FEATURE: Sea Kayaking

Fort ahoy!
6. Rising Tide Expeditions, Gabarus, N.S.
Want to know more about Canadian history? Curious about kayaking but never tried it? Satisfy both urges on one of Rising Tide’s half-day or full-day tours of Louisbourg Harbour. “Approaching the Fortress of Louisbourg from the water,” says owner Jacqueline Holmes, “is spectacular.” Tours include commentary on the natural and cultural history of the area, and the company — which offers multi-day trips as well — also guides guests through the St. Peters Canal National Historic Site into Bras d’Or Lake. www.risingtideexpeditions.ca

Oyster bay
7. Malpeque Bay Kayak Tour Ltd., Malpeque, P.E.I.
Get whisked away to another era with historic tales about Malpeque Bay’s original inhabitants, the Mi’kmaq, on a kayak outing with Malpeque Bay Kayak Tours. The company offers three-hour and day-long tours in shallow parts of the bay, which is perfect for beginners because the waters are warm and mostly waist deep, says owner Anne Murray (not the Anne Murray). Once, she hosted 10 potato farmers from Idaho who showed up in plaid shirts, jeans and work boots. If they can kayak, so can you. www.peikayak.ca

Cliffs and clams
8. By-The-Sea-Kayaking, Victoria-by-the-Sea, P.E.I.
Take in the red cliffs and sandy beaches of Prince Edward Island from the water on a full-day tour from the Confederation Bridge to Victoria-by-the-Sea. Or try the “I Dig Therefore I Clam” outing — paddle out to a sandbar at low tide and dig for your dinner. You’ll be rewarded with a bowl of fresh chowder (which you can work off with a moonlight paddle or one of By-The-Sea’s fitness trips). www.bytheseakayaking.ca

Bonne fête
9. Gros Morne Adventures, Norris Point, N.L.
Join a marine biologist on an interpretive Sea Kayaking for Nature Lovers trip and discover the unique marine ecology and unusual geology of Bonne Bay, which reaches nearly 20 kilometres into Gros Morne National Park. See bald eagles, belted kingfishers, common and Arctic terns and, yes, whales. “We see whales regularly,” says owner Bob Hicks. “They’re always the big highlight.” So are the apres-trip seafood dinners, prepared by your guide. www.grosmorneadventures.com

Paddles with whales
10. Stan Cook Sea Kayak Adventure, St. John’s
Stan Cook Jr., whose father started the company in 1970, had a problem: paddlers on his excursions were so enthralled by whales, they didn’t want to head back to shore. His solution? The Go and Tow tour, which features a ride back to home base in a boat to maximize your time with whales on the water. “We paddle in a very sheltered fiord,” he says, “and the whales come right in there and swim around the kayaks.” Stan Cook will also take you into caves and behind waterfalls, and offers various multi-day and kayaking/hiking trips. www.wildnfld.ca