Kayaking with kids has become one of our favourite ways to add a little adventure to our family trips. It gets everyone out on the water, gives kids a fun way to experience a destination, and often lets you explore places you just can’t reach as easily on foot.
In this post, we’re sharing some of our favourite places for kayaking with kids from our family travels, from calm rivers and mangrove channels to tropical bays, alpine lakes and overwater resorts. Since we also love getting out on a stand up paddle board when the conditions are right, we’ve included a few great paddle boarding destinations for families too.
Whether you’re planning your first family kayaking experience or looking for a memorable water adventure on your next trip, these destinations are all places where getting out on the water felt fun, manageable and well worth it with kids.
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17 Kayak Vacation Destination Ideas for Families
If you’re looking for a kayaking vacation for families, these destinations are a great place to start. Most are places we’ve personally visited and kayaked with our kids, while a few come from trusted family travel bloggers we know who have shared their own first-hand experiences.
From calm rivers and mangrove channels to alpine lakes and tropical bays, these kayaking destinations offer a mix of easy family paddles, guided tours and memorable water-based adventures.
Kayaking with Kids in Charleston, South Carolina
We loved visiting Charleston with kids on our road trip through the southeastern USA. The city itself was fun to explore and we won’t even get into the amazing food here, but what made us love it even more was the opportunity to get into nature.
Just a short drive from downtown Charleston to Bowens Island, we were able to take a 2-hour kayak tour on Folly Creek with Charleston Outdoor Adventures. This would be our first time getting our 2-year old toddler in a kayak, so we were a little nervous about how it would go especially given that we’d be on a tour with other people.
We were given a brief introduction to the area and shown how to paddle the kayak. We were all given life jackets (including appropriately sized kid life jackets) and dry bags for the tour. Our family was given two tandem kayaks, so the kids were able to ride up front.
We spent two hours on our tour of the marshes and waterways behind Folly Beach. Our guide was excellent and gave us so much information about the area. We even got to see a couple of dolphins, plenty of birds and crabs, and oyster beds.
We could have just rented the kayaks on our own, but we would have missed out on all the knowledge about the wildlife and eco-system that our guide shared with us. He did a great job making it fun for the kids as well.
Without kids, we might have chosen the tour on stand up paddle boards instead but either way it was such a fun outing for all of us. We did make sure to book an early morning tour to avoid the heat, and of course, water, sunscreen and sun hats were a must!
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Kayaking with Kids at 500 Rai Floating Resort, Thailand
On a recent family trip to Thailand, we treated ourselves to a stay at a floating bungalow on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park. One of the best parts of staying at 500 Rai Floating Resort with kids was how easy it was to get out on the water. Every villa had a kayak attached to the dock, so we didn’t need to organize anything or wait for a scheduled activity. Several times a day, we’d simply climb into the kayak and paddle around the protected area near the resort.
This was such a great option for families because the kayaking felt relaxed and low-pressure. Most of the time, we just paddled around Cheow Lan Lake, enjoying the views of the limestone karst mountains.
We also signed up for a kayak touring excursion one afternoon, which gave us a chance to paddle a little farther from the resort. Our guide led us along the shoreline while we looked for monkeys, water buffalo and maybe even elephants. We didn’t have much luck with wildlife sightings beyond a few hornbill birds and a wild chicken, but the scenery was so spectacular that it was still well worth it.
Stand up paddle boarding was also available at the resort, with a couple of SUPs near the main swimming pool. They were a bit banged up, but they floated well enough for some casual family fun around the protected resort area. Between the kayaks, SUPs and swimming right from our private dock, 500 Rai was one of the easiest places we’ve stayed for getting kids out on the water.
For more information, see our full review of the 500 Rai Floating Resort.
Kayaking with Kids in Vieques, Puerto Rico
Kayaking Puerto Mosquito Bioluminescent Bay was the main reason we chose to visit Vieques with kids on our family trip to Puerto Rico, and it ended up being one of the most memorable things we’ve ever done with our kids. We booked a nighttime kayaking tour in clear-bottom kayaks, which made the experience even better because we could see the bioluminescent plankton glowing underneath us as the kayak moved through the water.
This is a great kayaking experience for families who want something truly unique, but it does require keeping kids up well past their usual bedtime. Once we were on the water, though, it was well worth it. Every paddle stroke created a bright blue glow in the water, and the kids could also put their hands in the water to watch the bioluminescence light up around them.
The clear-bottom kayaks were one of the best parts of the tour. As we glided through the bay, the plankton glowed beneath the kayak, and we could even see fish swimming through the water as they lit up the bioluminescence around them. It felt very different from a daytime paddle, and our daughter said it was one of the most incredible things she had ever seen.
If you’re visiting Vieques with kids during high season, book your BioBay kayaking tour well in advance. We waited until we arrived and almost missed out, getting the final available spots for the entire week. It’s also very hard to take good pictures in the dark, so don’t worry too much about capturing it perfectly. This is one of those family travel experiences that is best enjoyed in the moment.
Kayaking with Kids in La Paz, Mexico
La Paz quickly became one of our favourite places to visit in Mexico with kids, and kayaking at Playa Balandra was one of the best family-friendly adventures we did there. We visited as part of a Playa Balandra kayaking, snorkeling and hiking tour, which worked really well for us since access to Playa Balandra is regulated and can take a bit of planning on your own.
We started our day kayaking in the calm, shallow turquoise water of Playa Balandra. This is a great option for families because the beach sits in a long inlet, so the water was much calmer than you’d typically find on an open beach. We paddled toward the inland part of the inlet and through the channels of a large mangrove forest, where we saw fish in the shallow water and plenty of birds, including snowy egrets, a blue heron and an osprey.
After kayaking through the mangroves, we paddled to a small rocky island known as Pelican Rock. This was a fun stop with kids because there were so many pelicans around, and it was also where we got out of our kayaks to go snorkeling. Getting in and out of the kayak for snorkeling was easier than I expected, and the clear water around Pelican Rock made this one of our favourite snorkeling experiences in La Paz.
This is a great kayaking experience for active families who want more than just beach time. The tour also included a short viewpoint hike to Playa el Tecolote, so it felt like a full family adventure day rather than just a quick paddle.
Playa Balandra is very popular and daily visitation is limited, so going with a tour made the logistics much easier for our family. The water was calm and shallow during our visit, but you’ll still want sun protection, water shoes and properly fitting life jackets for kids.
If you’re visiting La Paz with kids and want calm water, beautiful scenery and an easy way to experience Playa Balandra without figuring out the access rules on your own, this kayaking tour is well worth considering.
Kayaking with Kids in Koh Lanta, Thailand
Our kayaking tour was one of our favourite activities from our family trip Koh Lanta, Thailand. The tour started from a fishing pier on the eastern side of Koh Lanta Noi, where we hopped into a Thai longboat before heading out toward the mangroves and nearby islands.
We didn’t kayak through the mangroves, but we did enjoy the boat ride through them, where we spotted macaque monkeys and birds along the way. From there, we visited Skull Island, which was a big hit with the kids. The island really does have the outline of a skull, and we climbed up inside the caves using old tire ladders and ropes attached to the cave walls.
The kayaking portion of the tour took place around Koh Talabang Island, where the water near the shoreline was calm and manageable with kids. We followed our guide beneath towering cliff walls, paddled under rocky overhangs and saw stalactites hanging above us as we kayaked along the island.
After lunch and some time watching monkeys near the beach, we continued kayaking toward Monkey Beach and into the mouth of a large cave. We didn’t love that the guide fed the monkeys, but the kids were still very excited to see them up close. Between the calm sea kayaking, Skull Island cave adventure and dramatic coastal scenery, this Koh Lanta kayaking tour was a great option for active families.
Kayaking with Kids on the Chagres River in Panama City
One of our favourite things to do in Panama City with kids was a private kayaking tour on the Chagres River, just outside the city. The Chagres River flows through Soberanía National Park and is the main water source for the Panama Canal, so this felt like a really unique way to experience both the jungle and an important part of Panama’s history.
Our family was given two wide, stable kayaks, with one parent and one child in each. Even though we paddled upstream, the water was incredibly calm with barely any current, making this a great kayaking experience for families. It was easy, peaceful and a very manageable way to get out on the water with kids.
The river was lined with dense jungle and floating plants, and while we didn’t see any land mammals from the kayaks, we heard plenty of howler monkeys in the forest. We also saw lots of birdlife, including a tiger heron, and our daughter spotted a small snake swimming between our kayaks, which quickly convinced the kids to keep their feet inside.
This is a great option for families who want an easy kayaking tour near Panama City. It’s common for the tour to get close to the Panama Canal shipping channel, but that depends on timing and conditions. We didn’t get lucky with seeing ships from the kayaks, but the calm water, jungle scenery and birdlife still made it well worth it.
Kids Kayaking at Railay Beach, Thailand
Railay Beach in Thailand could possibly be one of the most beautiful beaches we’ve had the pleasure of visiting. While staying in nearby Ao Nang with kids, we took a long-tail boat over to spend the day at Railay Beach.
While we were there we noticed several people renting kayaks and stand up paddle boards to get closer to the stunning limestone karsts. It’s one thing to admire the view from the beach, and quite another to get to see it from the vantage point of being in the water. We knew we’d have to return another day and try it ourselves.
Given that we were travelling in Thailand with kids (who were 5 & 3 years old at the time), we knew kayaking would be the safest way. We were able to rent a tandem kayak that had room for both kids to sit in the front. Though it didn’t make for the best pictures, it allowed us to share the experience as a family.
We spent an hour kayaking from Railay Beach over to the nearby limestone karsts jutting out of the water. We went in between them, got up close to them and saw plenty of birds. It was such a fun experience for everyone and a unique way to see the landscape other than just from the beach or when speeding by on a boat.
Renting a kayak or SUP was easy and we did it right from the beach. We were given adult life jackets, but we had brought our kids’ swim vests from home.
Kayaking with Kids near Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Our mangrove kayaking tour near Manuel Antonio was a great way to add an active family adventure to our family trip to Costa Rica. After so many jungle walks and wildlife tours, it was fun to experience the area from the water and paddle through the mangrove canals near Damas.
The mangrove kayaking was fun and manageable, with a mix of wider channels and narrow mangrove canals. The narrow sections made it feel a little more adventurous, but not too difficult. We saw plenty of mangrove crabs and colourful crabs on the roots, plus blue herons, bats, birds, a raccoon and a group of white-faced capuchin monkeys.
If your main goal is wildlife viewing, we’d still recommend a land-based jungle tour for your family trip to Manuel Antonio National Park. It’s harder to spot wildlife from a kayak because you are paddling and moving downstream. But if you want a kid-friendly adventure with some wildlife mixed in, kayaking through the mangroves near Manuel Antonio is a great option for families.
Kayak with Kids in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
When planning our trip to Thailand, we chose to visit Kanchanaburi with kids because of the outdoor experiences it offered. We were able to visit the nearby temples by bike and took a day trip out to the nearby Erawan National Park. It seemed like the perfect place to hit three of our favorite things to do when traveling with kids: hike, bike & kayak.
Walking up the main street in Kanchanaburi, we were easily able to find a place to rent kayaks. We weren’t looking for a full day tour, since that can be more difficult with young kids.
We were able to rent the kayaks for a couple of hours from River Kwai Canoe Travel Services who picked us up from our hotel and drove us to the starting point.
Kayaking on the River Kwai was a wonderful experience, perfect for a family with small kids. The river was calm and in the morning, was free of most boat traffic.
We had the river all to ourselves for almost the entire time, it was until we start kayaking under the Bridge on the River Kwai that we started to see some boat traffic.
We were given instructions to call when we passed under the bridge near our hotel and we’d be picked up at the Chinese temple. Sure enough, she was waiting there when we arrived to give us a lift back to our hotel.
We opted to kayak over stand up paddle boarding because it’s a little easier to do with the kids. Though they can ride on the front of the boards, being in the kayak allows them to move around more and even try paddling themselves.
We were given adult-sized life jackets, but had our own swim vests for the kids. We often find it difficult to rent kids’ gear, such as life jackets and helmets, for kids this small, so if we have the room and it’s easy to pack, we bring our own.
Though this would have been a lovely way to see the sunset, we opted for mid morning. It was a little warm towards the end, but the river was extremely calm and we saw very little boat traffic.
Kayaking with Kids at Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge, Panama
One of the best parts of staying at Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge with kids was how easy it was to kayak right from the resort. The lodge offers free kayak rentals for guests, and since the kayaks were small single-person kayaks, our kids were able to paddle on their own after learning to kayak during our stay at 500 Rai Floating Resort in Thailand.
We spent our time exploring the calm, clear water around the overwater bungalows and near the mangroves along the shoreline. This was a great kayaking spot for families because we could simply get out on the water when everyone felt like it and paddle close to the resort.
The clear, shallow water made the kayaking especially fun for the kids. From our kayaks, we could see starfish and stingrays on the ocean floor, which made even a short paddle feel exciting.
For more details, see our full review of the Punta Caracol Acqua Lodge with kids.
Kayaking with Kids in Huatulco, Mexico
During our stay at the Barceló Huatulco all-inclusive resort, we joined a sunrise kayak tour on Tangolunda Bay, and it ended up being one of the most memorable activities from our trip. It did mean getting up very early, but watching the sunrise from the water was well worth the effort.
Tangolunda Bay is a good option for kayaking with kids because it is more sheltered than the open Pacific. The water conditions can still vary, but during our stay the bay felt manageable and family-friendly.
In addition to our off-resort tour, we also liked that Barceló Huatulco offered complimentary access to kayaks and other non-motorized water sports, giving us another way to get out on the water without planning a separate excursion.
We have more details about our Huatulco kayaking tour in our review of the Barceló Huatulco all-inclusive resort with kids.
Kayaking with Kids in Glacier National Park
Looking out over Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park is one of the most picturesque sights on earth! The huge mountains overlooking the glacier-fed lake create such an inspiring view that makes you want to run right into the water.
But watch out: the glacial lake is deep, rocky and incredibly cold. Don’t let that stop you from jumping right in though, especially with the kids!
On a hot summer’s day you can grab a kayak, SUP, or boat from one of the rental vendors in Apgar Village and go enjoy that crystal clear water. It is by far one of the best things to do in Glacier National Park with kids.
It was one of our kids’ most memorable experiences: their first time trying a SUP and kayak, in an incredible setting. Only 30 feet from shore the lake gets incredibly deep but it is so clear you can see the huge car-sized boulders hanging out at the bottom.
Not only can you rent personal water sports gear, they also have boats and boat tours you could take to navigate the entire length of the 10-mile lake. If you’re feeling adventurous, there are plenty of people that will bring or rent kayaks or SUPs and circumnavigate the entire length from end-to-end.
One of the best reasons to spend time kayaking or SUPing with kids at Apgar Village is the ice cream shop just up the road from the lake. It makes the end of a memorable day on the water even better.
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Kids Kayaking in Oahu, Hawaii
For families who love kayaking or want to learn how to do it together, the calm waters of Kaneohe Bay off the Windward Coast of Oahu, Hawaii are a great place to start. The scenery is stunning and the conditions are just right!
Our favorite kayak trip in the area was to “the Mokes”, the twin islands that are visible from Kailua Beach and Lanikai Beach. You can paddle there on your own, but we went with a top-notch tour provider and it was a wonderful experience.
We were taught proper paddling form, had the opportunity to snorkel with wild sea turtles and even learned to “kayak surf” on the wave break between Moku Nua and Moku Iki!
We recommend bringing your own kid-size snorkel gear with you if you plan to go kayaking in Hawaii, as many operators don’t have the smallest sizes available.
Unlike some other places where we’ve kayaked, the water is blessedly warm, after all it’s Hawaii! We comfortably used sit-on-top kayaks and didn’t have to worry about a little water splashing inside or gearing everyone up with spray skirts as we’ve had to on cold-water kayaking trips.
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Kayak with Kids in Silver Springs, Florida
About an hour outside of Disney World sits one of the largest artesian springs ever discovered. The crystal clear spring run looks like it came straight from a movie set. Probably because the original Tarzan movies, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Sea Hunt, and countless other movies and TV shows have been filmed there.
Glass-bottom boat tours take you to see statues from I Spy, a 400-year-old dugout canoe, and other historic small craft sunk in the sparkling waters. Today, the 5.5-mile kayak run is a favorite for young and old alike because it’s the only paddle trail in America where it’s possible to see wild monkeys and manatees!
If you’ve never paddled in an artesian spring, you don’t know what you’re missing. The first mile of spring run is so clear you can see all the way to the bottom. Not only does this let you see all the historic shipwrecks, but you can also find manatees frolicking in springs year round.
The rest of the trip you’re kayaking through the black water of cypress swamp. About 200 wild monkeys live in these woods (escapees from a 1930’s tourist attraction).
You also might find alligators basking in the sun or a whole host of water birds and turtles sitting on stumps. Kayaking Silver Springs is like an all-natural theme park ride in wild Florida. No wonder commercial kayak liveries run this river year round.
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Kayaking with Kids in Holbox, Mexico
Discover Isla Holbox, about a 25-minute ferry ride from Chiquilá, north of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. This sweet, slim, hidden gem of an island is part of the Yum Balam Wildlife Protection Area, where flamingos, whale sharks, sea turtles, and scores of marine life make their home. It’s known for natural, untamed beaches and coastline.
Aside from being known for its quiet ecological beaches, Isla Holbox marks where the Gulf of Mexico meets the Caribbean. When you need a break from the beach, book a kayaking excursion through the mangroves.
Compare prices between local vendors (on the beach or near town center) who would love to guide you along the coast and through the mangroves via kayak. Two well-reputed companies are Explora Holbox Kayak Tours or VIP Holbox Experience.
Start your paddle through the shallow, clear water. Listen for birds and look out for flamingos and crocodiles basking in the sun on the banks once you enter the mangrove tree-lined channels. You can also rent a SUP or a kayak from the beach to simply explore the coastline.
An Isla Holbox beach vacation with kids should be on everyone’s list!
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Kids Kayaking on Lake Nicaragua
Nicaragua is an adventure lover’s dream destination and there are many active activities for families in Nicaragua. Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America and contains the beautiful twin volcanic island of Ometepe. It offers an opportunity to experience rural Nicaragua and see the amazing diversity of wildlife on the island.
One of the best ways to experience this is on a kayak trip on the lake, into Rio Istian. We were thankful to have double kayaks with one adult and one kid, since it can be tough paddling against the wind on the lake.
Once we entered Rio Istian, the water was calm and we were surrounded by jungle. If the kids can stay quiet long enough, you will be rewarded with many bird sightings. At the time of our visit, we organized our trip through Caballitos Mar.
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Kayaking with Kids in Abel Tasman, New Zealand
The Abel Tasman National Park is located in the northern part of New Zealand’s South Island and is known for its golden beaches, granite cliffs, and its world-famous coastal track. Kayaking is the perfect way to see the Abel Tasman coastline.
We chose a half-day paddle to Split Apple Rock from Kaiteriteri, which is suitable for children aged 8 and up. The Split Apple Rock paddle is an ideal introduction to sea kayaking, but this is sea kayaking and tides can make things more tricky!
After some initial instruction on the beach we were off in our double sea kayaks. As this is sea kayaking, spray decks are worn (hence the minimum child age). Our family of five was split up with a child per adult, plus one of the boys with an instructor.
Getting out to Split Apple Rock was hard work as the wind was blowing hard against us. At one point I thought my kayak wouldn’t make it! Once at Split Apple Rock we spent some time observing the rock from our kayaks, then headed to the most beautiful beach for some drinks and cookies.
From here we paddled back to the starting point, much easier on the way back as the wind was with us. This three hour kayak is beautiful and well worth the effort, for the tremendous views of the coastline and spectacular beaches.
There are plenty of options when it comes to kayaking in Abel Tasman, but many of them require children to be aged 12. Kayaking operators are based in Kaiteriteri, Marahau and Golden Bay.
The Split Apple Rock paddle often runs twice daily, morning and afternoon, from the beach at Kaiteriteri.
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6 Amazing Places to Paddle Board with Kids
Paddle boarding with kids is another fun way to get out on the water as a family, especially if your kids are happy sitting on the front of the board while you paddle. Like kayaking, it works best in calm, protected water where you don’t have to worry as much about waves, wind or boat traffic.
These are a few of our favourite SUP destinations for families, from easy lake paddles to tropical beach experiences that felt manageable and fun with kids.
SUP with Kids in Banff National Park
Getting out on a stand up paddle board is the perfect way to experience the beauty of the alpine lakes and surrounding mountains while visiting Banff National Park with kids. On a hot summer day in the Canadian Rockies, this might just be the ideal activity for families.
Thankfully, there are plenty of opportunities to paddle board on lakes in Banff. Places like Johnson Lake and Vermilion Lakes offer calm water, making it easier to paddle board with a child sitting on the front of your board.
It also won’t take long to paddle around these lakes, so you can go out as long as you want or switch off with your partner while kids play along the shores.
Water temperatures in Banff’s glacial lakes and rivers seldom rise above 10°C, so hypothermia is a real risk if you fall in. We recommend only trying this if you can trust your young kids to sit at the front of your board.
We will let our kids practice standing and paddling as we get closer to shore, where we have easy access to our car with warm clothing.
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Before using non-motorized watercraft or water-related gear in Banff National Park, check the current water activity zone and complete the required Clean, Drain, Dry and Self-certification steps. Some waterbodies allow paddling, while others have restrictions.
Stand Up Paddle Board with Kids on Lake Tahoe
You might recognize photos of the beautiful alpine lake, Lake Tahoe which straddles California and Nevada in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Lake Tahoe is a year-round destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and adventure, but summer is hard to beat for activities on and off the water.
There is something for everyone here, whether you want to relax at one of many beaches dotting the lake, hike or bike one of the hundreds of trails, or get out on the water.
Our favorite way to experience the famous blue water of this pristine lake is by paddleboard. There are lots of great places to paddle around Lake Tahoe, but there is one that is worth spending a day or two at.
Sand Harbor State Park, which is situated near Incline Village in NV is home to Tahoe’s famous crystal clear waters (you can see the bottom up to 100 feet!) and rocky boulders doting the shoreline, along with secluded coves of sandy beaches.
Get here early when the state park opens at 8 AM so you can get a prime spot to “set up camp” on the beach for the day. There are also restrooms, a cafe, and a rental shop where you can rent paddleboards and kayaks.
We love paddling around Diver’s Cove (there are rocks to jump off here too) and Boat Beach, but if you are up for a real adventure, we suggest paddling down to Secret Cove from the main beach at Sand Harbor (about 5 miles). Stay relatively close to the shoreline as it can get choppy farther out on the water.
If you make this trek, bring a dry bag with lunch and water (and don’t forget the sunscreen!), so you can stop along one of the hidden beaches along the way. It will be a day you will never forget!
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Kids SUP in Siesta Key, Florida
There are good reasons Siesta Key is known worldwide as one of America’s best beaches. Its wide beaches are filled with the whitest silica sand you have ever seen.
The warm, calm water of the Gulf of Mexico washes laps lazily on the shore, and a charming little tourist town provides yummy eats and cool treats. This little slice of heaven has everything kids could want, including a beautiful kid-friendly SUP run in the Jim Neville Marine Preserve.
You put in at the Turtle Beach SUP launch and paddle through the still waters of Blind Pass where you might even find a manatee or two. The pass takes you into the mangrove forests of the Jim Neville Marine Preserve.
About 10 minutes more paddling and you reach a natural turn around on the sands of Midnight Pass. Here a narrow stretch of secluded beach separates the marine preserve from the gulf.
The kids can play in the surf and sand until it’s time to paddle back. The beauty of this easy three-mile round trip paddle might make you forget the delicious gelato waiting for you in town, but your kids will be there to remind you.
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SUP with Kids in Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Stand up paddle boarding was something I had wanted to try for a while, and I couldn’t have chosen a more idyllic place to try it for the first time.
I had first seen people doing it while we were on one of the popular public beaches in Playa del Carmen, but I wasn’t convinced that was the best place to try it for the first time. The waves were a little bigger than I was comfortable going out on, given I planned to do it on my own.
A few days later, we arrived on Xpu-Ha beach and I knew this would be the perfect place to finally try stand up paddle boarding. I was able to rent a board, and after a few brief instructions, I was out on the water.
The water was calm and so clear. It was incredibly peaceful being out there all on my own. I paddled back to where my husband and kids were playing on the beach, and of course, the kids were begging to have a turn riding on it.
We returned to Xpu-Ha beach a few days later, this time with their swim vests, and rented a stand up paddle board again. This time my husband and I took turns out on the water and with each of our kids.
We weren’t sure about being on the stand up paddle board with a toddler, but our son (who was 2 years old at the time), was so content to just lay there. I thought he was going to fall asleep!
The Mayan Riviera is such an incredible place for families! Here are all the resources we used to plan our family trip to the Riviera Maya.
Stand Up Paddle Board in Valle de Bravo, Mexico with Kids
After a week in Mexico City with kids, we couldn’t have been happier to arrive in Valle de Bravo. It was a 2-3 hour bus ride from Mexico City but felt like another world. With views of Lake Avándaro surrounded by mountains, we knew we’d enjoy our time exploring Valle de Bravo with our kids.
First on our list was to visit the Piedra Herrada Butterfly Sanctuary to witness the migration of the monarch butterflies, but after that we hoped to do some hiking and get out on the lake.
The lake is popular for water activities, especially in the summer, so we planned to get out either on kayaks or stand up paddle boards. We had walked down by the waterfront plaza and saw they were available for rent, but instead we booked a SUP lake tour.
We were the only ones on the tour so it ended up being a private guided tour around the lake. That suited us well, since we had our two kids on the front of our boards.
We mentioned in our conversation with our guide Arturo that we would have two kids with us, so he made sure to bring them life jackets.
The water was incredibly calm and he took us around the lake for approximately 90 minutes. We stopped near several small waterfalls feeding the lake.
Given that it was just us, we were able to take our time, let the kids try standing and just enjoying the scenery. The hour and a half was the perfect amount of time, as the kids were getting a little antsy towards the end.
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SUP with Kids on the Central Coast NSW
With over 40 different beaches, the Central Coast on Australia’s East Coast has conditions and a beach to suit everyone. Only an hour north of Sydney, it makes a great day trip and escape from the hustle and bustle of the busier city beaches.
Even during the busier summer months you can find areas where you have whole stretches of clean sand and magic waves all to yourself.
Some of our favourite spots to take children out on the SUP include Terrigal Haven and Avoca Lagoon, as conditions are calmer and there are lots of family-friendly facilities nearby such as restrooms and places to eat.
Avoca and Terrigal Lagoons also have the option to hire SUPs and other water based fun from local business based on the shorelines.
For kayaking, The Entrance has a fantastic lake system where you can explore islands and see the local pelicans the area is famous for.
To find out which beaches are patrolled in the area and what facilities are available check out this guide to Central Coast beaches.
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Tips for Paddle Boarding and Kayaking with Kids
Kayaking with kids for the first time, especially small kids, can be a little intimidating but it’s certainly still possible. Since you won’t know how long they’ll be happy sitting in a kayak, start with shorter outings on the water and gradually build up.
Older kids, on the other hand, will get to paddle on their own, which is a fun experience for them but they need to be prepared to do the work. Typically, kids need to be at least 12 years old to go in a kayak on their own, but most places will have tandem kayaks so they can go with a parent if they aren’t comfortable on their own.
Standup paddle boarding is another option that’s fun for everyone. It can be a little more difficult with toddlers and smaller kids, though keeping it to a shorter length helps them to enjoy the experience more while they are on the front of the board.
If you are renting a SUP or kayak with kids for the first time, choose calm water and keep the outing under two hours. That gives everyone the best chance of enjoying it.
Alternatively, if the area is easy to navigate, you can rent the kayaks or stand up paddle boards and go out on your own. The key is to keep the experience fun for everyone.
What to Bring for Kayaking or SUP with Kids
- Depending on whether you join a tour or rent on your own, you may not be able to confirm in advance whether kids’ life jackets are available. We recommend bringing life jackets for kids if you are unsure.
- Wide brimmed sunhats for kids and adults
- Sunscreen
- Plenty of water (keep it cool in an insulated water bottle)
- Sandals you can walk in the water with like these Keen sandals for kids
- Sunglasses
- Floating waterproof dry bag for your camera, etc.
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