With 2,200 miles of rivers and canals, around 31,460 lochs in Scotland, 387 lakes in England and countless miles of rugged coastline to explore, kayaking in the UK offers adventure in all shapes and sizes.
During the long summer days, sea kayak in the far northwest corner of the country along the remote coasts of Orkney and Shetland in search of orcas, seals and otters. Or, paddle out to the Hebrides’ idyllic, remote beaches.
Calm, flat inland lakes and rivers in the Lake District and Bala Lake in Wales reflect the mountains backdrops, and white-water rapids create Olympic-style slaloms on River Glenarm in Northern Ireland and the River Orchy in Scotland.
Here are a few of our best-loved spots for kayaking in the UK.