Top USA Kayaking Tours

Explore the natural beauty of Kauai on a 5-hour tour that combines a lovely kayaking trip with an moderately easy hike to Uluwehi Falls, also known as Secret Falls. Your experienced guide provides a paddling lesson and guided kayak tour in the Wailua River Valley, following gorgeous waterways through the lush Kauai landscape. Then hop out of your kayaks and take a 45-minute hike to Secret Falls where you can cool off in the clear waters before returning to the Wailua marina the way you came.

Leave behind the bustle of Las Vegas—and get up close and personal with the beautiful Colorado River—on this half-day kayaking tour. Hop aboard your shuttle at the Mandalay Bay Resort, head to Willow Beach, and grab your life jackets and paddles. Then, set off on a gentle, 5-mile (8-kilometer) trip down the Black Canyon, complete with a visit to Emerald Cave. Snacks and water are included.

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.

Increase your chances of spotting manatees and dolphins during an eco-friendly kayak tour of the Lido Key in Sarasota. Ideal for lovers of nature and wildlife, this experience lets you escape the crowds on land and is suitable for both beginner and advanced paddlers. Plus, traveling in a non-motorized vessel means you’re less likely to scare away animals.

Paddle a kayak through mangrove creeks and shallow water on a Key West kayaking tour that offers an up-close look that this unique coastal environment. This guided tour is the perfect way to spot Florida wildlife in a natural habitat.

Discover the natural beauty of Hilton Head Island with a guided kayaking tour. Meet your guide for a quick safety tutorial and then paddle out into the Broad Creek Wildlife Area. Keep an eye out for birds and dolphins as you explore salt marshes, tidal rivers, and creeks. Learn about the local ecosystem and history from your naturalist guide. No prior kayaking experience is necessary.

Explore Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands area on this guided kayak tour. Join a small group and follow your guide around the mangrove tunnels, keeping your eyes peeled for resident manatees, dolphins, and sea birds. Learn about the ecology of the area from your guide and enjoy a relaxing day out on the water.

Paddle through the mangrove ecosystem of Tavernier Creek on a kayak or paddleboard 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. Sunset and night tours with lighted boards are also available.

Get out on the water and see Tampa Bay from a new perspective with this kayaking tour. Ride in a clear kayak—which has the advantage of greater visibility of the underwater world. Along the way look out for coastal birds, marine life, and the beautiful mangroves. No need to worry about missing out on photo opportunities—the trip includes photo stops and a break at Shell Key to enjoy its beach and sandbars.

Experience the underwater world of Crystal River with a clear kayak on this small-group excursion. Clear kayaks give you the ability to see everything that’s happening beneath you while you paddle through the waters. Join a small group to explore the waterways of Crystal River and search for local wildlife like manatees, dolphins, and turtles.

Immerse yourself in Arizona’s beautiful scenery—and enjoy a new way to explore—on this family-friendly kayaking tour along the Verde River. Pick between several departure times, grab your safety gear, and set off in a shuttle to the river with just a small group for company. This beginner-friendly tour includes a relaxing paddle down a 3.1-mile (5-kilometer) stretch of this river, and the chance to take on gentle mini rapids.

Watch more than a million bats fly out of the Congress Avenue Bridge on an evening kayak tour of Austin that’s timed to catch the spectacular natural show. Observing the Congress Avenue Bridge bats from a kayak means you don’t have to find a spot among the crowds on the riverbank, giving you a front-row seat as the Mexican free-tailed bats take to the sky.

Immerse yourself in Sarasota's coastal mangrove forests, look out for dolphins and manatees, and practice your kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding skills on this immersive, small-group tour. After departing from Ted Sperling Nature Park, you'll paddle out on Sarasota Bay and can practice with your equipment. Then, head into the mangrove tunnels for your best chance to see local marine life.

If you want to explore the waters near St. Pete Beach at night, but are too intimidated to journey out on your own because the area is home to a lot of marine life, this tour is a great choice. This St. Pete Beach Glass Bottom Kayak LED Night Tour lets you go out with a guide who knows the area and its ecosystem well and who can easily lead the way even in the dark.

Embark on a Garden Isle adventure with a half-day kayak trip on Kauai’s legendary Wailua River. Paddle through lush tropical landscape with a guide, passing a traditional Hawaiian village and learning about the river’s ancient, sacred history along the way. Feel like an island explorer as you hike to a sparkling waterfall.

More than a welcome sight for sore eyes, the tidal marshes around Charleston are a hotbed for Lowcountry biodiversity. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of wildlife such as Loggerhead turtles, bottlenose dolphins, and more as you paddle down Folly Creek en route to the tidal creeks that wrap around the Hammock Islands. This leisurely paced kayaking tour is capped at 12 participants for a more personalized experience.

Escape the bustle of Las Vegas and discover the stunning scenery from the cool water on this 5-star rated half-day kayaking trip on the Colorado River. Make your own way to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, grab a life jacket and set off on this small-group 4-mile kayak trip. As you go, soak up the scenery, pause for a swim, spot wildlife and learn about the area’s history from your expert guide. This is sure to be the best thing you do in Las Vegas!

Experience the natural beauty and marine life of Southwest Florida up-close with a CLEAR kayak! Don't just take our word on what an awesome tour this is... see our TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards for 2022 and 2023! Paddle Naples' tours are in the top 10% of all worldwide tours! Our Five-Star guided eco-tours and rentals take you through Estero Bay and the Gulf of Mexico’s most incredible paddling routes... including mangrove tunnels, secluded beaches, and prime shelling areas! This is prime habitat for dolphins (year round) and manatees (mostly warm water months). We use top quality standard kayaks and paddleboards that are comfortable and easy to paddle. We have CLEAR paddleboards too, and HOBIE pedal kayaks if needed. Complementary photos included! Looking for something truly unique? Try our CLEAR Kayak Sunset Glow Tour. We will paddle to a secluded beach for shelling until sunset, then we turn on the colorful underwater LED lights and have a great time paddling back!

Get outdoors and explore a spectacular natural wonder—the Emerald Cave on this kayaking adventure. After setting off from Willow Beach Marina, paddle along the Colorado River past interesting sites such as a 1920’s era government project, the Black Canyon, and finally—the picturesque Emerald Cave. Traveling on a kayak allows you to access remote hard-to-reach nature spots without the worry of getting lost as a guide takes care of the navigating.

Exploring the mangrove tunnels is one of the best ways to experience the natural beauty of Key Largo. Instead of setting out alone, for the best experience visit with someone who knows the area well. This small-group kayaking tour takes you through the clear waters to learn about the mangroves and their importance to the Keys' ecosystem. You'll learn about local wildlife, including turtles and manatees, and have the chance to snorkel.

See the city of Orlando in a new light during this night glow experience on Lake Ivanhoe. Choose between a kayak and paddleboard, both outfitted with vibrant led lighting on their underside. Paddle under the moonlight with ease, even if you’re a beginner. The spring-fed lake gives a clear view, though the bright lights of the Orlando skyline are just as mesmerizing.

Hop into a completely clear kayak on the Crystal River and Three Sisters Springs where you’ll be seeing manatees, turtles, otters, and more on this guided tour. If you’re over 3 years old, you can join this expedition. There are 70 freshwater springs here, and we’ll explore the best one, the Three Sisters Spring. Enjoy all the beauty of this clear, colorful water and its wildlife.

The perfect mix of outdoor adventure and relaxation, this tour combines a kayaking excursion with wine tasting in Arizona’s Verde Valley. Paddle down the Verde River in a kayak and stop at a vineyard for a sommelier-led tasting. Feel safe with a guide who can offer paddling and safety tips, as well as sharing information on the river’s flora and fauna.