5 Outdoor Kayaking Adventures to Try This Summer
Love kayaking, but need some fresh ideas? Check out the many possibilities here!
The sun’s staying out longer, the birds are chirping, and we’re getting ready to come out of our winter hibernation. All signs are pointing to summer! With everything starting to return to normal after an unpredictable year, we’re itching for an adventure. If you’re starting to get tired of your repetitive weekend outing around the same body of water, it’s time to try something new! This goes for first-time paddlers and seasoned veterans. If you’re unsure where to start, we’ve created a list of 5 outdoor kayaking adventures to try this summer. Even if they don’t interest you, they might get the creative juices flowing and spark an idea. We made sure our list works for all kayakers, whether you’re paddling on an alpine lake or along the pacific coast.
Photo credit: Peter Amend
1. Fishing
Fishing and kayaking are two of the most commonly combined activities and will turn your day into a peaceful getaway. While there are plenty of kayaks explicitly designed for anglers, it’s not necessary to have one. Since fishing is a time-consuming activity, you want to make sure you’re sitting in a comfortable seat. If you’re starting out, remember your operating in a small space, so keep it simple when it comes to the equipment you carry on board. A benefit kayaks have over boats is that they’re self-powered, meaning there’s no motor to scare away the fish, and its shape allows you to get to those hard-to-reach spots. If you’re looking for the best Oru kayak for fishing, we recommend the Beach LT, it features a wide flat hull that provides stability and plenty of room for equipment.
Photo credit: Greg Balkin
2. Camping
Everyone loves a weekend camping trip. Adding kayaking into the mix makes it even more exciting! Checking out new destinations only accessible by kayak will make it seem like more of an outdoor adventure. There’s bound to be a remote island or beach nearby that’s worth paddling to. We recommend packing your camping gear into smaller dry bags rather than into a few large ones. Remember to organize your kayak so that it floats evenly; too much weight on either end will make it difficult to turn. Avoid strapping gear to the deck; this can make it unstable and complicate rescues. Pro tip: try packing everything beforehand in your house or backyard to make sure it fits! For camping, we recommend the Coast XT, it's a 16-foot closed hull allows you to store all of your camping gear, and its narrow design is great for cutting through water so you can quickly make it to your destination.
Photo credit: Greg Balkin
3. Go on a Trip
What’s kayaking without exploration? While you may have a favorite route, lake, or fishing spot, it’s always good to mix things up! The U.S. is full of plenty of calm waters and flowing rivers. You can journey through the dense tropical forest of Juniper Run in Ocala National Forest or skim across crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe. Instead of wasting your energy portaging, our kayaks are designed so you can easily strap them to your back while you traverse new territory. Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, the Inlet is the ideal choice because its compact and lightweight size can easily fit into the trunk of your car or on the plane (most airlines won’t even charge an extra fee).
Photo credit: Eric Larsen
4. Take Some Photos
Even those of us who don’t have an eye for photography can still snap some breathtaking shots on the water. Whether you’ve never taken a photo before or do it for a living, your kayak will take you to some amazing places allowing you to get unique shots. You’ll be able to get close to wildlife and find hidden and tucked away areas. Plus, sunrises and sunsets are always a guarantee! The Bay ST’s wide base will give you all the stability you need to get a steady and clear shot to show off on social media.
5. Go Night Kayaking
There’s nothing as serene as paddling under the stars while the moon reflects over the water. You’ll feel like you’re in an entirely different world, even when paddling in areas you been to a thousand times. Just remember to bring a reliable light source. While we’re all for adventure, having a flashlight die in the middle of the night doesn’t sound very fun. Try taking out our Bay ST kayak, its closed hull combined with our solar lights will make it glow like a lantern in the night. Now that’s one giant flashlight! If you’d like to learn more about how to prepare for a night kayak trip, you can check out one of our previous blogs on the topic by clicking here.
Each one of our kayaks comes with different specs and features. If you want to compare our complete lineup to determine which one is best for your activity, click the link below:
https://www.orukayak.com/pages/compare
Header photo credit: Elena Pressprich
Photo credit: Peter Amend
1. Fishing
Fishing and kayaking are two of the most commonly combined activities and will turn your day into a peaceful getaway. While there are plenty of kayaks explicitly designed for anglers, it’s not necessary to have one. Since fishing is a time-consuming activity, you want to make sure you’re sitting in a comfortable seat. If you’re starting out, remember your operating in a small space, so keep it simple when it comes to the equipment you carry on board. A benefit kayaks have over boats is that they’re self-powered, meaning there’s no motor to scare away the fish, and its shape allows you to get to those hard-to-reach spots. If you’re looking for the best Oru kayak for fishing, we recommend the Beach LT, it features a wide flat hull that provides stability and plenty of room for equipment.
Photo credit: Greg Balkin
2. Camping
Everyone loves a weekend camping trip. Adding kayaking into the mix makes it even more exciting! Checking out new destinations only accessible by kayak will make it seem like more of an outdoor adventure. There’s bound to be a remote island or beach nearby that’s worth paddling to. We recommend packing your camping gear into smaller dry bags rather than into a few large ones. Remember to organize your kayak so that it floats evenly; too much weight on either end will make it difficult to turn. Avoid strapping gear to the deck; this can make it unstable and complicate rescues. Pro tip: try packing everything beforehand in your house or backyard to make sure it fits! For camping, we recommend the Coast XT, it's a 16-foot closed hull allows you to store all of your camping gear, and its narrow design is great for cutting through water so you can quickly make it to your destination.
Photo credit: Greg Balkin
3. Go on a Trip
What’s kayaking without exploration? While you may have a favorite route, lake, or fishing spot, it’s always good to mix things up! The U.S. is full of plenty of calm waters and flowing rivers. You can journey through the dense tropical forest of Juniper Run in Ocala National Forest or skim across crystal clear waters of Lake Tahoe. Instead of wasting your energy portaging, our kayaks are designed so you can easily strap them to your back while you traverse new territory. Whether you’re traveling by car or plane, the Inlet is the ideal choice because its compact and lightweight size can easily fit into the trunk of your car or on the plane (most airlines won’t even charge an extra fee).
Photo credit: Eric Larsen
4. Take Some Photos
Even those of us who don’t have an eye for photography can still snap some breathtaking shots on the water. Whether you’ve never taken a photo before or do it for a living, your kayak will take you to some amazing places allowing you to get unique shots. You’ll be able to get close to wildlife and find hidden and tucked away areas. Plus, sunrises and sunsets are always a guarantee! The Bay ST’s wide base will give you all the stability you need to get a steady and clear shot to show off on social media.
5. Go Night Kayaking
There’s nothing as serene as paddling under the stars while the moon reflects over the water. You’ll feel like you’re in an entirely different world, even when paddling in areas you been to a thousand times. Just remember to bring a reliable light source. While we’re all for adventure, having a flashlight die in the middle of the night doesn’t sound very fun. Try taking out our Bay ST kayak, its closed hull combined with our solar lights will make it glow like a lantern in the night. Now that’s one giant flashlight! If you’d like to learn more about how to prepare for a night kayak trip, you can check out one of our previous blogs on the topic by clicking here.
Each one of our kayaks comes with different specs and features. If you want to compare our complete lineup to determine which one is best for your activity, click the link below:
https://www.orukayak.com/pages/compare
Header photo credit: Elena Pressprich