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.
Absolutely wonderful! My first time visiting and loved everything. The staff were all great, enjoyed all the activities (especially kayaking), and the food was great. Only area of improvement would be...
Absolutely wonderful! My first time visiting and loved everything. The staff were all great, enjoyed all the activities (especially kayaking), and the food was great. Only area of improvement would be a better app with more information on the daily schedules and activities - and to have a space for updates when the schedule changes. I read other reviews about the water being a bit cold at the beginning of the season so glad I brought a shortie wetsuit. The website should be updated to say you don't have to pack shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner since it was supplied in our rooms.
A fabulous place to go on holiday with enough delicious food for everyone. The facilities were all very good and functional. Every member of staff there was absolutely incredible and very nice to...
A fabulous place to go on holiday with enough delicious food for everyone. The facilities were all very good and functional. Every member of staff there was absolutely incredible and very nice to everyone they met. The rooms where also very nice with enough space. Also a great place to make friends as they had kids club which had several different age groups. The people who looked after us there were amazing and we always managed to do some great activities such as kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, supping, swimming, mountain biking, climbing, tennis, ping pong, pickle ball and fitness.
This was by far my best and favourite holiday ever!! Thank you Neilson team!
This was our 4th time at Vounaki. Lovely club with well maintained grounds, super room which was clean and kept clean daily, the tennis and beachfront were great (16 brand new Lasers), the village...
This was our 4th time at Vounaki. Lovely club with well maintained grounds, super room which was clean and kept clean daily, the tennis and beachfront were great (16 brand new Lasers), the village is close enough to Kayak to for a coffee, and 2 swimming pools, to name but a few things. There are lots of steps so probably not for those who don't like them. Hope to go again with the grandchildren one day
