Paddles Up! Go Kayaking in Goa to find your own bit of Paradise!
Kayaking in Goa is a thrilling and unforgettable experience. It’s a unique way to explore the sparkling Arabian Sea and the many rivers that flow through this beautiful state. Goa is truly a paradise for kayaking, offering exciting and memorable adventures that will make you fall in love with it all over again!
First things first – what exactly is Kayaking?
Well, a kayak is like a canoe (does that helps at all?!).
It’s an enclosed water vessel, where you sit with your feet extended, facing forward and holding a double bladed paddle as your steering wheel, just as the fishermen of Greenland did aeons ago. When you sign up for a kayaking experience your tour operator will spend a good amount of time acquainting you with the vessel and teaching you how to manoeuvre it. The one main thing to remember though, is that it’s very easy to navigate- even children can do it as can the elderly. You can do this alone, with a buddy or as a group for some group laughter and fun too!
You don’t need prior experience, swimming expertise, a muscular hunk of a body- nothing. What you do need is a spark in your spirit, a bubble of excitement and a love for nature.
Secondly, when is it a good time to go Kayaking in Goa?
The best period is Oct- March when the tides and winds are mild or alternatively, in the monsoons when the waterways are flushed with life. Kayaking is done best during sunrise (7:30 am) or sunset ( 5-6 pm) and lasts typically for 1.5- 2 hours.
Most importantly, where can one do kayaking in Goa?
When and where you do kayaking depends on what makes you tick because different areas offer different kinds of kayaking experiences. So spot yourself below and find the best options for you.
1. For The Nature Nurturers.
If you are the type who reaches out for books on flora and fauna in a book store, whose travel kit consists of a pair of binoculars and who stands in admiration of the unusual tree and leaf patterns, then you should head for a kayaking trip through the backwater and rivers of Goa.
Go to the Chapora river in North Goa, famous for the Chapora Fort, and wind gently through the bending, dipping mangroves holding the Egrets, Coucals, Kingfishers in its swooping arms.
For a very well curated experience sign up for the Chapora Backwater Kayaking experience with Make It Happen. Their leaders are well versed in the ecology of the mangroves and will help you to spot and learn more about the flora and fauna. The experience is a zero-waste, low-carbon footprint experience so you get the chance to Kayak in an environmentally responsible manner. The equipment used is all high quality and certified for your increased safety. Importantly, their leader is a certified rescue dive expert so you really have nothing to worry about when you are with them. There is also a back-up boat for larger groups- so if the elderly or children get tired, they can just get on to the boat for the rest of the trip. And to top it all, you also have the option of dipping into the river after the kayaking is done to really enjoy being one with nature!
Check out the details here- https://makeithappen.co.in/tour/backwater-kayaking-experience/
Go to the Nerul river at Candolim and head out towards Fort Aguada and on the way through the mangroves spot kingfishers, Osprey, sea eagles, kingfishers, cormorants, brahminy kites, fruit bats, red wattled lapwings, peacocks and even shy otters prancing in the backwaters. You could even spot the island of Dogs where a bunch of local dogs swim across to bask in the sunshine. (I have personally seen this and flooded my whatsapp groups with it!)
Go to the Sal river in South Goa and float by its creeks and lagoons to try to spot the otters here too. Glide beside blushing lotuses and smiling water lilies strewn around your kayak to make you feel like you are in a magical dream.
2.For the Moksha Minded.
If you love tranquillity, serenity and the calm of nature then head to the Palolem beach in South Goa with your kayak as it is known for its serene waters and the absence of strong currents. Here as well as at Nerul, Chapora and the Sal backwaters you will have just the breeze for company and the swishing of the paddle for conversation. These are the places where ‘nature whispers its secrets in every gentle paddle stroke’ and where ‘the kayak and the endless river both are indeed your therapists’ ! Again, check out the incredibly peaceful Chapora Backwater Kayaking experience with Make It Happen.
3. For the Local Vocals
If you love to immerse yourselves in the lives of the locals and observe the local culture then get your paddles into Chapora or Mandovi rivers as their beaches are dotted with villages, churches, fishermen, grazing water buffalos, running moorhens, buildings and even forts
The Mandovi on a kayak will give you a glimpse of the rustic-modern character of Goa city- as you spot its churches, admire its colonial buildings and spot the glitzy casinos. The river is wide and open and gives a larger than life feel when you are on it.
The Bambolim trip will take you through areas where you can see fishermen out with their nets in search of fish.
The Nerul will take you through rural villages, historical churches, ancient temples and even a prawn hatchery.
The Colva beach in South Goa is also a window to the villages dotting the shore as you glide by on your Kayak. You can spot exotic local plants like cashew, bamboo and mango – the lifeline of the locals.
4. For the Romantic Roosters!
If your heart flutters seeing a groovy sunset, a promising sunrise or the mesmerising night sky– a kayaking tour is your answer too. There is a sense of intimacy and charm in being on a kayak in the middle of a beautiful water body.
Moonlight Kayaking at Bambolim beach ( North Goa) or Palolem beach ( south Goa)
Three days before and three days after the full moon around 7 pm head for these romantic kayaking trips with a red rose and a ring stashed in your pocket. Enjoy a quiet intimate evening lit up by the stars and their reflection in the water. Spot dolphins, crabs, and luminescent plankton as a bonus!
Hypnotic Sunset and Misty Sunrise trips at Bambolim, Chapora, Nerul, Sal, Baga creek, Zuari river. If catching the changing colors of the sky being lapped up by the waters is what interests you, go just about anywhere. Find yourself sitting inside a kaleidoscope as the pieces move every few minutes as the sun tirelessly moves its course. See the other life forms- animal and human go through their movements too along with the sun.
5. For the Thrill Tyrants!
If you like a little more bump and grind in life and adrenaline is your best friend then head for a bouncy sea kayaking experience. Go to Baga beach, Bambolim , Chapora river, or to the Mobor Beach in the south. The waters here are more mischievous and you can enjoy riding the waves especially in larger groups for even more adventure! You could also take a Dolphin spotting kayaking tour and have the friendly dolphins for company. Check out operators at the Mandovi River and Sinquerim beach, alongside Fort Aguada.
There certainly is something for everyone in the pleasures of kayaking- and sometimes we have a little of all these different types in us. Then just let your mood for the day decide what kind of a Kayakoholic you want to be today!
Some things to bear in mind
- Select your tour operator with care. Trust in experts to make you an expert. Look at certification and experience.
- Make sure the equipment is in good condition
- Don’t ditch the safety jacket, helmet etc.
- Dress appropriately- stick to wet suits or shorts or track pants.
- Understand the inclusions and exclusions offered by the operator and come prepared.
- No alcohol on this trip
- Stay hydrated, carry sunscreen, a hat and a snack
- Be a responsible Kayaker – don’t disturb the marine life and ecological balance.
- Book your tour well in advance
Author
Seemeen Khan
