Sea Kayak Monemvasia
A 3-hour guided Sea Kayaking trip, around a medieval town perched on an iceberg-like megalith island
The Place
The Citadel town of Monemvasia is not only a unique medieval gem of Greece but also one of the most beautiful castle towns in the world. An iceberg-like megalith stone surrounded by the sea with sheer cliffs rising hundreds of meters is a unique travel experience offering unique opportunities for outdoor activities. The Sea kayak Monemvasia reveals amazing views of the city walls, the rocks, and the spectacular cliffs visible only from the sea.
The Trip
Meet your guide at Monemvasia’s small port located across the fort, and get a short introduction to paddling techniques, safety measures, and equipment. Soon, we shall hop on our kayaks for a trip around the rock like never before. It is well known that the best view of Monemvasia is from the sea, and this is what we shall do. Paddling under the impressive city walls and rocks on which the town is built, you will enjoy breathtaking views of the citadel town from a different perspective. You will enjoy, in private, the best view of the city walls and the medieval town with several breaks for storytelling. This is unquestionably the most beautiful part of our sea adventure.
The area is mostly rugged, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a swim. Our next stop is “Portelo”, a small, hidden gap on the south side of the walls offering the unique experience of swimming in the shade of the Castle of Monemvasia, as well as at a platform for fun diving! After completing our paddling around the rock, we shall jump out of our kayaks onto a beach, where we will break for a homemade picnic, sunbathing, and snorkeling to discover the richness of the underwater world. We finish the day paddling back to the starting bay overlooking the rock from a different angle.
What's included
- Super stable and easy to paddle single or double kayaks with a rudder.
- Full Sea Kayak equipment: paddle, life jacket, spray-deck, waterproof jacket, waterproof bags.
- Land and water-based Sea Kayaking paddling instructions.
- British Canoeing (BC) certified Sea Kayak leaders, holding a first-aid certificate.
- Eco-friendly cultural and educational guiding.
- Picnic lunch with freshly baked bread, handpicked vegetables, extra virgin olive oil dips, local cheese, and fruits of the season.
- Photographs from the trip.
- All taxes.
Not included
- Water (please bring your own full bottle of water).
- Transfer to the meeting point.
- Tip or gratuity.
Know before you book
- A minimum number of 6 participants is required for this activity to take place.
- Previous experience is not required.
- Knowing how to swim is compulsory for this activity.
- Relatively good physical condition.
- Parental accompaniment for minors to take part in this activity.
- Kids from 5 years old may join this trip.
- A written waiver form is compulsory to be filled in before taking part in this activity.
Know before you go
- Bottle of water (A reusable bottle helps in minimizing plastic waste).
- Medication you may need.
- Hat.
- Short or long sleeve t-shirt.
- Sunscreen.
- Towel.
- Swimwear or shorts.
- Change of dry clothes (to be used after the activity).
- Sea shoes, flip flops, or sandals (avoid bulky shoes and socks).
Frequently asked questions
What if I've never kayaked before?
Most of our customers are first-timers. Sea kayak Monemvasia trip is easy to catch up, and beginners can complete a decent journey on their first-time sea kayaking trip. The kayaks you will be using are super stable and suit all levels of paddlers, even if you have never paddled before. Our experienced guides will take you through the basic skills, so you have the knowledge and adequate paddling capability to enjoy a day at the sea.
What will be the pace?
All of our trips are about journeying. We paddle at a relaxed pace; we learn on the move and enjoy the marine environment. If you are a group of experienced paddlers wanting to complete a demanding journey, then a private trip would be the best option.
What should I wear?
We suggest wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit wet. Swimwear is essential if you wish to swim, a quick dry t-shirt, a hat, sunglasses, and shorts. Running shoes and socks are not recommended as they tend to get soggy. Sea shoes, sandals or flip flops are fine. A lightweight polypropylene or fleece layer should be included in early spring and late fall tours. Dry bags are provided where you can store your phone or some other personal belongings.
Who are the people who will guide us?
Professional local kayak leaders trained and certified by the British Canoeing (BC) with a great knowledge of the area and the marine environment.
Is this Sea Kayaking trip suitable for families with kids?
Absolutely Yes! A family sea kayak tour is fun, educational, stimulating, and surprisingly relaxing for parents who wish to have their kids engaged in the experience of exploring the marine environment and the outdoors in a safe and controlled way. We offer discounted rates for families with kids on some tours.
What is the minimum age for a kid to join this sea kayaking trip?
Kids from 5 years old may join a standard group trip or a private trip.
What is the trip best suited for me, and how do I choose?
All of our trips are designed to be suitable for everybody. Each one has its own unique characteristics. The best way to choose a trip among others is to check which one departs closer to the place you are staying.
Do you offer private trips?
Yes, we can organize a private tour, standard or tailor-made, just for you, your family, or your friends.
Should I book a standard trip or a private trip?
If you are happy to paddle with a mixed group or don’t want to spend as much money, then booking a standard group trip is the best way to go. Private trips really work best with groups of experienced paddlers or groups of friends who want to do something a bit different, would like to do a more advanced journey, or just want to have privacy and enjoy the trip just themselves.
Is lunch provided?
Yes, simple, nutritious, and flavorsome, the food is one of the pleasures during our trips. Halfway, we make a relaxing stop at a nice place to taste a picnic with freshly baked bread, organic garden-grown fruits and vegetables, homemade olive oil, and cheese.
What route will we take?
We usually perform our tours within a certain route, aiming to visit the most beautiful spots each trip has to offer; however, your guide is likely to choose an alternative route that suits the conditions on the day and the experience and needs of the group. This is the safest and best way to operate Kayaking trips.
Where do I park my car?
You can park your vehicle safely and for free near our meeting point. Feel free to ask us about parking conditions for a specific trip.
What happens if the weather is unsuitable?
A sea kayaking trip is either canceled, and we return your money, or rescheduled for another day.
How can I book a trip?
You can fill out the online booking form for Sea Kayak Monemvasia or the trip you wish to participate in.
Sustainability
We are committed to promoting sustainable tourism and preserving the natural beauty of the coastline for future generations. Our Sea Kayaking activity embodies this green character in several meaningful ways. Notably, the activity is powered solely by human effort, ensuring no fossil fuel is consumed during your exploration. By opting for paddle power, we minimise our carbon footprint and contribute to a cleaner environment.
Read more
Our super stable and easy-to-paddle single or double kayaks are made from high-quality, durable materials designed to have minimal impact on the environment. Additionally, we supply reusable waterproof bags to keep your belongings dry, reducing the need for single-use plastics.
We strongly encourage all participants to bring a reusable water bottle to minimize the use of plastic throwaways. Hydration is crucial, but it doesn’t have to come at the expense of our planet’s health. Refillable bottles can be topped up before departure to ensure you have ample water for the journey.
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond equipment and personal habits. We integrate environmental stewardship into our activities. During our trips, guides will provide space and bags for small beach clean-ups, encouraging participants to help maintain the pristine condition of the coastline. We ask everyone to collect any plastic or other debris encountered along the way, ensuring that we leave the places we visit better than we found them.
By following these sustainable practices, together we can ensure that the breathtaking beauty of the coastline remains undisturbed and that our sea kayaking experiences continue to be eco-friendly and enriching for all.
You can read more about our Sustainability Policy and Code of Conduct here.
What our guests say
The family car is full of children from the age of 13 until after the army. Most of us have rocketed a lot in the world, and it's still clear that Tour of the best we did. The views experience. The caves on the way and of course the guidance. No less. Perfect.
Very happy to have made this trip with our two children. Excellent guides and material, lovely spots visited even with a stunning surprise!
What guests say about their days with Explore Messinia — from trips across our program:
Read all of them on TripAdvisor and Google — also featured by Lonely Planet and National Geographic Traveler.
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