Where to Kayak on a Lake: the 15 Best Trips Worldwide

Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour - Paddling Mendenhall Lake toward the ice

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,269 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $251Our pick

Paddle Mendenhall Lake to glacier views near Juneau with guides, gear, wildlife chances, hot drinks, and round-trip cruise dock transport.

“This glacier canoe tour was everything Alaska should be: wild, stunning, and absolutely unforgettable. Luke led our group with the perfect balance of humor, knowledge, and calm confidence. Every stroke brought a new perspective: glassy water, towering ice, and that surreal feeling of being somewhere few ever truly experience. Luke made the miles feel easy with his stories, love of his work environment, expertise, and his insider insight made the glacier come alive. Huge shoutout to his mom, Tess - clearly where he gets his warmth and storytelling charm. The gear was top-notch, Luke was well organized and upbeat, and the experience beyond anything we expected. If you’re debating it…”

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Rome: Popes’ Lake, Kayak Tour with Swimming & Roman Pizza

2.Popes’ Lake, Kayak Tour with Swimming & Roman Pizza

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 802 reviews · 3 hours · from $47

Kayak Lake Albano from Rome, swim at a secluded beach, hear local history, and enjoy Roman pizza for $47 with transport included.

“100% the best activity we did when it Rome. It was such a lovely way to end our trip and escape the busyness of the city. We had great guides - Enrico and both Andrea’s, they were brilliant! I would definitely do this activity again and would highly recommend for anyone visiting Rome. Thank you Andrea (x2) and Enrico!”

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Castel Gandolfo Lake Kayak and Swim Tour

3.Castel Gandolfo Lake Kayak and Swim Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 661 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $51

Paddle scenic Lake Albano near Rome, swim in clear water, enjoy pizza, and learn local history on a friendly three-hour kayak tour.

“Wow! This was a wonderful day! The guides, equipment, gorgeous lake, swimming, pizza and transportation were perfect!”

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Lake Como Kayak Tour from Bellagio

4.Lake Como Kayak Tour from Bellagio

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 593 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $103

Paddle around Bellagio on a small-group Lake Como kayak tour with Alpine views, local stories, quiet shores, and practical tips for a wet adventure.

“This tour was great! Fun and easy way to see the lake, and Michele was very knowledgeable and helpful.”

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Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz

5.Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 566 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $167

Kayak Lake Brienz from Bönigen near Interlaken, with turquoise water, mountain views, Ringgenberg Castle, photos, and a small group.

“I enjoyed this tour a lot! Great for first time kayakers as well! Ben thoroughly explains how to paddle properly and safely. The views were also amazing!!!”

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Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

6.Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 493 reviews · from $93

Paddle Lake Karapiro at dusk, then drift through the Pokaiwhenua Stream beneath thousands of glowworms and stars.

“To see the glowworms, I tried the Waitomo tour, with the caves. I much preferred seeing them through this kayak tour. We go up the river before nightfall, on the way, we meet wild geese and the guide tells us a little about the history of the Read more”

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Page/Lake Powell: Guided Kayak & Water Antelope Canyon Tour

7.Page/Lake Powell: Guided Kayak & Water Antelope Canyon Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 477 reviews · 4 hours · from $111

Paddle Lake Powell to Water Antelope Canyon on a guided four-hour kayak tour with red-rock views, canyon hiking, and helpful local insight.

“The tour with Rich was excellent. It was my first time kayaking, and he was very attentive, ensuring everything went smoothly. Regarding the tour itself, be mindful that you will kayak for almost two hours total since it's a round trip, and the paddle back under the midday sun can be exhausting. Even so, it is a great and worthwhile experience!”

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Winter Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz

8.Winter Kayak Tour of the Turquoise Lake Brienz

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 439 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $203

Paddle winter Lake Brienz near Interlaken in a warm dry suit, with mountain views, expert guidance, photos, and small-group calm.

“Karel toured us around Lake Brienz; we had a great time with beautiful views & good conversation. Would recommend!”

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Kayaking 2 Hr Canyon & Cliffside on Saguaro Lake

9.Kayaking 2 Hr Canyon & Cliffside on Saguaro Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 410 reviews · from $45

Review of Saguaro Lake’s 2-hour self-guided kayak trip, with desert cliffs, lake views, safety training, pricing, logistics, and practical tips.

“The sceneries are so beautiful. Didn’t believe that’s in real life!!! The service was also pretty good!!!!”

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Antelope Canyon Lake Powell: Guided Kayaking & Hike Tour

10.Guided Kayaking & Hike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 369 reviews · 4 hours · from $119

Kayak, hike, and swim through Lake Powell’s Antelope Canyon on a four-hour guided tour with practical tips on price, fitness, gear, and timing.

“Ben was a great guide to bring us safely to Antelope Canyon and back! The paddling against the wind was quite hard, but I managed (solo kayak!) and had a lot of fun.”

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Krabi: Klong Root (Crystal lake) Kayaking tour

11.Klong Root (Crystal lake) Kayaking tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 308 reviews · 2h 30m · from $27Cheapest

Kayak Krabi’s clear Klong Root waters, swim with fish, visit a pineapple farm, and enjoy a family-friendly eco tour for $27.

“It was a fun kayaking session. The mangrooves were beautiful and the water indeed was crystal clear. There was an hour stop at the spring water as well for a quick swim.”

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Kayak Day Paddle on Yellowstone Lake

12.Kayak Day Paddle on Yellowstone Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 277 reviews · 5 hours (approx.)

Paddle Yellowstone Lake to West Thumb geysers, enjoy a beach picnic, and learn about the park with a small expert-led kayak group.

“The guide was great and very knowledgeable about the area, the water was beautiful, and all in all it was a wonderful way to spend the day enjoying the beauty that God created. Thinking about a longer trip.”

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Kayak Antelope Canyon and hike, at Lake Powell

13.Kayak Antelope Canyon and hike, at Lake Powell

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 275 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $119

Paddle Lake Powell into Antelope Canyon on this scenic 4-hour kayak and hike from Page, with practical tips on timing, fitness, gear, and value.

“I would never recommend this company to anyone! This guy canceled the tour because he didn’t have enough people booking the trip! I didn’t know it was canceled until an hour before the tour while I was waiting at the boat launch! I spent the entire morning from 7am-9:30 am calling both phone numbers! No answer on either phone! Finally I texted him to let him know I was waiting at the boat launch and that was when he text back stating he canceled because not enough people confirmed the booking! On the cancellation email it stated he canceled because of bad weather! Sorry to say the sun was out…”

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Interlaken: Small-Group Winter Kayak Tour on Lake Brienz

14.Small-Group Winter Kayak Tour on Lake Brienz

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 249 reviews · 3 hours · from $180

Review of Interlaken’s winter kayak tour on Lake Brienz, with drysuit details, costs, transport tips, scenery, safety, and honest advice.

“This was an incredible experience! Everything was so beautiful and the guide, Andre, was super great. Highly recommend! Now we have a bunch of amazing photos to remember our unique adventure.”

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Double-Seat Kayak Rental at Sete Cidades Lake

15.Double-Seat Kayak Rental at Sete Cidades Lake

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 223 reviews · 1 hour

Paddle Sete Cidades’ Blue Lake in a double kayak for one hour, with volcanic scenery, easy logistics, and excellent value for couples and families.

“Luis and Alessandro were the best! We had so much fun! We had an 11 year old daughter and she did great. Great adventure for families! We saw so many beautiful fish and the kayaking was my daughter’s favorite part!”

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