Amazing Sea Kayaking in Sian Ka’an on the Yucatan Peninsula

Are you looking for more outdoor adventure than lying on a lounger on a beach in Tulum? Then sea kayaking the natural beauty of Sian Ka’an on the Yucatan Peninsula will be for you. Sian Ka’an, a Biosphere Reserve near Tulum in the state of Quintana Roo, is an amazing place to see the wild beauty of native plants, animals, and sea life. It’s no wonder that Sian Ka’an is the largest protected ecosystem in the Caribbean. In 1987 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The underground freshwater rivers of Sian Ka’an are interconnected with the beloved cenotes of the Yucatan.

Mayan people once inhabited this region on the east coast of the Yucatán peninsula. They named it Sian Ka’an meaning ‘Origin of the Sky’. The vast acres of marsh and savanna is indeed where the sky is born.

Yucatan Outdoors, a local Mexican-owned sea kayaking company, offers paddling trips throughout Sian Ka’an. Their most popular trip is their Sian Ka’an Wetlands Sea Kayak and Snorkel trip. The six to seven-hour trip starts with snorkeling in a cenote. Then you marvel as you paddle through the ancient mangrove waterways of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere. Beginning paddlers can definitely participate. All sea kayaking skills are taught by accomplished guides.

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The Sian Ka’an Wetlands Sea Kayak and Snorkel trip

The Yucatan Outdoors trip meets in the early afternoon at Hotel Maya Cananas and Cenote, a cute retreat center near Sian Ka’an. In addition, the company can provide transportation from local Tulum hotels.

First, we met the guides and did fun introductions with the rest of the group. Then we were issued our snorkeling gear. The masks, snorkel, and fins were all high-quality, perfectly fitted equipment. A short walk brought us to Yaxchen cenote on the property. The guides went over safety and then explained the different kinds of mangroves we would see. They emphasized the importance of mangroves in preserving the wild water sources of the Yucatan.

We weren’t snorkeling for over a minute when the guides found a small crocodile lounging in the mangroves. It was sure exciting to see a croc up close (safely distanced close that is). The rest of the cenote swim introduced the group to the cycle of life in a cenote. We saw a few tropical fish and many birds. It was a great warmup (cool down?) for the sea kayaking portion of the excursion.

Yucatan Outdoors guides

Amazing outdoor experiences hinge on amazing trip leaders. Yucatan Outdoors certainly has excellent guides. Ricardo and Ismael were very knowledgeable about the natural history of Sian Ka’an. Both are self-taught. Ismael’s boyhood in a remote Mayan village kindled his passion for the animals and plants of the wetland wilderness along the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Ricardo attributed David Attenborough for his excellent nature knowledge. His imitation of Attenborough’s way of speaking had me in stitches. Listening to the guides was like stepping into a National Geographic special. Their colorful stories told of each creature’s place in the mangrove ecosystem.

Sea Kayaking PreTrip Prep

After the cenote swim, we were back in the vehicles to drive to our sea kayaking put-in in Sian Ka’an. Be prepared for a game of darting around the potholes on the bumpy road through Sian Ka’an. With all vehicle axles intact, we arrived at the sea kayak trip starting point.

After fitting gear, we paused for an early dinner in the tropical forest. The guides set up a table. Then they pulled out 3 kinds of tamales made by local women. The delicious tamales were still warm when we unwrapped them. The guides brought out a huge basket of fresh fruit and vegetables. They prepared a homemade guacamole-the best I’ve tasted in the Yucatan. Finally, fresh fruit completed the meal. After the yummy dinner, it was time to get in the sea kayaks.

Sea Kayaking Equipment for Paddling in Sian Ka’an

Yucatan Outdoors uses top-of-the-line sea kayaking gear for their trips. I’ve used countless sea kayak rental companies over the years. I’ve never seen such top-notch gear used as I did on this trip. Necky single and double kayaks, Werner paddles, and well-fitting lifejackets are provided by Yucatan Outdoors. Indeed, using the proper sea kayaking gear definitely makes for a comfortable, safe trip.

Wildlife of Sian Ka’an

Wildlife defines a wilderness area. As a result, Sian Ka’an has wildlife sightings at every turn through the mangroves.

We saw so many different types of herons on the trip. The Great Blue, Tri-Colored, White morph, Green, and Yellow-Crowned Night Herons perched on the mangroves for viewing.

And then surprise! Another crocodile was lounging in the shallow waters looking for dinner. We paddled right over the 5-foot crocodile. However, the croc decided the kayaks were not good for dinner. Phew!

The sea kayaking continued through winding mangrove channels. Without a guide, we would be totally lost in the mangrove maze.

The bird show continue as we paddled. Pterodactyl-like Magnificent Frigatebirds soared on the tropical thermals. Ricardo told me that frigatebirds are sky pirates who feed by stealing the food of other birds in mid-air. The young frigatebirds hone their mid-air thievery by trying to make each other drop the stick they are carrying so they can practice catching them.

We also saw flocks of Roseate Spoonbills glide in at sundown to roost on a mangrove island.

The two mangrove islands we drifted by were packed with roosting birds. Brown pelicans, white ibis, and tropical cormorants also squeezed into the party on the tiny islands.

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Sunset Sea Kayaking in Sian Ka’an

The paddling portion of the trip was about 3 hours. As evening descended we paddled the calm water with a slight tropical breeze. As Ismael promised earlier on the trip, big flocks of spoonbills and ibises came soaring into land on the islands as we watched the sunset. Even if you are not a birder, it’s hard not to be astounded by the sight of so many beautiful birds.

We watched the sunset over the wild horizon of Sian Ka’an. A crescent moon rose to guide us on our return journey. It was exhilarating paddling in the growing darkness. Fortunately, the guides knew the route like the back of their hand. Plus, the staff on the beach turned on a strong light that we followed like a beacon to shore.

Other Yucatan Outdoors Trips

Yucatan Outdoors has a few more spectacular trips from jungle biking to snorkeling in cenotes. I really want to do the wildlife jungle hiking trip to Punta Laguna, the spider monkey reserve, to visit the Mayan community that preserves this area. Check out all their trips here.

For more experienced sea kayakers, Yucatan Outdoors will arrange adventurous paddling trips in the Caribbean Sea to visit the Mesoamerican Coral Barrier Reef, the second-largest reef in the world. Talk to Antonio, the owner of Yucatan Outdoors. He is eager to have people see the awesome beauty and wildlife of the whole area around Sian Ka’an.

Logistics for Sea Kayaking in Sian Ka’an

Renting a car is the easiest way to get to the more remote places on the Yucatan Peninsula. Driving in Mexico is quite reasonable. Mexican drivers are predictable and the roads are good. I use Discover Cars for booking a car in the Yucatan. They work with reputable rental agencies and offer reasonable rates.

Make sure to book a place in Tulum to stay after the trip. We stayed in a lovely beachfront hotel on the beach in Tulum that allowed us to wake up to a majestic sunrise each morning. Posada Lamar is a charming, reasonably priced hotel with a stunning beach. The cute bungalows were nestled around a gorgeous pool and a continental breakfast is served outside your room.

Wrap Up of Sea Kayaking in Sian Ka’an

It is a treasure to be able to explore a true wilderness area on a sea kayaking adventure. Sea kayaking in Sian Ka’an measured up to everything expected on a great wilderness trip. That is, amazing sights, plentiful wildlife, fabulous guides, comfortable equipment, and good food.

If you are looking for other amazing outdoor adventures on the Yucatan Peninsula check out my post on 12 more adventures all over the Yucatan.

I was a guest of Yucatan Outdoors on the sea kayaking trip. However, my opinions are my honest assessment of the experience.

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