Wherever you go sea kayaking in South Africa, this beautiful country promises fantastic kayaking whilst exploring its beautiful terrains and marine life.
With our fantastically long and varied coastline, it's not surprising there are lots of great sea kayaking trips. In early June, southern right whales leave their Antarctic feeding ground to frolic in the (relatively) warm waters of the Cape coast. Here they mate, calve and generally hang out, occasionally flopping a tail up, or sticking their heads out of the water to check out the humans.
Western Cape
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful, challenging and inexpensive places on earth for sea kayaking, where you stand a good chance of seeing dolphins, Cape fur seals, African penguins and perhaps even a couple of whales. With perfect weather day after day during the season, Cape Town is one of the best places you can pick to either learn the sport or refine your skills.
For the beginner, a good place to start will be Hout Bay, a secluded, beautiful bay surrounded by mountains, Here you can explore Seal Island where you are guaranteed to be visited by seals and the occasional playful dolphin, and perhaps some whales too. Or explore the Sentinel, legendary in the surf world for waves up to twenty feet high at times.
The more experienced kayaker can paddle along the Atlantic Seaboard - this route covers Cape Town's prime coastal areas, from Sea Point to the popular beaches of Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno, and to the pristine shores of Sandy Bay.
The Cape of Good Hope route around the Cape Point offers even the very experienced kayaker a challenge, but offers views of sea birds, steep cliffs and the famous Cape Lighthouse as well. This is where the two oceans meet.
There is a sea kayaking trip along the Dolphin Trail which provides up to 5 days of South African sea kayaking fun, from visiting seal colonies, to bird watching, to excursions through the playgrounds of schools of dolphins. This is an exquisite trail, one you will never forget.
On the West Coast, there are some great sea kayaking venues, with operators, that offer especially beautiful views of South Africa's awesome bird life. These are Langebaan, Saldanha Bay and the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve near the small fishing village of Paternoster, a great place to also explore some rock gardens.
Eastern Cape
Tsitsikamma and Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route has 200km of indigenous forests and a dazzling network of lakes, estuaries and lagoons. Sea kayaking enables you to explore these beautiful terrains at your own pace and leisure.
You are guaranteed to see southern right whales in season, and the sea kayaking operators here have to work hard at staying the prescribed 300m from them because they're such curious animals. You're sure to spot dolphins and seals as well!
Kwazulu Natal
Durban offers day trips where you can sea kayak at uShaka Island Marine Park. Initiated by a group of ocean enthusiasts with a dream of opening up the ocean to people of all ages, races and backgrounds, uShaka Kayak Tour is a low-intensity activity, offering an exciting and educational guided tour just north of the Durban harbour.
Launch in front of uShaka Marine World and paddle leisurely to the magnificent Vetjies Reef, where on a clear day, you can see the reef in its splendor. Cruise over the shark nets and amble towards Limestone Reef where an abundance of life has grown over an old 1940 shipwreck.
When the weather permits, kayakers are encouraged to dabble in a bit of snorkeling to make the most of these spectacular sites.
Contact KZN Tourism on +27 (0)31 366 7500
