Canoeing and Kayaking In Kent

Read our guide for Canoeing and Kayaking In Kent and Find and Book experiences, courses, activities and tours! Browse through the list of experiences, either instantly book onto your dates or enquire to book. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy! If you’ve got any questions about any specific experience, send a message and the providers will aim to get back to you as soon as possible. Have a specific experience in mind that we don’t have listed? No problem, drop us a message and we’ll send your quote around to hundreds of the best experience providers nationwide and come back with you the best quote, making it easy for you to make the most of your spare time!

Tunbridge - Maidstone Paddling Adventure

London

Join us down by the river for a 2 day trip messing about in boats. Running from Tonbridge to Maidstone and then on to the sea, the Medway is a fascinating river that has been used for centuries both a... Join us down by the river for a 2 day trip messing about in boats. Running from Tonbridge to Maidstone...

Why Kayaking and Canoeing in Kent?

With a huge 350 mile long coastline and several beautiful rivers and canals to explore, there are few better ways to discover Kent’s stunning landscapes than by canoe or kayak. Whether on the Medway Canoe Trail through the heart of the county, chilling out with the family on the Royal Military Canal, or seal spotting in the Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve, there are plenty of options to keep everyone happy.
Kayaking and canoeing are a fantastic way to see the landscape from a different perspective, and get to experience locations - and see wildlife - you might not otherwise get to visit. For the experienced paddler there are plenty of options available. For beginners or those wishing to improve their skills, there are plenty of adventure providers who can take you on the rivers safely.
Canoe and Kayak in UK

Alternatively browse through the list of canoeing and kayaking experiences in Kent, then either instantly book onto your dates or enquire to book. All you have to do is turn up and enjoy! If you’ve got any questions about any specific experience, send a message and the providers will aim to get back to you as soon as possible, so you can explore the best of Kent. Have a specific experience in mind that we don’t have listed? No problem, drop us a message and we’ll send your quote around to hundreds of the best experience providers nationwide and come back with you the best quote, making it easy for you to make the most of your spare time!

What are the best canoeing and kayaking locations in Kent?

Medway Canoe trail: what better way to explore the heart of the Kent countryside than this 18 mile route from historic Tonbridge, passing plenty of heritage alongside the lush banks and reed beds that line the river all the way to Allington Lock.
The River Stour: the best section for this is downriver from Canterbury. Starting from Forwich there’s a lovely section approximately 8 miles in length running to Plucks Gutter. Passing through some tranquil marshes it has some lovely clear water, making it a perfect habitat for white clawed crayfish, as well as bream, brown trout and European eels.
Ramsgate Coastline: perhaps the safest and most picturesque stretch of Kent’s coastline is around Ramsgate, and kayaking is a fine way to explore the coast and get a different perspective of it. Active Ramsgate have handily come up with two canoe trails to help you make the most of it, one being self-guided and the other a group guided trail. The self-guided route is better suited to experienced paddlers, and sets off from Ramsgate before following the coastline for 2 miles to the pretty town of Broadstairs. The guided trail takes a route through both open sea and river and includes Pegwell Bay National Nature Reserve - one of the UK’s most protected bird sites - which gives you a fantastic chance to spot wetland birds and even seals.

Best canoeing and kayaking for beginners and families in Kent

Royal Military Canal - running for 28 miles between Seabrook and Cliff End and following the old cliff line alongside Romney Marsh, the canal was originally built as a defence against possible invasion by Napolean. Now it’s a fantastic way for a tranquil paddle to explore the Kent countryside, passing through several Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Mote Park: located near Maidstone, Mote Park comprises over 450 acres of scenic grassland, woodland, rivers and, the start of the show, the 30 acre lake! Here you can explore the lake and the surrounding park by hiring a kayak or canoe, or learn new skills and improve existing ones with a range of courses.

Safety Advice for Canoeing and Kayaking

A license is just one small part of the puzzle when it comes to working out where and when to paddle. See our list below on things to consider before going canoeing or kayaking:

Weather, flow, tides and visibility: Attention should be paid to the flow of the river by checking the environment agency website and others. A significant flow on the river can be caused by excessive rain, often hundreds of miles away, that over a number of days, pour into the river can cause significant currents. Whilst its often hard to see ‘flow’ just by looking at the river the National River Flow Archive can provide specific information on the flow to enable you to decide if it’s worth the outing. Often, it’s much nicer to paddle in calmer waters, rather than battling a surging river and having greater risk around meanders, bridges and other boat vessels, so this is something to consider. Likewise, wind, tide, weather and visibility should be taken into consideration when planning your canoeing or kayaking trip.
Conditions within your level of capability Always err on the side of caution when going out in your canoe or kayak and make sure you’re comfortable with the conditions of the water
Tell your friends: Let people know where you’re going and when you expect to be back. Ideally go with a group of people so if someone falls in, you’ll have others to help or raise the alarm
Get training: Book in a canoeing or kayaking instructor course or experience days on Beyonk
Practice falling in drills: In calmer waters and with the supervision of an instructor, practice how to fall in and what to do when you do fall in, so you’re prepared on what to do
Consider wearing safety equipment such as buoyancy aids, which can be life-savers in many scenarios even if you’re a strong swimmer. The water temperature, flow or taking a knock to the head can all present risks that will make your swimming skills useless and a buoyancy aid life-saving
Wear appropriate clothing for the conditions of your paddle. Don’t risk getting soaking wet and cold in the rain if you’re going out for prolonged periods
Be aware of waterway restrictions, from boating lanes, military operations and more, to avoid any dangers
Make sure to get stacked up on nutrition and water to maintain energy levels if you’re going for over an hour's paddle.
Take a communication device, mobile or radio in case of emergency and call 999 if needed.

Where can I go canoeing or kayaking in Kent?

Unfortunately there are all sorts of restrictions on where you can go canoeing or kayaking in Wales, as many bodies of water are owned by different organisations and there are more specific protections in place. It’s not quite as simple as just rocking up to your closest river and going for a paddle. There have been stories of authorities asking to see licenses and being able to fine those canoeing and kayaking without a license.
There are some places where licenses aren’t required, like paddling in the sea, estuaries or most tidal water (which can often travel quite far up many rivers). However, these are the areas that require skill and experience to go paddling. Nevertheless, estuary and sea kayaking can offer some of the most rewarding experiences with sightings of seals, a wealth of other animals and stunning coastal scenes.
Canals and inland rivers can be great places to kayak and canoe as waters can be easier to navigate and manage than tidal waters. However, for many inland rivers in the UK you’ll need to work out whether you are able to canoe or kayak there due to both private restrictions and licensing restrictions. In Wales, check out the Canoe Wales website for the rivers where you can canoe or kayak under their membership. If there are any questions, you’re best off sending them a message to see what license is required (if any) for your stretch of river. Restrictions also exist for where land is privately owned (e.g. beaches), where there are environmental protection schemes such as Nature reserves, where there are military bases or activity happening or where there are restrictions due to safety such as avoiding shipping lanes, waste disposal or dangerous wrecks.

Canoe and Kayak Clubs, Hire and Lessons in Kent near me

Search through our map of hundreds of canoe and kayak clubs, places to hire equipment or find lessons. If you’re looking for something specific, drop us a message and we’ll find it for you.

Canoeing and Kayaking for Families and Kids in Kent

Canoeing and Kayaking are great family friendly sports. Canoes are more of the stable and spacious choice that allow for gentle and calm paddling experiences. Kayaking also offers the option for two-seaters that are a great way to bond with a friend or family member. Sea Kayaks and Touring Kayaks are incredibly stable, like Canoes, so it's more difficult to fall in or get wet. When it comes to the types of water to look out for, calmer water makes for a more enjoyable experience with kids. Look out for local lakes or canals for safer and more tranquil paddling. The beauty of canoeing and kayaking are that they are 'sit down' sports. The level of fitness required for both - at entry level - is relatively low, so most people can get involved with the sport.