Explore the Arisaig Coastline by Kayak

17/06/2019

Safely tucked into the north shore of Loch nan Ceall and sheltered from the Atlantic swells by the Small Isles, there’s no wonder the locals of old decided to name our beautiful village Arisaig, as it translates directly from Gaelic to Safe Place.  Arisaig’s unique location makes the waters around the village some of the most enviable kayaking territory in the world and as luck would have it, adjoining Arisaig Hotel, the Arisaig Sea Kayak Centre is on hand to make all your sea kayaking dreams come true!   

The paddling adventures began in 2012 when Josh Kingswood together with his father, Mike, asked the previous owners of the hotel if they could lease the adjoining shop as a base to start escorted kayaking trips along the Arisaig coastline.  During this meeting, Josh somehow managed to acquire the entire hotel (!) before leasing the Arisaig Sea Kayak Centre to Mike Martin, who has since poured his heart and soul into providing some of Scotland’s most exceptional sea kayaking trips, which are escorted by a group of fully trained, insured and mega enthusiastic guides.

If you’re over 12 year’s old and of average fitness then anybody, from complete beginners through to advanced kayakers, can embrace paddling to some of the west coast’s most glorious locations.  A kayaking day trip starts at 9.45am getting you home (and hopefully dry) for approximately 4pm and costs £85 for adults and £55 for under 16’s.

From the Arisaig Hotel car park, paddlers hop onboard the Sea Kayak Centre van where the guide will drive to the most appropriate launching spot dependent on sea conditions.  From here, kayakers head out along the beautiful stretch of coastline, where you’ll be taught to handle a sea kayak or helped to develop your skills, all the while getting the most incredible undisturbed views of the area’s rarest wildlife and rich history.  A full day trip allows paddlers the opportunity to explore completely uninhabited beaches, islands and the wilder sections of the coastline, but if you’re after a true wilderness experience, then the Arisaig Sea Kayak Centre also offers sea kayaking holidays.

Kayaking enthusiasts can choose to spend anywhere from two to ten days paddling and fully embracing the west highland coastline, with trips leaving Arisaig and heading out around the Small Isles, Skye and Ardnamurchan.  The Centre offers ‘Explore’ or ‘Expedition’ options where ‘Explorers’ have the option of hotel/guesthouse accommodation along the way and ‘Expeditioners’ get a full on camping, foraging experience!  Prices range from £170 - £980.

The Sea Kayak Centre books up VERY quickly, so if you’re planning a holiday to Arisaig, we advise reserving your spot as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.  You can find out more by clicking here.