Faraglioni Sea Kayaking
Best: Jun–Sep. Also good: Apr, May & Oct, Nov.
Peak river flows, glassy lagoon conditions, and canyon kayaking windows.
Whether sea kayaking into the flooded slot canyons of Lake Powell, navigating the tranquil mangrove lagoons of Sian Ka’an, or running pristine whitewater in Costa Rica, water levels and seasonal winds dictate the experience.
Faraglioni Sea Kayaking
Best: Jun–Sep. Also good: Apr, May & Oct, Nov.
Volcanic Natural Pools & Coastline
Sea kayaking around coastal volcanic sea stacks and paddling the serene twin volcanic crater lakes of Sete Cidades.
Best: Jul–Aug. Also good: May, Jun & Sep, Oct.
Wild River Estuary Kayaking
Wild river estuary kayaking along the pristine, jungle-fringed Tatai River into unexplored mangrove corridors.
Best: Jan–Mar & Dec. Also good: Apr, May & Oct, Nov.
Glassy Lagoon Paddling
Paddleboarding and outrigger canoe paddling across glassy, protected coral lagoons in Bora Bora and Moorea.
Best: Apr–Oct. Also good: Jan–Mar & Nov, Dec.
Whitsunday Catamaran Sailing
Catamaran sailing and private yacht charters navigating through the 74 tropical islands of the Whitsundays and secluded coral bays.
Best: Apr–Oct. Also good: Jan–Mar & Nov, Dec.
Mangrove & Lagoon Kayaking
Kayaking through coastal mangrove forests and paddling between uninhabited offshore islets in the Gulf of Thailand.
Best: Jan–Mar & Dec. Also good: Apr, May & Oct, Nov.
Coastal Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking under dramatic limestone cliffs and exploring sea caves along the rugged Cap de Formentor and northern coastline.
Best: May–Oct. Also good: Mar, Apr & Nov.
Laguna Manialtepec Bioluminescence
Night kayaking on Laguna Manialtepec through bioluminescent waters glowing neon blue beneath mangrove canopy tunnels.
Best: Jul–Oct. Also good: Jan–Jun & Nov, Dec.
Sian Ka'an Kayaking
Kayaking through ancient Mayan trade canals and crystal-clear mangrove wetlands in the UNESCO-listed Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
Best: Jan–Mar & Dec. Also good: Apr–Aug & Oct, Nov.
Los Haitises
Kayaking through coastal mangrove tunnels and around towering karst limestone mogotes in Los Haitises National Park.
Best: Jan–Mar. Also good: Apr–Aug & Nov, Dec.
Channel Islands Kayaking
Ocean kayaking through sea caves at Scorpion Anchorage on Santa Cruz Island in Channel Islands National Park.
Best: Apr–Oct. Also good: Jan–Mar & Nov, Dec.
Lagoon Kayaking & Paddleboarding
Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding across ultra-clear, calm shallow turquoise atoll lagoons.
Best: Jan–Apr. Also good: May–Dec.
Peñas Blancas Safari Float & Río Toro
Class I wildlife safari floats on the Peñas Blancas River and thrilling Class III–IV whitewater rafting through the deep canyon of the Río Toro.
Best: Jun–Nov. Also good: Jan–May & Dec.
Rio Grande Rafting
Traditional 30-foot bamboo raft journeys down the lush Rio Grande river valley captained by licensed local river pilots.
Best: Jan–Feb & Dec. Also good: Mar–Aug & Nov.
Glacier River Rafting
Glacial river rafting down the Class III–IV rapids of the Lütschine River beneath the North Face of the Eiger.
Best: Jun–Aug. Also good: May & Sep, Oct.
Lake Powell & Lower Antelope Canyon
Kayaking through the flooded sandstone slot labyrinths of Lower Antelope Canyon and remote sea kayak trails on Lake Powell.
Best: May & Oct. Also good: Mar, Apr, Jun–Sep & Nov.
Russian River Kayaking
Kayaking down the scenic Russian River through old-growth redwood forests and wildlife-rich estuaries opening into the Pacific Ocean.
Best: May–Aug. Also good: Mar, Apr & Sep–Nov.
Slot Canyon Canyoneering
Technical canyoneering and rope rappelling through deep sandstone slot canyons in the Zion backcountry requiring Wilderness permits.
Best: May & Sep–Oct. Also good: Mar, Apr, Jun & Nov.
The Pacuare River offers thrilling Class III–IV rapids year-round, with peak water volume occurring during the green season months from June through November.
Late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October) offer warm water temperatures and calm morning winds, avoiding intense mid-summer midday heat.
December through April provides dry, sunny weather with clear river waters and gentle currents for bamboo rafting down the lush valley.