accessible since it has 9 public landings plus 20 public landings found on the county’s attached waterways.

St. John’s River Wildlife

The amazing wildlife constitutes one of the main attractions of the river, apart from the beautiful scenery and other numerous things to do. When kayaking through the river, you will be able to observe different types and species of wildlife.

In fact, there are hundreds of different species of mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, mollusks, reptiles, and many more. Some of the common known plants and animals that inhabit this river’s ecosystem include:

Plants

There are hundred of different types of vegetation and plant life on the river.  Florida receives a lot of rain.  Therefore, the vegetation is always abundant and flourishing.

Some of the plants include: Widgeon grass, dwarf arrowhead, sago pondweed ,marsh pink, lizard’s tail, horned pondweed, water lettuce, yellow water lily, Illinois pondweed, water primrose, water hyacinth, musk grass, mosquito fern, alligator weed, alligator lilies, Cardinal flowers and many others.

Animals

Florida is known for it’s unique wild life assortment.  You will see beautiful creatures all over this state if you keep your eyes open.  There are Bottlenose dolphins, round-tailed muskrats, nutrias, minks, marsh rabbits, wild turkeys, raccoons, gray squirrels, white-tailed deer, snakes, frogs, lizards, turtles, gray fox, manatees, Florida black bears and alligators.

It is very common to see alligators basking in the sun along the banks of the river.  These creatures will not harm you so do not be alarmed or try to approach them.  Safety is key when out in nature.  This is their territory so please respect it and do not try to disrespect their habitat.

Birds

Since the river is open, you are also able to see a variety of different birds including wading birds, anhingas, cormorants, osprey and bald eagles. In the narrower channels of the river, you can also see various forest birds including belted kingfishers, great crested flycatchers, catbirds, parula and many more.

It is important to note that bird watching is best during the spring, winter, and fall. Moreover, you should also note that it is during March and April when you will be able to experience bird migration. With the incredible backdrop provided by the river for bird watching, you are almost guaranteed to have a lasting impression.

Kayaking the St. John’s River

Kayaking, as I had said before, provides you the best way to be able to sightsee what the river’s ecosystem has to offer you. The type of kayak that you choose will depend on your particular individual needs and preference.

Kayaking the river is easy and thus suitable for all the different kayaking skill levels even if you are a beginner. That is because even though the river is pretty curvy, no tricky maneuvering is required except maybe when you have to dodge an occasional fallen tree.  The river current is very mild and it is not that deep.

If you plan to go kayaking before sunrise, then it is recommended that you visit the area during summer.  Do not forget to carry around enough bug spray when visiting Florida.  This state is a marsh land and a breeding ground for pesky mosquitos.

In conclusion, kayaking the river provides you with a better way to be able to see and experience the authentic and natural beauty of the real Florida in a way that is more relaxing and away from the city crowds and over crowded themed parks.

Kayaking gives you an opportunity to get up close with these fascinating creatures of the sea on their home turf without the noise of the engines from boat cruises and a crowd hovering over you.

In the quietness and stillness of waters here are some of the best places you can kayak with Humpback whales.

Maui in Hawaii

Thousands of Humpback whales move from the arctic, and travel to the Hawaiian waters in the South for the purposes of breeding, birthing as well as nursing their young ones. You will find your best kayaking encounters on this island along with other outdoor lovers.

Whales love warm and calm waters and the Maui western shores provide just that. You’ll see a large number of them off these shores- a place that is equally very pleasant for people to relax.

There are guided tours and chances are that in less than a mile off shore, your Humpback encounters will start. The best months to take your kayaking tour are between February and March as well as from November to May.

Note that going anywhere near the whales by 100 yards is not permissible; however, the whales will move close to you. Even a newbie can comfortably take this trip.

Loreto Port, Mexico

The Loreto Port town is a starting point for tours and trips to the re-known Baja Peninsula coast. You can embark on one of these tours to experience the wonders of nature that this rugged coast has to offer.

During the winter season, whales migrate to seek the comfort and shelter of the Loreto Bay National Marine Park. There are slow paced guided tours with another boat close by to offer any support if necessary.

You can plan to visit any time of the year, and what’s more you do not have to be a professional to take part.

Vancouver Island, British Colombia

Between June and July, Humpbacks travel from Hawaii where they breed, birth and nurse their little ones and migrate to the shores of the Vancouver Island during the summer season.

The waters off this island provide a perfect shelter for these giants of the sea, and you can kayak there with a guide. Any level is welcome to take part.

Vava’u, Tonga

Though remotely located, many people can’t resist the allure of these islands especially their Humpback whales. The Vava’u Islands in the Pacific Ocean are an ideal destination for kayaking with the most of the encounters happening in its sheltered waters.

The best time to take your tour is between July and October when it’s a dry season in Tonga and the waters calm and temperatures warm. To kayak here, it’s advisable that you are an intermediate level kayaker.

Monterey Bay, California

From the Monterey Bay shores, you can experience the magnificent sight of Humpback whales with either a stand up paddle board or a kayak. From the south of Mexico and Central America where they breed and birth during the winter, Humpbacks migrate up north to the Monterey Bay to feed.

They begin to arrive somewhere in March but you can only start kayaking with them from early May to Mid-October. You are required to be of intermediate level for this kayaking expedition.

Final Thoughts

All trips mentioned above are full of excitement and adventure.  Getting the opportunity to paddle alongside these majestic creatures is a rare experience.  Make sure you have the appropriate skill level before venturing out.  Lastly, always remember to carry appropriate clothing and supplies for all your kayaking expeditions.