Top USA Kayaking Tours

This four-hour kayak, hike and swim tour into the sacred Antelope Canyon offers an unforgettable adventure: combining 2 hours of kayaking, 1.5 hours of hiking and 0.5 hour of swimming into one thrilling experience. Ideal for both beginners and advanced kayakers who are reasonably fit. This tour promises fun and exploration in one of nature's most stunning settings. The journey begins at the Antelope Point Launch Ramp, where we'll embark on a paddle through the main channel of Lake Powell, heading towards Antelope Canyon. As we navigate the lake's waters, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds us. Upon reaching the back of the canyon, the adventure continues with an awe-inspiring hike through the unique landscape. After the hike, it's time to paddle back and enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear waters of Lake Powell.

Watch the sun set over Chesapeake Bay on a 2-hour, small-group dolphin tour by kayak from Virginia Beach. Paddle along the coast as you spot Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, and see the Cape Henry Lighthouses and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel from the water.

On this small-group kayaking or paddleboard tour, you’ll hit the scenic coastlines of Marina del Ray for a hands-on nature immersion. Learn kayaking or paddleboard techniques from your guide, and get a chance to spot local wildlife like sea lions, dolphins, and different varieties of seabird. Tours are capped at only seven participants for a personalized experience.

See Lake Tahoe from a whole new perspective on a small-group guided tour in clear kayaks. Follow your lifeguard-certified guide and paddle around Lake Tahoe's scenic East Shore from Sand Harbor to hidden coves and highlights such as Bonsai Rock. On hot days, you can even take a dip in the waters to cool off while you soak up the scenery.

There are very few places in the world where you can experience the stars in the sky and illuminated water around you at the same time. Our trip starts off with a beautiful sunset paddle in Griffin Bay off of San Juan Island where we kayak among harbor seals, roosting birds, and other wildlife. Then as the night progresses, the environment around us becomes even more serene as the bioluminescent sea life comes to life. This is one of those experiences that you will truly remember forever. Please contact Outdoor Odysseys directly to complete your waivers prior to the tour. The last ferry leaves Friday Harbor at 9:50pm and our June, July, and August tours end later.

Kayaking in the tidal marshes around Charleston is a must-do for wildlife lovers, but without a guide by your side, you’re likely to miss a lot. This tour gets you out on the water with a guide who knows the best spots to go for sightings. While you never know just what you’ll see, creatures that live in these waters include Loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and more.

Experience Hilton Head’s wildlife-rich Broad Creek Estuary on this kayaking tour designed for all ages and experience levels—no need for prior experience or your own equipment. Glide through calm salt-marsh waters and keep an eye out for wild bottlenose dolphins, as well as manatees, sea turtles, otters, and shorebirds. Paddle past waterfront homes and learn about the local history and ecology from your guide.

Paddle through the mangrove ecosystem of Tavernier Creek in the Florida Keys on a single or double kayak on this guided tour. Ideal for first-time paddlers, glide in shallow, clear water over sponges, grass beds, and sandy patches. Marine life like turtles, stingrays, dolphins, and manatees can sometimes be spotted nearby.

Explore the Maine coast on a small-group paddling tour around Western Bay (Pretty Marsh), Blue Hill Bay, and Somes Sound. Learn much more about the region's environment than you would alone, look out for wildlife including seals, and bring your own picnic to enjoy lunch on a coastal beach.

How many people can say they’ve kayaked acoss an old volcano? That’s exactly what you’ll do on this guided tour, paddling across Lake Yellowstone with your ACA-certified guide. Starting in the morning to avoid the winds, you’ll kayak past geysers, valleys, and get up-close and personal with the lake’s thermal features. All gear—from life jackets to snacks—included for this memorable Yellowstone adventure.

Get up close and personal with the spectacular scenery of Hanalei Bay—and enjoy an active way to explore—on this two-in-one, half-day tour. Begin with a kayaking trip along the Hanalei River before heading onto the Bay to soak up the scenery, spy sea turtles, and more. Then, swap your kayak for a snorkel for an underwater nature expedition. Finally, unwind with lunch on the beach.

Get an up-close view of Florida’s spectacular, coastal mangrove forests—and enjoy an active way to explore—on this kayaking or paddleboarding tour. Pick from multiple tour times, head to the departure point, and meet your guide: after an introduction to your kayak or paddleboard, you’ll hit the water. Paddle through mangrove tunnels, have the chance to spot wildlife like dolphins and manatees, and learn more about the forests from your guide.

The Tonto National Forest is the largest in Arizona and the Lower Salt River runs right through its heart. On this tour, admire the natural scenery from the water on a thrilling kayaking excursion. Set out from Saguaro Lake Ranch, paddle along the Salt River, and look out for native wildlife, including the park’s herd of wild horses.

Escape the bustle of the city for the morning—and immerse yourself in Florida’s wealth of wildlife—on this family-friendly kayaking tour of Lofton Creek, just north of Jacksonville. Make your own way to the departure point at Fernandina Beach, take part in a brief introduction, and grab your kayak, paddle, and life vest. Then, take to the water, where you can spot wildlife ranging from otters and turtles—even manatees.

Escape the bustle of Las Vegas and discover stunning scenery from the water's edge on this half-day kayaking trip on the Colorado River. Make your own way to the Willow Beach Marina, grab a life jacket, and set off on this scenic kayak trip. Along the way, soak up the scenery, pause for a swim, look for wildlife, and learn about the area’s history from your guide.

Enjoy sublime coastal scenery as you spot marine life during this kayaking trip to La Jolla’s sea caves and ecological reserve. Paddle alongside your expert naturalist guide as you observe the numerous species of birds, dolphins, sea lions, and even orcas of the area. Kayak among the lush kelp beds that grow in the reserve and, if conditions permit, explore inside the sea caves that dot the rocky coastline.

Experience the serenity of Emerald Cave, a picturesque natural attraction on the Colorado River. This kayaking tour takes a small group max of 13 people paddling up the river with a guide. Stop for snacks and swimming along the way. Round-trip hotel transport can be selected as an option from Las Vegas, or you can make your own way to the starting point by rental car in Willow Beach, Arizona.

Hop into a completely clear kayak on the Crystal River and Three Sisters Springs where you have the chance to spot manatees, turtles, otters, and more on this small-group kayaking tour. Paddle your way around Three Sisters Spring and enjoy all the beauty of it clear, colorful water without getting wet

Paddle alongside the wild dolphins of Virginia Beach on a small-group kayak tour from North End Beach. Watch for sea birds and other wildlife as you steer an easy to use, sit-on-top kayak along the coast to the Cape Henry Lighthouses. Learn about the Atlantic bottlenose dolphins that swim past the Virginia coast each summer, and explore the shore with an experienced guide.

Discover the diverse wildlife of Jupiter with a clear kayak tour. Meet your guide for a small-group paddling adventure into mangroves and scenic waterways. Keep an eye out for a variety of wildlife such as manatees, dolphins, and colorful fish. See below the surface of the water through the clear, transparent kayak during the excursion.

Explore La Jolla Ecological Reserve's sea caves during a 90-minute kayaking tour. Follow your experienced guide through several diverse ecological habitats, home to one of the highest concentrations of sea life in California. Paddle toward the Seven Sea Caves, where you can get stunning views from inside Emerald Cave, the only north-facing cave in the state (conditions permitting). Explore a giant kelp forest inhabited by wildlife like harbor seals and sea lions. Use of all kayaking equipment is included; no kayaking experience is necessary.

Get another perspective on the southern California coast during this leisurely kayak tour in Santa Barbara. Learn the basics of kayaking from your guide, and hear about Santa Barbara’s natural history and marine life during your tour. You won't have to worry about equipment rentals since kayaking gear is included.

Guided paddles run on someone else's pace and route, which doesn't suit everyone. Set your own on a self-guided kayak trip to Emerald Cave, paddling the calm waters of the Colorado River through Black Canyon near Las Vegas. Watch for bighorn sheep on the cliffs as you glide along flat, sheltered water, which suits beginners as much as regular paddlers.