Where to practice kayaking and canoeing in Calabria: the best places

Would you like to immerse yourself in nature, explore caves and ravines, enjoy the silence of the sea or a lake? Grab your paddle, let's discover the best places for kayaking and canoeing in Calabria.

An adventure between sport and nature, to enjoy a holiday or a short break in complete freedom.

The kayak is a small, narrow, light boat, and a double paddle is used to move it. Learning it is easy and the sport is perfect for those who love nature and water. If you are a kayak enthusiast or would simply like to try it, in Calabria you can choose between the sea and the lakes. You can bring your own kayak or rent one and have the assistance of professionals ready to accompany you on an excursion that will be unforgettable.

In Tropea and Capo Vaticano (VV) you can move between cliffs and explore caves, immersed in crystal-clear water. If you choose Scilla and Chianalea (RC) as your destination, you can enjoy a unique panorama under the Ruffo Castle or near the houses lapped by the water. You can also enjoy a wonderful kayak excursion around Dino Island to get a closer look at the Blue Grotto and its rocky walls. Paddling on the Ionian Sea with a view of the castle is a unique experience at Le Castella di Isola Capo Rizzuto, in the enchanting setting of the Marine Protected Area.

If the mountains appeal more to you, you will find guided itineraries also for beginners along the Lao River in the Pollino National Park, adrenaline and fun are guaranteed. If, on the other hand, you want to relax and enjoy a slow day, perhaps in the company of family or friends, you should choose to kayak in the calm waters of Lake Arvo or Lake Ampollino, surrounded by dense forests and spectacular nature.

They are often confused, but kayak and canoe are not so similar. A canoe is a light, elongated boat that is propelled with a single paddle. One can kneel in it or sit in it with one's legs stretched out and paddle on one side at a time. You can buy lightweight and compact models that are transportable, or you can choose to rent one, to spend a few hours relaxing and having fun in direct contact with nature. The Calabrian coasts offer an embarrassment of riches to those who like to explore the coastline aboard a canoe.

We start with a trip around the Dino Island (Praia a Mare), to take a closer look at the features of this natural paradise and its caves. We continue paddling in the direction of San Nicola Arcella, to reach the imposing beauty of the striking and fascinating Arcomagno, a huge natural rock arch that is the gateway to its iconic beach. You can continue towards the small Island of Cirella in the suggestive Baia Azzurra, a rocky islet perfect for a regenerating break among natural coves and inlets. 

Those who prefer the mountains will favour river adventures, choosing between fun and adrenalin-pumping activities in the River Lao and placid paddling in Lake Arvo or Lake Ampollino.

For your canoe trips, you can choose Tropea, Zambrone or Capo Vaticano (VV) and discover ravines and inlets where you can enjoy the silence and crystal-clear sea. The waters of the Ionian coast also lend themselves perfectly to long regenerating paddles, in places such as Montepaone, Copanello di Stalettì, Sant'Andrea Apostolo dello Ionio, Schiavonea (seaside hamlet of the municipality of Corigliano-Rossano) or Siderno.