Sea kayaking with kids

Our family kayaking trips – holidays that have been designed expressly with parents and kids in mind – ensure that you’re out on the water for just the right amount of time. They take place in calm conditions and take into account that you may need a bit more time to get clothing and equipment ready in the mornings.

Family kayaking holidays are usually 4-8 days long so that you can make it a short break or fold it into a longer trip. They paddle through some of the world’s most dramatic coastal destinations – Vancouver Island in Canada, Pembrokeshire National Park in Wales, the Scottish Highlands. In warm seas such as Croatia or Greece, the kayaking can easily be combined with swimming or snorkelling.

When kayaking with family, there is usually a minimum age depending on the holiday. Some will accept children as young as six, offering a very easy-going introduction to sea kayaking, with the very young sharing a kayak with a parent.

Other trips may be a bit more challenging and perhaps teach some specific skills. They are aimed at kids aged 12 and up, who will typically be stronger and able to swim further, and perhaps have a bit of experience already.

Sophie Hurst, owner of our Welsh sea kayaking partner Preseli Venture, says: “Although it is great if the parents help the kids get all the kit and equipment ready to go in the water, once they are out there, it is really helpful if they – how do I put it politely? – back off a bit. Leave the instructing to us, because it is easier for the instructor to do their job then. The same thing goes for the husbands who try to teach their wives!”

Jon Kellie, a kayaking instructor and guide at Preseli Venture, adds: “There is a lot of faff that goes with kayaking because there is a lot of kit. You have to load the trailer, and get the boats to the water, do the capsize drill and so on. So if people are late at the beginning of the day, you do run out of time a bit. My main tips for families are: be on time, be ready and don’t faff.”

Vanja Kelemen, from our partner Huck Finn Adventure Travel in Croatia, recommends that newbies stay for a week: “Our trips are a week long, which gives complete beginners enough time to get used to their kayak and develop kayaking skills. We use single and double kayaks so kids can make sure their parents know what they are doing and keep them from capsizing.”

Catherine Mack, travel writer, mum and sea kayaking regular, has a packing tip: “Rubber and Neoprene boots are a nightmare to get on and off for sea kayaking. Bring a bottle of olive or almond oil and rub a little on the feet before putting the boots on – guaranteed tantrum-free bootie moment. Other parents will nab it, so bring plenty.”