USA TODAY 10Best
Manhattan Kayak Company voted Best Kayaking Tour Company
Best Kayaking Tour (2022)
Whether it's in the mangrove forests of Florida or the glacial bays of Alaska, kayaking combines aerobic fitness with the chance to immerse yourself in nature.
Photo courtesy of Gary Luhm Photography
No. 10: Sea Kayak Adventures
Sea Kayak Adventures, based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, provides sea kayaking adventures across the globe. Their kayaking trips include familiar locations such as Baja, Mexico, and the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador, but also less famous locations throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean.
Photo courtesy of Brad Jordan
No. 9: Maine State Sea Kayak - Mount Desert Island, Maine
Maine State Sea Kayak seeks to introduce visitors to the “quiet side of Acadia” through guided kayaking tours. Keep an eye out for harbor seals, bald eagles, osprey, crabs, porpoises and sea stars as you paddle along the less-visited backside of Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Bradshaw
No. 8: Hello Nature Adventure Tours - Ucluelet, British Columbia, Canada
Located in British Columbia near the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Hello Nature Adventure Tours offers ocean kayaking for all levels of expertise – from beginner to experienced. Explore offshore islands and peaceful coves, low-impact wildlife watching tours, archaeological sites, and protected waters with highly experienced guides. Half-day, full-day, and multi-day trips are available for everything from watching whale migration to glamping to yoga retreats. Hello Nature is committed to protecting the coastal ecosystems through education and environmental stewardship.
Photo courtesy of Michelle Starr
No. 7: Glass Bottom Rentals - Boca Grande, FL
Glass Bottom Rentals provide clear kayak rentals and tours at Boca Grande, Florida. Paddlers can view amazing marine wildlife through the glass-like bottoms of their kayaks. Many guided tour options are available for all levels of paddlers - eco-tours, shelling tours, sunset LED night tours, and more.
Photo courtesy of maki_shmaki // Getty Images
No. 6: Morgan's Canoe & Outdoor Adventures - Oregonia, Ohio
Morgan's Canoe and Outdoor Adventure offers kayaking experiences in the eastern rivers of Ohio and Indiana in the US, as well as in other countries. Guests can experience the wonders of a Pacific rainforest at Morgan's newest location, a lodge near the ocean in Costa Rica.
Photo courtesy of Great Turtle Kayak Tours
No. 5: Great Turtle Kayak Tours - Mackinac Island, Mich.
Great Turtle Kayak Tours has been leading tours through the waterways of Mackinac Island for more than 20 years. Paddle at sunrise to Arch Rock and the Rock Maze, watch the sunset from Devil’s Kitchen near the Grand Hotel, circumnavigate the island or enjoy a challenging trip across the Straits of Mackinac to Round Island in Hiawatha National Forest.
Photo courtesy of Tony Catalano
No. 4: Get Up And Go Kayaking - Multiple Locations in Florida
Get Up And Go Kayaking uses clear kayaks that allow guests to soak up the scenery around them, as well as under them. Choose from tours in the Florida Keys, Winter Park, Tampa, Rainbow Springs, Crystal River, Vero Beach, Jupiter or Rock Springs.
Photo courtesy of Amelia Island Kayak Excursions
No. 3: Amelia Island Kayak Excursions - Fernandina Beach, Florida
Cumberland Island, the Suwannee River, and the Okefenokee Swamp are a few places you can adventure off the beaten path in your kayak tours with Amelia Island Kayak Excursions. This company offers an exclusive experience exploring the ecosystems of the northern coastlines of Florida, with guided tours for every level of kayak expertise. Outdoor Travel Expert Lauren Gay tells us, “This is a great family-owned business. It’s not just a kayak tour, but they also give you a lot of history on tour about the area.” Two-, three-, and five-hour trips are available, and overnight excursions are also offered.
Photo courtesy of Ryan Young - Rising Tide Explorers
No. 2: Rising Tide Explorers - Naples, Florida
Certified local biologists lead every tour of Naples and Marco Island with Rising Tide Explorers. Paddle through mangrove tunnels and past mudflats in search of Southwest Florida wildlife, or glide through the waters of Rookery Bay Reserve for some spectacular birdwatching.
Photo courtesy of @manhattankayak
No. 1: Manhattan Kayak Co. - New York, New York
Think downtown New York City isn’t the place to learn to kayak? Think again! Travel Expert Kyle McCarthy remarks, “It’s a great way to see the city!” Take the four-lesson Basics series (no cost for kayaks, paddles and life jackets for beginners) and then become a member and join the longer, guided intermediate trips on the Hudson River. Paddle to hidden beaches or do laps in the cove and then relax on the waterfront patio with friends.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning kayaking tour companies!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Lauren Gay
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of the Read More
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of the Outdoorsy Diva Blog, host/producer of the Outdoorsy Diva Podcast, published photographer, speaker and CEO of Lauren R. Gay Consulting where she offers professional consulting services for blogs and podcasts, courses, as well as curated group adventure trips. She is a travel writer and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure and embracing nature as therapy. Lauren is also a dedicated long time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel.
Lauren Gay
Lauren Gay is the creator of Misadventures of the Outdoorsy Diva Blog, host/producer of the Outdoorsy Diva Podcast, published photographer, speaker and CEO of Lauren R. Gay Consulting where she offers professional consulting services for blogs and podcasts, courses, as well as curated group adventure trips. She is a travel writer and social media influencer who is passionate about inspiring and empowering black women to step out of their comfort zones for new experiences in travel and adventure and embracing nature as therapy. Lauren is also a dedicated long time advocate for racial diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and adventure travel.
Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival... Read More
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival Guide (being released May 25, 2021) and the founder of 2TravelDads, the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families also) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. 2TravelDads blazes the way for other two-dad and two-mom families to travel to previously overlooked destinations or places we as gay people would normally avoid. We share the struggles we've faced and the surprising gems and welcomes we've had along the way. Traveling as a family is one thing, traveling as an LGBT family is completely something else.
Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival Guide (being released May 25, 2021) and the founder of 2TravelDads, the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families also) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. 2TravelDads blazes the way for other two-dad and two-mom families to travel to previously overlooked destinations or places we as gay people would normally avoid. We share the struggles we've faced and the surprising gems and welcomes we've had along the way. Traveling as a family is one thing, traveling as an LGBT family is completely something else.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.