Types of Kayak | Bioluminescent Tour in Florida

kayak ride

Before your kayaking excursion, it is recommended to learn about the different types of kayaks in order to make the best decision for your experience. There are usually two different types of kayaks, one where you sit inside of it, or also called a sit-in kayak, or one that you sit on top of, or also called sit-on-top kayaks.

When you’re searching for the right kayak for you and your personal experience, which one you want will greatly depend on what you see is best. They both have various similarities and differences.

Some similarities may include:

– You get a fully immersive kayaking experience

– Very stable

– Easy to use

For sit-on-top kayaks, they differ from sit-inside kayaks because they don’t feature a partially enclosed bottom. Sit-on-top kayaks are easy to get in and out of, making it optimal if you would like to get in and out of the water freely. This feature also makes this type of kayak beneficial for those who may be nervous paddlers or paddlers with kids. Sit-on-top kayaks allow you to move freely and can be greatly beneficial especially in warm waters. They also have tiny holes in the boat so that water drains through them, making them very secure. However, a downside may be that it is guaranteed that you will get wet. If you are planning on not getting wet while kayaking, a sit-on-top kayak is not the way to go.

Sit-inside kayaks have an enclosed bottom, allowing you to fully sit within the kayak, keeping your legs and bottom half dry. There are also oftentimes waterproof compartments within sit-inside kayaks which allows you to keep your things dry and safe. This type of kayak is optimal for those who might be kayaking on colder waters, or who want to stay dry during their kayaking experience. A downside is that you don’t have as much freedom to move in and out of the boat, unlike the sit-on-top kayak where you can easily move on and off. If you aren’t planning on getting in the water or wanting to get wet, this may be the best kayak for you. Another downside is that they don’t have the tiny drainage holes, as mentioned above, and if the kayak were to flip over, it would likely fill up with water.

Depending on the type of kayaking experience you want to have, your kayak choice will differ. If you are seeking out kayaking excursions here in Florida, the decision is usually based on the type of water you’re in. For instance, on mellow lakes and oceans, most people will opt for the sit-on-top kayak, as they can easily move on and off the kayak in order to swim about and enjoy the waters. Kayaking on rushing rivers or choppier waters, a sit-inside kayak may be more suitable. Again, it will also depend on your preference, as this is your personal experience.

During tours of Florida’s beautiful oceans, lakes, and rivers, it is important to experience your tour with the right kayaks. As I mentioned before, the above conditions can play a role in which kayak you choose. If you are unsure about which type of kayak to use for a particular excursion, or water conditions, ask your tour guide or excursion leader for their best suggestion. After all, you don’t want to use the wrong kayak on particular waters and not having your desired experience as a result.

For a specific type of kayaking excursion like bioluminescent kayaking tours, it can be recommended to use a sit-inside kayak. Bioluminescent kayaking tours consist of kayaking at night, while viewing the beautiful bioluminescent sea life that glows neon blue under the ocean’s surface. This immersive, once in a lifetime excursion allows for you to be right where the action is and see amazing sea life up-close. Since these excursions are done at night, it can be beneficial to use a sit-inside boat, as the temperatures are lower and you can wear longer clothing inside the boat. It is also no secret that Florida has an immense amount of bugs and it is very likely that you will get bit my various different insects. If you were to use a sit-on-top kayak, it is more likely that you will get bit more. A sit-inside boat also permits you from getting wet, so you can stay dry, restrict insect bites, and be able to just focus on the excursion as a pleasurable activity.

If you are looking for kayaking experiences of various kinds, we here at Florida Adventurer are here to assist you! We offer a multitude of different kayaking excursions including bioluminescent kayaking, as well as animal-spotting kayaking. Our expert guides take great pride in providing amazing kayaking experiences to Florida locals and visitors alike. In order to get more information about kayaking experiences, give us a call at (321) 203-0700, or visit our website!