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Sea Kayaking Hot Spots
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| By
Michelle Fama
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| Prince William Sound |
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 | Alaska |
Glaciers along Prince William Sound
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The unique character of Prince William Sound in Alaska, with its abundant wildlife, natural wonder and position along the edge of the North Pacific's ring of fire,' rank this among the key sea kayaking destinations. Hemmed in by the Chugach and Kenai mountains and their massive ice fields, this 10,000-square-mile area is conveniently close to Anchorage, making it an accessible destination. Whales, eagles, bears, and salmon are among the diverse wildlife that inhabit the area, and its thousands of miles of shoreline provide a plethora of bays, passages, islands and inlets to discover. Prince William Sound is protected by two large islands on its southern perimeter, buffering the effect of the Gulf of Alaska. Because of this sheltering, it is a good place for novice kayakers. Some days the water is as flat as glass and the paddling is wonderfully easy.
| Baja |
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| Mexico |
Sea kayaking in Baja, Mexico offers paddlers a unique opportunity to explore two contrastings environments: the unique flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert and the marine environment of the Sea of Cortez. The warm-water, warm-weather paddling is ideal; some fans of this kayaking destination would go so far as to say that it is the premier choice. The Sea of Cortez is one of the richest marine habitats in the world, and the transluscent waters offer exceptional viewing of dolphins, sea lions and quite possibly blue whales as they mate and calve each winter. Navigate under sheer volcanic cliffs or stop for hikes up El Embudo. This is an optimum destination for people who enjoy snorkeling, hiking, fishing, beachcombing and nature photography.
| Glacier Bay |
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| Alaska |
Massive glaciers along
Glacier Bay |
Some call Glacier Bay primal. From the spruce-scented air to the wildlife, to the obvious momentum of glaciation and plant succession, Glacier Bay is a powerful, humbling thrill for both novices and pro kayakers alike. The 3.28-million-acre national park only 60 miles northwest of Juneau offers motorless seclusion in a labyrinth of channels. Along the vastness of the bay and below the snow-capped peaks that breath down over the glacial highway are alpine meadows that offer excellent hiking and camping spots.
| San Juan Islands |
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| Washington |
There are many features that set the San Juan Islands apart from other top paddling destinations: The close proximity of the islands offers kayakers"hands on" exploration while diversions from the water let you explore what's on shore. Also, there's a good chance of seeing pods of Orca whales, and the islands offer relatively easy access to other fascinating marine mammals like harbor seals, whales, porpoise and river otter. Located in the rain shadow of the Olympic Mountains, the islands receive half as much precipitation of Seattle, making them a relatively warm and dry paddling destination.
The charm of the islands lies in their quiet isolation and small villages along the way.
| Queen Charlotte Islands |
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| Canada |
Often referred to as the 'Canadian Galapagos,' you'll get a dose of cultural and natural history in the Queen Charlotte Islands, or Haida Gwaii, as the ancient and current inhabitants call it. Located about 80 miles from the west coast of British Columbia, the Islands are a spectacular marine and mountain wilderness with an extraordinary natural heritage. The area teems with wildlife: thousands of seabirds, eagles, seals, sea lions reside there, and the more fortunate visitors might see dolphins and whales. Old-growth forests draped in moss
contrast with the miniature bonsai bogs found along the San Cristoval Range. Remnants of the cultural history of the Haida people are in tact, especially their collections of carved totem poles. The kayaker will certainly have a palate of experiences to taste and enjoy.
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We've given you eight. Do you have a favorite kayaking spot that we did not include? Tell us about it in
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