Kayaking can be as active and exhilarating as you want it to be. Take to the water for a leisurely paddle along sparkling coastlines or feel the pull of your paddle as you cut through the water. With all of our Beach Clubs offering inclusive kayaking - all day, every day - you can get out on the water whenever you want. You can glide along the water and reach spots that feel unreachable from land, often with less effort than you might expect.
With no tuition needed, you can set off for a paddle whenever you want. Just pop on a buoyancy aid, grab a paddle and you're ready to go. Kayaks will be waiting on the shore for you at all of our Beach Clubs. Why wait?
The lowdown
Holidays with included kayaking in Croatia, Greece, Sardinia, Sicily and Mauritius
Guided kayak safaris
Free to use, no need to join a session
Single and double kayaks
Great for kids of all ages
Inclusive
Kayak safari
Our kayak safaris are a great shout if you want a little guidance on your kayaking holiday to make sure that you're covering all the best spots during your trip. If you’re itching to get out and about, this is a great way to explore and keep you cool, paddling to nearby beaches for a snorkel or swim. Head down to the water sports beach to sign up with the beach crew, then grab your equipment and head out on safari with one of the team.
Having a team member there to enhance your kayaking adventure holiday is a great way not only to gain knowledge about the landmarks that you pass but also to pick up tips and improve your technique. If it's your first time in a kayak, don't worry; no previous experience is needed. Go solo or double up with a friend - your safari leader will take things at a pace that suits you.
KAYAKING IN CROATIA At our Alana Beach Club in Croatia, you can kayak along the shore to check out the rocky peaks of the Paklenica National Park.
KAYAKING IN TURKEY The crystal-clear waters make kayaking in Turkey a real adventure. Weather it's a peaceful paddle on the water or exploring the nearby caves and bays, kayaking at Neilson x Cook's Club Adakoy is a must.
KAYAKING IN SARDINIA Prefer to relax in between kayaking? Baia dei Mori Beach Club in Sardinia is the place for you, with picture-perfect beaches on which to sunbathe, plus seascapes that will tempt you to paddle for miles.
KAYAKING IN SICILY The southern Sicilian coastline was made for kayaking. Glass-clear waters, knockout views and the Neilson x Mangia’s Torre del Barone Resort as your base. The only tricky part? Deciding when to paddle back in.
KAYAKING IN MAURITIUS At Neilson x The Ravenala Attitude, every paddle is a good one. Glide over marine life in a glass-bottom kayak, drift across calm, glassy seas and soak it all in. Whatever your vibe, Mauritius was made for watersports.
Is kayaking for me?
If the idea of exploring somewhere new out on the water thrills you, a kayaking adventure is a no-brainer. Kayaking allows you to explore and get up close to areas that you simply can't access from land. We're talking hidden coves to uncover as you journey along the coastline. You can dabble in a spot of kayaking, so don't worry if you prefer to do most of your exploring on dry land.
We have a guide for beginners on what you can expect when you go kayaking for the first time; it should give you a clearer idea on what you can expect from a kayaking holiday in Europe. Of course, you might decide to mix it up with other inclusive activities that take your fancy, which is completely up to you. It's your holiday, after all!
Kayaking for beginners
Never tried kayaking before? Don't panic! Our kayaking experience can be tailored to suit your experience level.
Sit-on-top kayaks are typically used by beginners because of their wide frame, giving you extra stability. This is the kayak model we offer at our Neilson Beach Clubs to make the sport more accessible.
When starting out, it's best to choose a quiet spot where the water looks calm with no waves being created by nearby watersports activities. A gently sloping shoreline will help you get started too - and little to no wind. Start small and ease your way up instead of launching into a long trip that will tire you out quickly. You'll soon build up the skills as your kayaking holiday progresses.
Family-friendly kayaking
With single and double kayaks available to use, you can head out with the kids - or even the grandparents - in tow. Our sit-on-top kayaks provide extra stability thanks to their wider frame, for a little extra peace of mind.
Alternatively, if you want to venture out while the kids are preoccupied with their own fun activities, you can always take advantage of our onsite kids' clubs. The variety of clubs on offer for kids of different ages means that they can get a taster of everything from beach games to water sports.
What should I pack for kayaking in Europe?
If you want to get stuck into lengthier kayaking sessions during your holiday, it's worth packing a few extra items to make sure that you're as comfortable as possible. After all, you can't top up your suncream while you're out on the water unless you bring it with you. A buoyancy aid will be provided.
A dry bag to keep belongings dry in the kayak
Waterproof phone case
Water bottle
Snacks
Suncream
Sun hat and sunglasses
Why choose Neilson for your kayaking adventure holiday?
Our team of adventurers are on hand to help you craft the perfect kayaking holiday, drawing on over 40 years of experience. We have over 1,000 positive reviews that you can read if you need more reassurance ahead of your trip.
You can find blogs about watersports, including kayaking, over on the Neilson Hub, with content for both newbies and more seasoned pros. It's a great way to get a few tips before you set off on your kayaking adventure holiday. You can get insight on why learning watersports is an epic family activity, plus everything you need to know about the basics of kayaking.
To find out more or book your next holiday with us, get in touch with our friendly team.
My four year old says it should be a thousand stars! Sea badgers was fantastic. Our children went sailing, kayaking and ran happily every day to kids club. We felt like we had a proper holiday, a rest...
My four year old says it should be a thousand stars! Sea badgers was fantastic. Our children went sailing, kayaking and ran happily every day to kids club. We felt like we had a proper holiday, a rest, fun and even a few drinks in the sun.
This was our first Neilson holiday. We went with my cousin and her husband who had done lots of Neilson holidays before.We did as many of the activities we could. It was the first time in my life I...
This was our first Neilson holiday. We went with my cousin and her husband who had done lots of Neilson holidays before.We did as many of the activities we could. It was the first time in my life I had done kayaking and paddle boarding and even tennis.All staff are fabulous such patience and friendliness.
Our bedroom was roomy and kept clean by the hardworking maids.
The only thing I would like is for Neilson to consider flying from Bournemouth or Southampton. Thank you for our memorable holiday. we are thinking of rebooking .
The team at Mar Menor were superb - excellent customer service. The hotel was new this year and has good facilities. The food choice and quality was very good - best of all the Neilson resorts we have...
The team at Mar Menor were superb - excellent customer service. The hotel was new this year and has good facilities. The food choice and quality was very good - best of all the Neilson resorts we have been to so far. The chefs go out of their way to ensure all allergies and food preferences are catered for. All the Neilson activities staff were very enthusiastic and friendly, especially the bike team! Nice to see some experienced staff there to bed in the new hotel (e.g. Jonny, last seen in Sardinia). It was a shame that the local region had just had some devastating floods, so some of the bike routes were closed down, but the hotel is helping the local community by having fundraising nights to help out. We were happy to support the local economy by spending money in local shops and cafes in Los Nietos and Los Urritias. The salt water lagoon is great for beginners in sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and paddleboarding. I would not swim in it due to the floods having washed in a huge amount of red clay / mud, plus whatever else from the surrounding fields, and there is seaweed all the way up to the waters edge. But being on the water is great - we even saw some flying fish!
Really enjoyed the 50m pool, and with going in late September there were only a handful of toddlers around who were being looked after by the nannies (and "mannies") so it was like being in an adult-only resort.
Flights all on time, the airport at Murcia is brand new and quiet, beautiful weather, fantastic staff and good quality meals. Perfect holiday!
