Half-Day Sea Kayaking

Sea kayaks are designed to travel efficiently over a distance. Explore Highland’s fleet of tandem Wavesport sea kayaks do just that. Being stable but efficient through the water, and easy to steer and track with the stern fitted rudder they make perfect sense for use on a short outing for all abilities including families, as well as use for single and multiday adventures due to reasonable storage capacity for expedition kit.

Half-day sea kayaking trips include the popular Paddle Moray Firth and using these kayaks Paddle Loch Ness trip or on the Caledonian Canal for complete beginners.

Half-day trips start from £240. With one coach/guide, the maximum number of paddlers is eight (four tandem sea kayaks). Larger groups are possible with more advanced notice.

The benefit of having a bespoke sea kayaking experience is that your family get a personalised outing and choose your own preferred paddle time. During summer Explore Highland suggests sunrise 7-10 am, morning 9 am- 12 noon, afternoon 2-5 pm, and evening 6-9 pm options.

See below for more details on how to book a private half-day sea kayak experience.

Kayak Caledonian Canal

The Caledonian Canal runs through the heart of Inverness on the east coast of Scotland, all the way to Fort William in the west. The canal sections make up twenty-two miles of the full 60 miles coast to coast, Loch Dochfour, Loch Ness, Loch Oich & Lochy Lochy are interlinked to allow transit.

For family groups with adult and child paddling tandem, the sheltered canal waters between Tomnahurich Swing Bridge and Dochgarroch Locks are ideal for a sheltered water sea kayaking outing.

Kayak Loch Ness

Paddle Loch Ness is one of Explore Highland’s most popular half-day trips. This adventure starts at Dochgarroch Locks where basic skills can be learned quickly moving from the Caledonian Canal onto Loch Dochfour. With lots to explore on we move across this short loch to access the world-famous Loch Ness. Stopping on the banks of Loch Ness for a refreshment break and stretch of the legs. Taking some time out to enjoy the scenery.

Kayak Moray Firth

For those looking for a more adventurous half-day paddle, Paddle Moray Firth is the one for you. Starting at North Kessock, we follow the coastline up to Kilmuir and onto Munlochy Bay. Conditions on the Moray Firth can be variable but the tandem sea kayaks with two paddlers driving them forward make for a stable platform to explore from.

What Equipment do we supply

For a half-day sea kayak trip we supply the following kit with all bookings:

  • tandem sea kayaks. The instructor will paddle solo with an even number of paddlers or pair up with the odd paddler,
  • a personal buoyancy aid, and a suitably kayak paddle
  • a small dry bag per person if required
  • approx three hours on the water paddling time
  • copies of photos taken during the trip

What you need to bring

When paddling, you should expect some splashing and drips from the paddle. You’ll also get wet feet when launching and landing the sea kayak from the beach landings. The weather can also change rapidly out on the water so its best to be prepared for the worst. Please bring suitable outdoor clothing to keep you warm for your time outdoors in the Scottish Highlands. As we are going on a wee journey, we will be outdoors for the full duration and not able to just nip back to the start for shelter if it starts to rain.

Essential Items:

  • a waterproof jacket and waterproof over-trousers are highly recommended
  • leggings/baselayer/fleece jumper
  • a hat/ cap to keep your head warm
  • old light footwear/trainers that you don’t mind getting wet

We recommend also bringing along;

  • water or juice as you may get thirsty. If paddling over lunchtime, do take some food too
  • any medication you may require
  • towel & complete change of clothes for afterward – can be left in your car at the start/finish point!

Jeans and hiking boats are NOT suitable for watersports and will not be allowed on the water.

Booking a Private Half-Day Sea Kayaking Experience

The Paddle Loch Ness and Paddle Moray Firth trips are very popular so we offer open group trips on a regular basis. Set dates for these can be found and paid online on the booking diary page.

You can book your Private Half-Day Sea Kayaking Experience in three easy steps.

Step 1 – Check out the online activity diary for Donald’s availability/clear day for a suitable date. A minimum of two weeks notice is required to turn around forms, create booking/invoice and allocate resources.

Step 2 –  If the date/time your required half-day sea kayaking experience are available/clear within my online diary, please complete the provisional private group booking request form below.

    Full Name (group organiser)

    Email Address

    UK Mobile Number or Whatsapp no. if outwith UK

    Paddlesports service required

    Paddling Activity/Adventure/Location

    Preferred paddlesport craft for booking

    Requested date of booking (or day 1 of a multiday trip)

    Duration of requested paddlesport activity

    No. of Adults in group (18+)

    No. of teenagers in group (12-18yo)

    No. of children in group (6-11yo)

    Any additional Comments regarding group booking

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    Once the form has been received and reviewed, Donald will get back in touch by email to accept or decline the provisional booking request.

    Step 3 – If your provisional booking is accepted, additional information (Private Group Booking Form) is needed, with the completed forms returned within 48 hrs. All forms should be forwarded to Donald at info@explorehighland.com

    Please be aware as featured on the diary page, Donald is out coaching/guiding and not office based, so please apply with plenty of time to allow enquiries to be processed.

    PLEASE NOTE: Explore Highland does NOT hire out solo or tandem sea kayaks or equipment.