USA · CANOES & KAYAKS

The 15 Best Kayak & Canoe Trips in the USA

49 tours  ·  from $47 a head

Mangrove tunnels in Florida, sea caves on the Pacific coast and a bioluminescent lagoon after dark. The 15 below compare the paddles on price, distance and how much experience they really want you to have.

Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area - Looking for dolphins, pelicans, and spoonbills
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in St Petersburg

Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area

1.Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,800 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79Our pick

Paddle a tandem clear kayak from Tierra Verde to Shell Key Preserve with a guide such as Alessia, Jenna, Ben, or Chris. Expect calm shallows, mangroves, wildlife, a beach stop for shells, and photo breaks. The two-hour trip suits beginners and families, though wind can make the open-water sections hard work.

“Alessia was absolutely fantastic during our kayak tour! She was friendly, professional, and made the whole experience so much fun. She shared interesting facts along the way, kept the group safe, and made sure everyone was having a great time. You can tell she loves what she does, it made the tour even more special. Highly recommend taking a tour with Alessia!”

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Half-Day Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Hotel Pickup - Getting fitted and setting off on calm water
Canoes & Kayaks, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Las Vegas

Half-Day Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Hotel Pickup

2.Half-Day Emerald Cave Kayak Tour with Optional Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,978 reviews · 5 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $99

Kayak four gentle miles on the Colorado River from Willow Beach to Emerald Cave, a grotto where sunlight turns the water green. Guides such as Michelle, Preston, Gabby, and Ryan lead small groups, share river and wildlife facts, take photos, and stop for snacks, swimming, and a short walk. Choose hotel pickup from Las Vegas or drive yourself.

“A fantastic way to get off The Strip while visiting Vegas! The Emerald Cave Tour with River Dogz was a 5-star experience from start to finish. Communication was excellent from booking through pickup, including clear instructions on what to bring and timely updates when our launch time changed due to weather. Everything was handled smoothly. Our guide, Michelle, was amazing—friendly, knowledgeable, and so easy to talk to. She shared great information about kayaking, Lake Mead, and the Emerald Cave, and even took fantastic photos of our group along the way. Water and snacks were provided, and there’s a marina store if you want extras. Highly recommend this tour if you’re…”

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Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Paddle with Optional Shuttle - Getting to Willow Beach From Las Vegas
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Las Vegas

Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Paddle with Optional Shuttle

3.Emerald Cave Kayak Tour: Scenic Paddle with Optional Shuttle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,858 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $89

Leave Las Vegas for a relaxed 5-mile paddle on the Colorado River. You’ll kayak from Willow Beach through Black Canyon, stop for a short viewpoint hike, and enter Emerald Cave when conditions allow. Guides such as Juston, Kwame, Robby, and Justin provide instruction, local stories, photos, snacks, and water. Choose a single or double kayak, with optional Mandalay Bay pickup.

“It’s definitely worth going once. This time of year is prob best as you have to wait to get into the small cove. During high usage time the wait could be quite long but at least you could swim in warmer weather. Our guide always quite knowledgeable and friendly. The cove itself is cool but as said- small. We had a good time”

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Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour - The swim platform and cool spring water
2-Hour Experiences, Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Orlando

Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour

4.Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,459 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Meet behind King’s Landing in Apopka for a small-group clear kayak tour through Rock Springs Run’s Emerald Cut. Guides such as Jacob, Dani, Megan, and David lead a calm upstream paddle beneath the trees, with chances to spot turtles, fish, birds, otters, deer, and small alligators. You can also swim or use the rope swing.

“Guide is very helpful and nice. Strongly recommend the activity. Prepare the sun proof and swimsuits”

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Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour - Choosing between a single and tandem kayak
Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Sarasota

Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour

5.Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,440 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Set out from 190 Taft Drive with Sea Life Kayak Adventures for about two hours on Little Sarasota Bay and through South Lido’s mangrove tunnels. Choose a single or tandem kayak, follow guides such as Ian, Kenny, or Dinko, and watch for manatees, dolphins, rays, crabs, jumping fish, and birds.

“Do it! We had a great time and our guide was very knowledgeable about the native plants and aquatic life.”

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Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip - Starting at Saguaro Lake Ranch
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Phoenix

Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip

6.Kayaking the Salt River Foxtail Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,395 reviews · from $57

Paddle a single sit-on-top kayak or paddleboard for about two hours from Saguaro Lake Ranch to Foxtail. Expect desert scenery, birds, possible wild horses, and a few swift sections. A group safety briefing is provided, but no guide accompanies you, so you should be comfortable managing your own boat.

“Easy experience for those who are unaccustom to a kayak, excellent views, great staff, worth visiting”

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Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour - Getting Comfortable in a Single or Double Kayak
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Key West

Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour

7.Key West Mangrove Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,205 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80

Kayak through the shallow mangrove creeks of Key West with guides such as Brett, Rachel, Heather, and Bethany. Expect a relaxed two-hour outing, easy instruction, wildlife sightings, and stories about Keys geology. Single and double kayaks are available, dogs are welcome, and groups are limited to 10.

“Excellent and informative tour with a fantastic guide who was incredibly knowledgable and energetic about the tour, made it a fantastic experience.”

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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours - November to March: the strongest season for manatee sightings
Canoes & Kayaks, Dolphin & Manatee Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

8.Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,830 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Choose a two-hour clear kayak tour from Kings Bay Park. From April 1 to November 14, paddle toward Three Sisters Springs and swim in its clear water. From November 15 to March 31, focus on manatees gathered in the warm springs. Guides such as Crosby, Dmitri, Yas, and Cami add local wildlife knowledge along the way.

“This experience was fun! My friend and I traveled off season but we did see some manatees! We saw a baby and mom manatee as well! It’s a pretty and scenic experience!”

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Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset - Sailing out through Key West Harbor
1-Day Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Half-Day, Snorkeling Tours in Key West, Snorkeling, Shark & Manta Ray Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Key West

Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset

9.Half-Day Trip from Key West with Kayaking, Snorkeling & Sunset

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,683 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Sail from 255 Front Street with a small crew such as Micah, Katie, or Bible, then snorkel above a coral reef and kayak through mangrove channels. You get gear, wetsuits in cooler months, fruit, snacks, beer, wine, and soft drinks. Choose the afternoon trip for a Key West sunset.

“Only disappointment was not seeing a lot of fish while snorkeling. But the rest was excellent. Crew was fun, helpful and scenery was gorgeous.”

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2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour - Starting at Shelter Cove Marina
2-Hour Experiences, Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Hilton Head Island

2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour

10.2-Hour Hilton Head Guided Kayak Nature Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,620 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $47Best value

Launch from Shelter Cove Marina for a gentle, two-hour paddle through Broad Creek’s salt marshes, tidal rivers, and creeks. Your guide leads a short safety lesson, then points out birds, dolphins, plants, and local history. Guides such as Wayne, Shannon, Paddy, and Miles are praised for making beginners feel safe and welcome.

“We had a great experience on our Friday morning (10am) kayak tour! Our guide, Madison, was very knowledgeable and ensured everyone on the trip could hear and see her. The roundtrip was leisurely and our two novice teenagers really enjoyed the single kayaks. We spotted a manatee swimming alongside our group! The boat staff were friendly and efficient getting us in and out of the water quickly for more time to float. Highly recommend booking this 2 hour tour!”

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Kauai: Secret Falls Kayak and Hike - Meeting at 180 Wailua Road in Kapaʻa
Canoes & Kayaks, Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours in Kauai

Kauai: Secret Falls Kayak and Hike

11.Secret Falls Kayak and Hike

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,403 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $125

You’ll paddle about 4 miles on the Wailua River, then hike 1.5 to 2 miles through muddy rainforest to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Cory, Kman, Kai, and Mana add local stories about plants, culture, and island life. Bring water, snacks, sturdy strapped footwear, and a towel.

“This was a great excursion! The kayaking was fun and beautiful!! The hike takes you through gorgeous jungle like paths. It can be very muddy and slick. Be sure to wear sturdy shoes! Our guide, Cory, did a wonderful job and made our trip a lot of fun!”

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Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide - Leaving the kayaks for the forest trail
Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, Hiking & Trekking, Tour Reviews, Tours in Kauai

Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide

12.Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,387 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $140

Paddle about four miles on the Wailua River, then hike nearly two miles through muddy, slippery jungle paths to Uluwehi Falls. Guides such as Zach, Brian, and Makayla provide instruction, safety help, local stories, and even hiking sticks. Expect a real workout, wet shoes, river crossings, and a memorable swim.

“Deep breath and relax. Hawaiian Brian will get you to the falls, explain lots on the way, and do so in such a chill way that the type A's in the group will be going a bit crazy. But... his chill attitude made it so we weren't in the middle of the crowd and we got to experience the waterfall almost empty of people.”

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Raccoon Island: Exploration on SUP/Kayak - Choosing between a kayak and a paddleboard
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours in Miami

Raccoon Island: Exploration on SUP/Kayak

13.Raccoon Island: Exploration on SUP/Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,289 reviews · 2h 30m · from $99

You kayak or paddleboard through Biscayne Bay and mangrove channels before taking a boat to Sandspur Island, known as Raccoon Island. Guides such as Tony, Alejandra, Francis, Sean, and Ashley help beginners, explain the wildlife, and take photos. Expect raccoons, possible rays or dolphins, swimming time, fresh fruit, and a fair amount of sun and mosquitoes.

“This experience was absolutely amazing! The boat ride was smooth and enjoyable, and switching to the kayak to reach Raccoon Island made the whole adventure even more special. Everything was well organized and felt safe from start to finish. Definitely worth it”

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Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour - Paddling toward Mendenhall Glacier
Canoes & Kayaks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Juneau

Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour

14.Mendenhall Glacier Lake Canoe Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,269 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $250

You paddle a stable canoe across quiet Mendenhall Lake toward Mendenhall Glacier, with a wilderness guide such as Luke, Mason, Ben, or Issy leading the way. The four-hour outing includes cruise-dock transport, rain gear, boots, gloves, snacks, and a hot drink. Expect about two hours on the water, not a hike, and a real upper-body workout.

“We had a wonderful time! Highly recommend this tour. Issy was our guide, and she was great! We got a great workout in and lucked out with the weather. Such beautiful views! It was a short trip from the cruise doc, too!”

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Mangroves and Manatees - Guided Kayak Eco Tour - Wildlife spotting without false promises
Canoes & Kayaks, Dolphin & Manatee Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Key Largo

Mangroves and Manatees – Guided Kayak Eco Tour

15.Mangroves and Manatees – Guided Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,222 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69

Paddle! The Florida Keys leads a relaxed two-hour kayak trip through Tavernier Creek for beginners, families, and mixed-age groups. Choose a single or double kayak, learn on land, then get coaching on the water. Guides such as Jack, Tony, Sarah, Keith, and Britney share facts about the mangroves and help you look for manatees and other wildlife.

“Wonderful tour! Britney was our guide and she was very knowledgeable and friendly. She guided us to see all kinds of wildlife including manatees.”

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