To sea kayak is to be part of a small group of people, like minded in their choice, to get closer to the cold water, and to pilot your own vessel. Moving away from the ship, in your own small craft, the noises of engines and people recede behind. There is nothing but the crackling of the glacial ice, the breath of whales, and the cry of sea birds in the cold air. 

Yet comparing the different companies and the many varieties of offerings that get called kayaking can be overwhelming. The choices you need to make, between browsing websites and your first moment afloat in the ocean, can seem impossible to navigate. So, let’s take a moment and learn how to decipher the language of paddling, what options you have, what to bring, and how to best prepare for your expedition.

This is not as simple as it sounds as the name sea kayak has come to cover a large spectrum of vessels, the type of which can determine the kind of experience you are likely to have. Indeed, having a little information on these vessels can help predict what kind of experience a company has planned. 

Sit-on top kayaks. These kayaks are open top vessels, with no enclosed deck. They are either inflatable or plastic, but regardless they are very stable and beginner friendly.  They are also easy to get in and out of for those with less mobility. They are, however, quite slow and more prone to being affected by the wind and weather conditions. These kayaks will mostly be double person vessels, and it’s simple for solo travellers to buddy up for a day with another like-minded person, or perhaps even paddle their own single vessel. 

Enclosed sea kayaks: These boats are true sea kayaks. For this you’ll be wearing a spray skirt, a neoprene bib that covers the cockpit in which you sit. This keeps warm air in, and cold water out. It also makes your vessel far more sea-worthy in choppy waters. These kayaks are longer and thinner, making them faster and more manoeuvrable in all kinds of conditions.  However, it does make them a little less stable, and it takes a little more care and concentration to begin to enjoy yourself. They are also a little trickier to get in and out of, and require a slightly higher level of mobility and flexibility to be comfortable. Both types of kayaks come in single and double orientations, with most companies providing double vessels as their preferred style and reserving single kayaks for the guides or for more experienced guests. 

Sea kayaking activities also come in two general categories. These I tend to group into ‘kayaking experience’ and ‘multi-day programmes’.  In both categories, it’s important to find out whether you need to sign up in advance of your trip, or whether you can join once on board.  

Kayaking experiences:  In this context you have chosen to paddle only once or twice on your expedition. On your given day, your group gathers to receive your safety briefing and equipment, before heading out. 

Your guides will be choosing sheltered and calm locations and planned distances that allow for the appreciation of the place and wildlife rather than the covering of miles. 

The kayaks that these programmes tend to use are more stable, slightly slower vessels, and often sit on top kayaks, rather than enclosed sea kayaks. Your level of support is quite high, as befitting a group of mostly beginners, and your guides will keep a close eye on your movements. 

Depending on the companies offering, you can expect to paddle once or maybe twice within your expedition. 

‘Experience’ activities are wonderful for allowing people who aren’t sure about kayaking to try a new sport, and to enjoy a variety of different ways to engage with the landscape. The more stable vessels, and the close support of the guides, allows people of all abilities to get involved. 

Multi-day kayaking programmes: this programme style has a set capacity of participants who have most likely signed up well in advance of their voyage. These participants are part of the kayak team and will attempt to paddle every day that the guides can offer the activity.  In this context you will be paddling true sea kayaks, with an enclosed deck and spray deck. These kayaks will be mostly double kayaks as they provide stability without compromising on speed and the range they can cover. However, many companies also offer single kayaks to more experienced paddlers. If you are a dedicated sea kayaker this can be a way of satisfying your own personal paddling aspirations whilst still being part of a group environment. 

The multi-day nature of these programmes means that the safety briefing, equipment issue, and logistics of kayaking will all take place on day one. Each successive day gets easier as you get used to the boats, equipment, and place. You’ll learn from your guides how to negotiate unique kayaking challenges such as brash ice, wildlife encounters, and stronger winds. By the final day you and the group will be able to explore further and with greater freedom than you could imagine on day one. 

On this programme you can opt in or out of each day’s plan. Perhaps choosing not to kayak that morning in favour of a long hike up a mountain. Your guides will always attempt to get you to shore if there is an ‘unmissable’ attraction there. E.g. a historic monument or particularly special wildlife attraction, but the choice whether to paddle or not is something you’ll have to make each day. 

The ocean is a huge amphitheatre in which weather and activity dramas can be played out on a very large stage. Your guides will be making careful and often conservative decisions about the weather, your ability, and the craft you are paddling. Most companies will deploy a safety water-craft waiting out of hearing distance, but ready to move in quickly if weather or wildlife circumstances change. 

The presence of some factors may mean kayaking cannot be offered that day as companies will have very clear operational guidelines. These are often mandated by local regulatory bodies e.g., no beginning kayak operations if walrus are in the water. 

In all of these examples paddling as a group, and respecting your guides’ instructions will get you through this remarkable and exposed landscape with a smile on your face.

The two styles of programme are not only different in what you can expect to get out of it. They also differ in what a company may expect of your kayaking experience and physical ability. Regardless of the programme style or vessel the majority of experiences will be launching from a zodiac, or a custom inflatable launching platform, and will have a minimum level of physical mobility as a requirement. 

‘Experience’ style programmes, i.e. single session activities, anticipate very little experience on behalf of the participants. However, any prior experience you have will decrease the amount of time you are learning how to paddle and increase the amount of time you are soaking up the experience. A premium if those three hours are the only time you expect to paddle on a trip. Kayak companies all over the world offer inexpensive half or full day training packages that will greatly enhance your experience whilst on expedition. 

Mobility and fitness demands will also be lower in an activity like this, but there will still be a physical requirement.  

Simple self-tests like:

• Can I easily and without difficulty seat myself down on the ground and, without assistance, stand up again? 
• Can I sit on the floor for up to 30 minutes without substantial back support? 
• Can I engage in an active space for up to two hours e.g. easy but constant walking without breaks on flat ground?

Saying yes, or working towards being able to say yes, to these questions will guarantee that this is a fun experience rather than a painful one. 

Multi-day Kayak programmes will have a slightly higher experience and physical competency requirement. For activities like these I’d highly recommend beginners go and do a few introductory classes at their local kayak school. These are inexpensive and are a fantastic investment in your enjoyment of the expedition. They also will give you a great sense of whether this is the right choice for you. Technical competencies such as being able to re-right your own kayak, the ‘kayak roll’, are not usually expected in this style of programme unless aimed at very advanced paddlers. 

If you are an experienced kayaker, who has either paddled sea kayaks a great deal in the past, paddles regularly, or is a kayaker of a different discipline, then this is also the option for you. Your experience will transfer readily to guided sea kayaking. It’s important to remember though that this will be a guided group activity, perhaps with some newer paddlers, and to adjust your expectations as to how much you can charge at high speed toward the horizon. Landscapes such as the polar world are full of objective and new dangers that you may never have imagined. So, follow your guides’ advice and soak up the experience. Chatting to your guides and letting them know what you would like to do can help in this regard. The more they know about your skills and hopes, the more they can customise each day to the specific group you are part of. This is ultimately the great advantage of the multi-day programmes. 

Fitness and mobility requirements for this kind of group are of course slightly higher than for single session offerings. You will need to be comfortable sitting in a kayak for long periods of time, and being involved in physical activity for that whole period of time. If in doubt, go do a course and see if this is still the activity for you. 

The quality of equipment companies are providing seems to get better every year. This is a great thing as being comfortable, warm, and safe sets you up for the next step of enjoying your experience. Although the gear provided may vary a little in brands and style the kayak specific essentials should be included. Here is a simple list of what you can expect almost all companies to provide. 

Provided equipment: 

• Kayak
• Paddle
• Personal Flotation Device (the flotation vest all are required to wear) 
• Kayak booties (in tropical environments you may be required to bring your own) 
• Small dry bag. 
• Dry-suits: For cold environments. If you are particularly tall or small, it is well worth making sure the company has a size that will fit you, and enough in stock on board so you aren’t left…short. 
• Some experience programmes use dry-suits with neoprene necks which are far more comfortable, but many multi-day kayak programmes use more conventional dry-suits with latex neck seals. If you have a latex intolerance, it’s worth communicating this in advance. These can be a little uncomfortably tight and take a little getting used to. 
• Pogies: Pogies are neoprene mitts that fit onto your paddle. Essentially little garages, that you can slide your hands into whilst paddling. They are fleece lined inside and are the best choice for truly cold-water hand warmth. Many people ask about neoprene gloves however neoprene works by trapping water which the body then heats up. In polar environments this water is far too cold for you to heat up, hence why no one uses wetsuits either. Some people choose to wear light gloves under the pogies and this is one solution, but wild as it sounds, I prefer to go barehanded and trust the magic of pogies. 

For tropical conditions:

• Clothing you’re happy to swim in. 
• Long sleeved sun-protecting clothing. E.g. U.V. protective surf shirts, or hooded hiking shirts. 
• Hats with good all round sun protection, either with a flap around the neck, or a round brim that isn’t too large for windy conditions. 
• Shorts or light trousers. I recommend longer shorts or light trousers as many open kayaks leave you exposed to the sun. 
• A light weight wind/water resistant jacket. To keep that surprisingly chill wind from cooling you down after a long snorkel. This layer may be provided by the operator so worth confirming before you go adding to your pack list. 

For cold water paddling:

In truly cold waters, we dress in multiple layers and we do dress quite warm. Its far easier to cool down than it is to warm up. However, layering correctly is not quite as off-putting as you might think. Below is a simple list of clothing that you will need. 

Polar kayak clothing: 

• Wool Socks
• Thermal base layers for your legs and torso. These are either merino wool or synthetic thermals available from your local outdoor store
• Light fleece trousers for your legs
• Light fleece sweater for your torso
• A second light fleece sweater, or light synthetic insulated jacket or vest. 
• A neck gator or ‘buff’ to keep warmth around your neck
• Two warm hats (one for paddling in, one just in case you get a little wet) 
• Warm gloves (for after paddling or whilst on shore) 
• Sun Hat
• Sunglasses (with lanyard)
• Sunscreen

Optional extras:

• A lightweight waterproof camera, or a waterproof case for your mobile phone
• A small drybag for extra layers (should the company not provide one)

These will vary from company to company, so it is worth understanding if this programme is included in your general expedition costs, or if it is an extra. For the single-day or experience programmes the cost will be measurable cheaper than for those of multi-day offerings. Anything from 2-300 USD for a day programme and up to 1500 USD or more for a multi-day sea kayak programme, can be expected. It’s worth finding out exactly how much the programme costs, whether all basic equipment needs are met, and how much they expect to paddle on a given voyage. 

Having read this guide, you’re now ready to start planning your sea kayak adventure. You can start browsing different companies’ offerings, and looking with an educated eye.

Asking the important questions: 

• Do I need to sign up in advance? 
• Do I have the physical capability for this activity? 
• Do I want to paddle every day or just once? 
• What additional clothing and equipment will I have to bring? 

Armed with this information you can make informed decisions that will help you prepare for the incredible experience that is sea kayaking on an expedition cruise. Have fun and I hope to see you out there.