Best Sea Kayaking Destinations in Europe

When it comes to sea kayaking, Europe is the ultimate name on account of its diverse coastlines. Though UK rules the coastal scenario, many coasts of mainland Europe are unique as kayaking destinations.

To begin with, Shetland with its amazingly mild climate, is characterized by sea cliffs interspersed with small beaches and caves.

These sea caves are fascinating for their large and complex configuration, lighted by occasional sun beams.

Anglesey and Brittany are known for their abundance of yummy seafoods. Brittany can be reached even by personal cars and therefore it is really a cool place to relax and enjoy a family vacation.

The Isle of Man in the northern Irish Sea with an area of 221 square miles lies closest to the British Isles. It is a topmost kayaking location within an archipelago.

The Isles of Scilly is yet another warm archipelago, whose favorable weather makes it navigable in all types of weather conditions.

Close to Palau and La Maddalena, Sardinia is yet another lovely archipelago with sea-worn granite topography. For days-long expeditions for crossing the straits of Bonifaccio to Corsical is a very suitable idea in the months of April or May.

Scotland does not lag behind as a kayaking spot because it is gifted with isles like Jura and Islay. This apart, the romantic remote beaches with white sands makes Scotland a paradise for those who look ahead for lunch stops.

Moving away from the nearest vicinity of the British Isles, Norway is unique for its Lofoten Islands. Its mountainous topography and fjords make it doubly interesting in the sense that adventurers can both climb and kayak.

The steep and rugged shores of Croatia and its thinly populated islands offer a perfect fun time to those who look ahead spending some quality time in solitude. The appeal lies in its limestone cliffs, pine forests and the magnificent view of the ancient city of Dubrovnik.

Greece has a mountainous terrain protruding into the sea at southern Balkans. A range of over 2000 islands including Crete, Euboea, Lesbos and Chios coupled by the Ionian Sea islands make it a very much sought after kayaking spot.

source: hotelresortinsider

Deserted Beaches - America & Caribbean

Casperson Beach Sarasota, Florida

Windswept, untouched and covered in shells - and a few pre-historic sharks' teeth - Casperson Beach on the Gulf Island of Sarasota, off Florida's west coast feels like it's a million miles away from the region's theme-parks and shopping malls. A nature trail leads from the beach to freshwater and saltwater marshes, mangrove swamps and tidal flats. Sarasota has plenty of theatres, museums and nature parks too.

Cooper Jack Beaches Providenciales, Turks & Caicos Islands

Providenciales is just one of the 49 islands that make up Turks and Caicos. Although it's not uninhabited, there are some secluded spots as most visitors don't stray from the stunning, busier beaches - such as 12-mile long Grace Bay - which have baby-powder sand and turquoise water.

Kaupoa Beach Molokai Island, Hawaii

About 2,400 miles from the nearest continent, the Hawaiian Islands are the most isolated on the globe, the sensation of which can be heightened by visiting their hidden beaches. Kaupoa beach has toothpaste-white coves and the surrounding landscape resembles an African savannah with its red soil. Nearby Kahalepohaku and Kapukuwahine beaches on the southwest shore are also deserted, though the sea can be too dangerous for swimming when it's rough and there are strong currents, especially in winter.

Playon de Mismaloya Mexico

The only way to the private Playón de Mismaloya beach, 60 miles south of Puerto Vallarta, is on the rowing boat used to cross the estuary from Hotelito Desconocido. The pristine beach extends for 40 miles in front of the hotel's stilt houses, and it is one of the country's, and indeed the world's, most important sanctuaries for turtles, which hatch between June and January. Visitors can spot birds nesting in the wetland lagoon's wild vegetation all year round. There is no electricity, so at sundown candles are lit throughout the hotel.

Chacocente Wildlife Refuge Nicaragua

Apart from the occasional gap-year student tagging turtles for a conservation project, you are unlikely to see anyone else on this protected spot of beach on the Pacific coast to the east of Managua, which is only accessible by horse or in a four-wheel drive. The beach is a small part of the wildlife reserve, which is dominated by the largest tract of unspoilt dry tropical forest ecosystem in Nicaragua and runs along the Río Escalante. Rare Paslama turtles lay their eggs here between July and January.

Rio Frutilla Bahia Arenal, Chile

The remote beaches and fjords of the Pacific coast of southern Chile are in one of the world's great wildernesses. Dolphins, penguins and sea lions are year-round residents in Bahía Arenal, and may be your sole companions. Travel there is tricky, and involves a flight to Santiago, one to Puerto Montt, a light aircraft to Chaitén, a drive to the mouth of the Río Palena, and a boat to Bahía Arenal. Once there you will find hospitality and good grub at the Bahía Arenal lodge, and can spend time sea kayaking, fishing and lazing on the beach.

Source: pronicaragua

Unspoiled Beaches @ Africa

Rocktail Bay, South Africa

The journey to Rocktail Bay may be complex - flight to Johannesburg, internal flight to tiny Richards Bay airport, single-engine aircraft to KwaZulu-Natal - but this guarantees you'll feel like you're alone in the world once you arrive. There is a 10-chalet tree house eco-lodge in the Maputaland Coastal Forest and Marine Reserve, and though the diving is some of the best in the world, only one diving boat is allowed on the 37-mile coastline, which is sheltered by virgin forest and frequented by nesting turtles.

Bosluisbaii Beach, Namibia

Barren, rugged and breathtaking, the Skeleton Coast is an incredible place, where the desert meets the sea. The beaches are spectacularly eerie, swathed in fog and covered in whale bones. Swimming is dangerous as the sea is cold with strong currents. Particularly remote is Bosluisbaii beach, in the north of the Skeleton Coast near the Kunene River mouth, which you need special permission to access. This can be arranged by the Schoeman family who run safaris and have lived in the area for decades, so are secret beach experts. A four-day Schoemans' Safari uses light aircraft to fly between deserted beaches.

Guludo Beach, Mozambique

Elephants pick mangoes from trees and dugongs wallow in the shallows eating seagrass on this virgin white beach in the Quirimbas National Park in the north of Mozambique. The park was created in 2002 and comprises the 11 southernmost islands of the Quirimbas archipelago, plus a vast expanse of mainland. Guests staying at the Guludo Beach Lodge can explore the historic Ibo Island, once a major slave and ivory trading point, dive the unexplored coral reefs and join fishermen in their dug-out canoes.

Beach Vacation Destination for Family

Costa Del Sub, Sardina, Italy

Although you have to drive to the beaches, the water is clean, the sand is white and there aren't too many people: Sardinian beaches are far better than many on the Italian mainland.

Cottesloe, Australia

Just north of Fremantle and west of Perth in Western Australia, Cottesloe has a beautifully safe beach for kids to swim or snorkel at, and the weather always seems to be perfect.

Durban, South Africa

Washed by the warm Indian Ocean, Durban's city beaches have plenty of free children's swimming pools and lots of family entertainment such as Sea World and Ushaka Marine World.

Karon Beach, Thailand

Family-friendly Karon, with its Flintstone-themed fun park, is a great base for exploring Phuket's beaches and reserves, including Phuket Gibbon Rehabilitation Center.

Kauai, Hawaii, USA

Home to plenty of beaches where children can snorkel in very shallow waters and an excellent Children's Discovery Museum.

Aitutaki, Cook Islands

Soft sand beaches edge a turquoise lagoon filled with tropical fish. Kayaking, snorkeling and boat cruises are also part of the picture.

Noosa, Australia

Recommended by lots of parents at Lonely Planet's head office as a wonderful place to take the kids. Great beaches, beautiful natural environment (Noosa National Park) and very child-friendly.

Tavira, Portugal

At the eastern end of the Portuguese south coast, this quiet town has a magnificent untamed beach that goes on for miles. And, best of all, you take a boat to get to the beach.

Sayulita, Mexico

A safe, laid-back beach town full of hip North American and European families where you and the kids get "back to basics." Every evening both local and gringo kids congregate in the town square to eat ice cream and play games.

Sanur, Bali, Indonesia

A quiet little town close to the "happening" area of Bali with a great little collection of warungs (outdoor restaurants) lining the beach at both ends; full of friendly local people.

Source: Idiva

Top Beaches with WiFi Access

Clearwater Beach, Florida

This popular Floridian beach boasts great WiFi coverage from multiple suppliers. So between relaxing in the sun and swimming in the crystal clear Gulf waters you can browse the web, email friends or even do some work.

Brighton Beach, United Kingdom

This lively seaside resort has been a firm favourite with dance music fans from all over the UK for many years.

Brighton is famous for it’s crazy nightlife, which starts early and finishes late. Brighton also has a great selection of boutique shops and when the weather is nice, the beach is packed with sun worshippers.

The beach is also blanketed with WiFi, allowing you to email photos from the night before. You should have no problem finding free wireless internet access once off the beach, there are lots of open hotspots throughout the resort.

Patong Beach, Thailand

Patong is a beach in Phuket that is popular destination with the backpacking jet-set who travel to Thailand for the year round sun, vibrant culture and delectable food. Now you’ve got another reason to come here; the ability to relax on the beach while browsing your favourite websites.

Sunset State Beach, California

Looking for a bit more action instead of just baking in the sun? Then Sunset State Beach is for you. It has a huge range of activities available from fishing and horse riding to hiking and surfing. What’s more, you can get wireless internet access to keep in touch with your friends and family.

Hermosa Beach, California

Hermosa is a happening beach with some classic Californian surfing mixed with a hip laid back atmosphere. The Hermosa area is packed full with restaurants, especially around the Pier Avenue area.

On top of this there is plenty of accommodation at affordable prices. You can roam the streets and the beachfront connected wirelessly to the web via 802.11g, accessible through AT&T and iPass.

Cannes, France

This upmarket destination on the southern French coast, famed for the annual film festival, has 3 beaches that offer wireless internet action as well as typical beach activities and services.

Plage L’evasion, Plage L’ondine and Plage Royale are all covered by at least 1 wireless provider. If you are feeling lazy, you could theoretically order your mozzarella and vine tomato salad online and arrange delivery to your sun bed!

Naples, Italy

The Italian beach of Stabilimento Balneare Bagno Elena in Naples has a long a illustrious history. Its long golden sands have attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists over the years and now they have another reason to travel, local authorities have blanketed the beach in a wireless network. Now you can bask in the sun and soak up some microwaves.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Famed for a cosmopolitan, fast-paced lifestyle, Buenos Aires known as the southern hemisphere’s Paris.

If you are heading off to visit the Argentinian capital soon make sure to fit in some time on one of the many beaches lining the city shores, several of which have free and open WiFi internet access. That’s if you can bring yourself to lift a laptop after all the partying!

Waikiki Beach, Hawaii

If you are planning a long haul trip, then Hawaii might should have crossed your mind. If the white sands, clear warm water, year round sunshine and all-pervading beach lifestyle doesn’t whet your appetite then WiFi access on Waikiki Beach should.

Lake Ontario, Canada

It might not have the sizzling temperatures of other beaches on this list but it does have a wireless network dating back to 2003.

It also has fantastic fishing, sailing, cycling, hiking and plenty more to keep you active when you get bored surfing the net. If you visit in the winter, browsing the internet and building up your bookmarks might be the only thing you can do!

Source: geekabout.com

Unspoiled Beaches @ Europe

Luskentyre, West coast of Harris, Scotland

Resembling a South Pacific tropical island, the west coast of Harris is edged with wide beaches of silvery and golden sand that are possibly the finest in the UK. But the island's far-flung location means few mainlanders haul their buckets and spades up there. Drive between Luskentyre and Traigh Scarasta and you'll spot dozens of gorgeous empty beaches, including the long, narrow Luskentyre.

Vallee De L'ortolo, Corsica

Deep in the sparsely populated Vallee de l'Ortolo in the southern region of Sartène, lie hidden beaches and secret walking trails, few of them known to those not staying at the U Cavaddu Senza Nome campsite and riding centre. Once a major wine-growing region until phylloxera lice put paid to all but a couple of the vineyards, the valley feels wild and abandoned and the beaches make fine solitary retreats and a quiet alternative to the famous Roccapina beach to the east. The valley is three miles south of Sartène, off the N196.

Castrocucco, Basilicata, Italy

The Basilicata region is one of Italy's best-kept secrets. Among the country's poorest regions, it is rugged and unspoilt. Dozens of gorgeous secret beaches await walkers who conquer the twisty coastal paths, one of the prettiest being Castrocucco, a 15-minute drive south of Maratea, a bustling fishing port. As well as sweeping coastal views south towards Calabria, it has a ruined castle and dramatic blowholes in the rocks along the shore.

Ransvik, Sweden

This hidden beach in the Kullaberg nature reserve in the Skane area of southern Sweden has great cliffs from which to fling yourself into the North Sea. It also has a somewhat sordid history: it is said to be where Swedish sin was born when it became a unisex beach at the beginning of the 20th century and, unusually, allowed men and women to swim together. Richard Gere, seduced by the atmosphere of seclusion and privacy was caught out by the paparazzi swimming naked with a mystery Swedish woman there.

Fakistra, Pelion, Greece

Fakistra is a sandy beach with rocky outcrops at each side creating a turquoise lagoon, with a waterfall and cool pool behind it. It's a gorgeous hidden spot in a quiet part of the Pelion Peninsula, north of Athens, and a 90-minute walk down a cobbled path from the tiny, car-free hamlet of Damouchari, which passes an ancient school where Greek language and culture were taught in secret during the oppressive Ottoman regime, and winds through overgrown olive groves.

source: guardian.co.uk

Unspoiled Beaches @ Asia

Whale Island - Vietnam

Hammocks hang outside the rustic bungalows in the only resort here and hiking trails littered with flowers snake up from the beach while whales circle in the surrounding seas. Situated just north of Nha Trang, it's almost deserted and has some of the most secluded beaches in Vietnam.

Between February and October the scuba diving and snorkelling are unbelievable - Environmental efforts in the area have seen the number of marine species increase from 40 to more than 170 in recent years.

Koh Lone - Thailand

Phuket may now be as well known as Disneyland, but just off its coast, the tiny, timeless island of Koh Lone offers seclusion away from the crowds. Stretching just two miles east to west, and 2,600ft north to south, it's only accessible by a 20-minute long tail boat journey.

Nothing has changed there for decades: there are no roads, no vehicles and it is home only to a few fishermen who spend most of their time on boats, leaving the beaches free for the few tourists who visit. Those looking for total isolation can take a boat trip to the empty beaches of, among others, Coral Island and Buddha Island.

Nellikunnu Beach - Kerala

Swaying coconut palms, the roar of the sea and the fragrance of Thulasi in the air bring India to life on the virgin Nellikunnu Beach in Kerala. It is accessible to those staying at the Thapovan holistic hotel, which specialises in Ayurvedic treatments and yoga. Some rooms are in lush gardens and others are built on a cliff overlooking the beach. Guests can take tours to neighbouring villages, markets and festivals and try traditional Keralan food.

Vigan Island - Philippines

Although it's popular with nature lovers and not far off the beaten path, you won't find any beach parties on the 45 islands that make up the El Nido region of the Philippines and it isn't difficult to locate your own private stretch of dreamy sand. Aside from some amazing dive sites, beaches are what El Nido does best, and every nook and cranny has a fine white sandy cove between the rainforest, mangroves, coral reefs, and limestone cliffs.

If you stay in the El Nido Resort on Miniloc Island you can kayak or take a boat trip and picnic to pockets of white sand on Paglugaban, Entalula and Pangulasian islands, though the best is Vigan, also known as 'snake island' on account of a wiggly sand spit that's only visible at low tide, with shallow swimming on both sides.

Source: guardian.co.uk