As your kayak glides effortlessly over silken waters, a seal pops up just a few meters from you. You stare at each other for a few moments and become mesmerised by its big, black eyes. Silently it raises its nose to the sky and slides below the water.
Another seal appears behind your partner’s kayak; and another behind you – you begin to wonder if they are surrounding you like cowboys and indians!
With a smile on your face and a picture of seals, kayaks and your partner ingrained in your head, you excitedly swap stories of the experience as you resume paddling gently towards your destination.
Guided sea kayak journeys are currently limited to just four people at a time so as to keep the experience personal or to allow complete beginners to explore Ardnamurchan from the water. They are also ideal for couples who wish to have one guide to themselves for the duration.
Sea Kayak Journeys are a full day (10:00 to 16:00) and £80 per adult / £50 per child (12+ years).
If you would like to enhance it with a locally sourced gourmet lunch drawing predominantly upon produce grown, reared or caught in Strontian, possibly cooked over a wood burning stove or open fire, then please let me know and this can be added for £20 per person.
Throughout your journey you will be accompanied by me, a fully qualified and experienced local guide, who is there to ensure you get the most from your trip by tailoring it to your experiences and aspirations. I will offer advice as necessary, perhaps on efficient paddling, look after your safety throughout the trip and highlight any wildlife that appears or can be found as well as tell you any relevant local cultural or historical sights or stories.
While I certainly intend you to stay in your kayak and dry, very occasionally people do capsize and fall in and it does (only occasionally) rain in Scotland, so please dress appropriately. Changing facilities are very limited at present, so please come ‘dressed’ for the day and do your best to keep the kayak upright!
You may be asked to help move and lift kayaks during the day, so please let your guide know if this is going to be difficult for you or if you have any medical or dietary concerns that may affect your participation in the day.
Above all, enjoy your adventure and keep your fingers crossed for an otter to make an appearance!
Included in a sea kayak journey are the following:
* Please feel free to use your own paddlesport equipment as long as it confirms to current UK safety standards and best practices an dis less than five years old.
The following items are a non-exhaustive list of what is not included in these tours:
After a little tuition and a few minutes to get used to the kayaks, everyone soon feels confident enough to head off on their short sea kayak journey on Loch Sunart.
Solo sea kayaks allow everyone a little independence to explore away from the group. This teenager is taking advantage of that and paving the way for the rest of the group.
Mirror calm conditions
In perfect conditions, the mountains are reflected in Loch Etive on this beautiful February morning. Memories of this day will live on for a long time...
Lost in thought
Many people find sea kayaking in calm conditions a little meditative! this kayaker experienced just that as they paddled off in a late afternoon sea kayak journey on Loch Sunart.
Sea kayakers in the Sound of Mull
Heading out of Lochaline and down the Sound of Mull, these kayakers are to discover remote islands as they cross the Sound of Mull and back during their day.
Rainbow over castle
Sea kayaking on Loch Moidart usually means finishing at Castle Tioram. On this day we had a rainbow to guide us back home.
Sea kayaking past the Small Isles
Sea kayak journeys are longer days which brings the advantage of heading to more remote places, sometimes with stunning views across to the Small Isles.
"What is this life...
If full of care, we have no time to stand and stare."
Reflecting upon the journey so far and taking the stunning scenery is part of the experience on a sea kayak journey on Loch Moidart.
Tail winds can help
Days with a bit of wind can be used to make a journey a little easier and travel a little further - as long as the planning has been done to go with the wind!
Dappled light on Loch Sunart
Loch Sunart is such a varied place and the light changes so rapidly. Add new people on every trip and no two trips will ever be the same.
Locally sourced salad and chutney
An option on sea kayak journeys is to have a locally sourced lunch provided and cooked for you. This salad was grown at Myrtle Moss Croft in Strontian and accompanied local cheese and oatcakes as a starter.