Most Beautiful Places You Can Only See By Kayak

If you are planning an adventurous trip for the summer, make sure you include paddling a kayak in your to-do list.

The reasons are endless – it's exhilarating; you get access to remote locations, the serenity and peace is relaxing; you're also working out because you're strenuously using your core and upper body. As with any sport, kayaking is a great stress reliever; and, of course, it keeps you cool during the hot summer days.

The stunningly beautiful places on the following list offer a chance to see remote and quiet beaches, caves, marine life, to name a few, from a unique perspective. Nothing beats the vintage point of view, even at night.

The best way to see the well-known Lake Superior, inland streams that are amazing for paddling, waterfalls and other lakes, is with a kayak. You won't get closer to the natural beauty and magnificence of the park – counting the many colors of the sandstone cliffs you'll be passing by and exploring the cutaway rock caves that peer into the clear waters of the lake.

Sea kayaking is the way to explore this park in far northern Queensland. It  has some of the oldest and most spectacular rainforests in the world and an exceptional coastline. The waters off of Cape Tribulation, a remote headland, are part of the Great Barrier Reef where you can see some of the most mind-blowing colors on the planet. You'll also likely encounter dolphins, sea turtles, whales and sharks.

Clear your schedule for the night and go on an out of this world kayaking trip. It's a truly unique experience. Where else will you see glow-worms from the cockpit of a kayak? The feeling is magical. The caves on Lake McLaren are mysterious that way. Float beneath iridescent worms and then let the moonlight and stars guide you back to shore.

People visit Belize for its beaches and reefs. To see them even better and enjoy more views that are far more stunning than from the shore, get in a kayak and paddle. Otherwise you'll miss the chance to explore the island's fascinating channels, lagoons and mangrove marshes. Also, this is your chance to see saltwater crocodiles and owls.

Norway has so many fjords and rivers that it's no surprise kayaking has become so popular. The cliffs are very, very steep and some places are completely out-of-the-way and you can't reach them unless you are on a small boat. Seeing the majestic fjords while in a kayak is one of the most exhilarating but also relaxing ways to experience the country. The Fjords have everything you may want – beautiful coasts, waterfalls, slopes, incredible inlets, and rivers appropriate for paddlers of all levels.

Who hasn't heard of Scotland's natural beauty, copious wildlife, stunning shores and remote islands? See all of this in one day on a kayaking trip. The Shetland Islands are the northernmost archipelago of the U.K. Most of the 100 islands are uninhabited. Get close to dolphins, whales, birds and otters and explore caves and channels.

Ba Be Lake is about 150 miles from Ha Noi located in the Bac Kan province of Northern Vietnam, one of the most remote, beautiful and least touristy areas of the country. You will see ancient stones caves, and huge coastal waterfalls. The lake is the highest in all of Vietnam at almost 500 feet. Anywhere you turn you'll be owe-struck by limestone mountains and lavish forests.

If you could choose how to explore this icy island, don't hesitate to pick kayaking. The melting Petermann Glacier fills in the lower areas of the glacier and creates an unbelievable shade of clear light-blue water. This is also the reason why the river had a different shape every year. Kayaking the river is really the only way you can truly immerse yourself in its beauty and feel its uniqueness.

The southernmost lake in the East African Rift system, and the third largest on the continent, is best explored by kayak. In just one trip you will get to see amazing remote beaches, uninhabited deserted small islands and rich wildlife. Because most of the lake is pretested, the water is clean and the land has remained mostly untouched.

This 86-mile-long river is among the most beautiful on the planet and the most famous for family water adventures like rafting and kayaking, which is Slovenians' favorite summer activity. Winding through canyons of rock, amid mountainous scenery, the river is best known for its unique color that stretches the whole length.

Not far from Bariloche, Argentina, a perfect gateway to outdoor recreation in the area, Victoria Island is a natural reserve set amid one of the most beautiful clear water lakes in the area. The reserve is accessible by boat, but simply paddling the lake will afford breathtaking views. Also, the Torres del Paine National Park has many rivers, lakes and unique shoreline landscapes, making a kayaking trip a perfect way to explore them.

The 17 miles of ocean shores is one of the most popular attractions on Kauai. The 4,000-foot tall cliffs along the Napali coastline are some of the most dramatic in the world. The best way to explore the coast is by kayak, regardless of the fact that you can't access the area by car. You'll see dolphins, seals, sea turtles, sea caves, mangoes, waterfalls, and many stunning and secluded beaches.

This 106-mile fork is the second largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states. It begins in alpine territory and ends in canyon country. The best time to go is between June and August. Kayaking is the best way to experience the rugged land. You will be dropping about 3,000 feet over the course of the river. You will see leftovers of broken-down log cabins after people had tried to settle.

The West Fork of the White rises as an insignificant creek near the Ohio border in central Indiana and winds gently westward, according to Indiana Department of Natural Resources. But it soon becomes a substantial river. Near the center of the state it abruptly turns south as it builds from the strength of hundreds of creeks and streams. Near Martinsville, the banks are lined with woods of sycamore and oaks. You'll see Canada geese, ducks, fox and herons.

Part of what makes the Kenai Fjords National Park, where Fox Island is, so appealing to adventure enthusiasts is its remoteness. The best way to get to the scary cliffs, protected coves and beautiful beaches is to paddle there. Your companions in the water will most likely be sea lions, otters and whales, while those in the air will be bald eagles and puffins.