MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Spring destination where I'll find a intro type holiday that isn't Scotland.
GF wants somewhere warm, 1 week, prefer to avoid to much flying time. Thinking Greece/Croatia. If anyone's had any good experience with outfits somewhere suitable feel free to tell all.
*life was cheaper as a moderate beer head.
If you want a weekend taster then try Cuckmere Haven in East Sussex, gentle kayak out the estuary into the sea next to the Seven Sisters. You can also ride in Friston Forest next door, perfect weekend.
[url= http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/sport/clubs/watersports/sevensisters/default.htm ]http://www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/sport/clubs/watersports/sevensisters/default.htm[/url]
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Why avoid Scotland? There is some fantastic sea kayaking on the west coast.
Thanks, I'll travelling from Dundee to East Sussex so that's a fair old trek. If I'm sacrificing a day for travelling I'd be inclined to fly from Edinburgh. And that opens up the Med.
Why avoid Scotland? There is some fantastic sea kayaking on the west coast.
Personally, I wouldn't. But I've the girlfriend to get on board. And she wants somewhere warmer.
that isn't Scotland.
GF wants somewhere warm
😆
For the OP, I've not kayaked in Croatia but have island hopped on a yacht. From what I remember, the coastline is stunning and weather lovely. Interesting country and certainly something a bit "different" from the usual European destinations.
I've only sea-kayaked in the UK so don't really know anything more relevant to your OP.
South West Ireland is a must, but probably won't meet your climate criteria.
South West Ireland is already vetoed. Sadly.
Definitely not worth travelling that distance.I'll travelling from Dundee to East Sussex
Corsica or Sardinia. Or if you're feeling flush the gulf of California
feeling flush
Not anymore, no 🙂
Not actually been there but The Lemon House in Sardinia has been recommended to me before. Gets rave reviews for kayaking as well as cycling (road and MTB) and climbing.
http://www.peteranne.it is the website.
When we were in Dubrovnik a fews years ago, there were loads of outfits doing day / half day trips on sit-on-tops: paddle round to a bay, get out, have a picnic they made etc, snorkelling, paddle round an island then back in etc. Wouldn't call it a course as such, they just stuck us on a double sit-on-top with lifejackets and that was more or less it and off we went in the group.
We did see some other people that looked like they were on a mini-tour nearby, don't know the name of the outfit I'm afraid.
Are you a beginner to kayaking or just sea-kayaking? I know the BCU didn't used to approve of the concept of "beginners sea kayaking" on the basis that it's more risk than (flat) river kayaking, and that you needed to get basic skills in a safe environment first. I would be a little cautious of any outfit that takes complete beginners out onto the sea, especially if they use enclosed kayaks due to the risk of capsize/rescue problems.
If you think you might like more of an multi-activity holiday, we took the ferry across to the island of Mljet which is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen, and I think you can hire kayaks for the massive lake in the middle of it as well as hire mountain bikes as well.
Kefalonia is a good option. I've been with [url= http://www.seakayakingkefalonia-greece.com/ ]Sea Kayaking Kefalonia[/url].
Very good, very professional, very competent. And I'm a BCU 3* Paddler, and formerly a Trainee Instructor, so have an idea what I'm talking about...
The Stockholm arhipelago is great but would need to be at height of summer, loads of unihabited islands to camp on and very calm waters.
http://seakayakgreece.com/ on the island of Milos.
In a 1 week trip we did the trip roound the island.
great weaterh. Great water. Great secluded beaches for camping.Great cliff jumping. great guides. Great clients. Great kit etc. etc.
Tell Rod that Dan and Béné the crazy french girl sent you.
Not actually been there but The Lemon House in Sardinia has been recommended to me before. Gets rave reviews for kayaking as well as cycling (road and MTB) and climbing.http://www.peteranne.it is the website.
Have actually been there, rave reviews totally deserved and Peter and Annie know a local sea kayak instructor really well. We've been on several trips with them, utterly recommended. Amazing area as well with so much to do.
Edit: instructor also owns a vineyard 😉
We went to Croatia and it was probably suitable for beginners although I am/was fairly experienced (couple of month long expeditions, regular grade 4 white water, slalom, polo, river race, playboating, surfing etc.)
Water was calm and warm so is ideal to learn. Can't find the company but they were based on the islands by Dubrovnik. It can be quite physical if you've not done it before so don't sign up for 9hours per day. Short trips with something else to do in the location may be better.
Göteborg (Gothenburg) It's utterly beautiful here and fantastic sea kayaking. Not warm until July though...
Might not be as warm as the Adriatic but the weather's as good as you'll get on these shores:
[url= http://isleofwightadventureactivities.co.uk/ ]Isle of Wight Adventure Activities[/url]
I did a couple of introductory courses with them and thought they were great.
Some spectacular kayaking to be had round the Island's coastline.
Seakayakingcornwall.com are highly regarded. Weather usually much nicer than Scotland and loads of stunning scenery.
Have done some fantastic sea kayaking around Cornwall but I can see it might be easier to get to the Med. Best I have done was in Thailand. Warm water and sunny with stunning scenery. Might be a bit far.
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This was sea kayaking on the east coast of Sardinia on Tuesday with Francesco of Cardedu Kayak http://www.cardedu-kayak.com/eng/ as referred to above. cheers Peter
Anglesey, it's the riviera of North Wales!
😉
That Cardedu looks just the job. Hmmm
Not sure about the Riviera of Wales. But I'm sure it's lovely.
+1 for Cardedu Kayak in Sardinia. Did a 6 hour expedition up the coast with them late last summer.
In a word: stunning.
Bucklers Hard in Hampshire - can't remember the company (New Forest Adventures??) but they run intros and other courses stepping it up a bit. Easy access to try before you book a week somewhere hot.
Bucklers Hard in Hampshire can't remember the company
Liquid Logistics (think they are associated with NF Adventures)
I did one of their days out in the purbecks which was a nice easy intro. Just need to convince myself I would use a kayak if I bought one now!
Www.croyak.com not trad sea kayaking, but very beginner friendly and less work in the heat. Good alternative options if you get fed up on the water as well.
If you have to go abroad then Croatia or Sardinia would be my shout but the UK really does have about the best sea kayaking in the world. The Scottish west coast is an outstanding location but Pembrokeshire, Devon & Cornwall and Anglesey are comparable to anywhere world wide.
