Best Natural Areas for Kayaking on the Yucatan Peninsula

Introduction to Kayaking on the Yucatan Peninsula

One of the best ways to see the natural beauty of the Yucatan Peninsula is on a kayaking trip. On kayaking excursions, I’ve visited many of the Yucatan’s unique ecosystems, including mangrove forests, coastal lagoons, and freshwater lakes. I’ve seen flamingos, massive bird colonies, crocodiles, and other wildlife from a kayak on these trips. I kayaked with outstanding outdoor adventure touring companies. All the outfitters were passionate about the areas we paddled. Without a doubt, they are steadfast advocates for the preservation of these vulnerable ecosystems.

The three trip areas I share in this article cover Sian Ka’an near Tulum, Lake Bacalar near Belize, and Celestun on the west coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. These trips are some of the best outdoor adventures in the Yucatan.

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Sea Kayaking in Sian Ka’an

Sian Ka’an is a Biosphere Reserve near Tulum in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is the largest protected ecosystem in the Caribbean. Besides having tropical forests and a large marine section containing a barrier reef, this biosphere has mangrove forests with amazing paddling sights. There are over 300 species of birds in Sian Ka’an.

I did a sunset kayak tour with Yucatan Outdoors, a sustainably operated adventure travel company in Tulum. The mission of the company is to provide outstanding, high-quality nature and cultural expeditions which benefit the local environment and communities. Therefore, the guides and the owner were intently focused on ensuring paddlers understood the unique and special environments of Sian Ka’an. Some of the tour guides were Mayan young men who had grown up in Sian Ka’an villages. Consequently, they could share their profound love of the area and their indigenous knowledge. All the guides were self-taught experts on the wildlife and birdlife seen on the trip.

Sian Ka’an Wetlands Sea Kayak and Snorkel Trip

The wetland sea kayak and snorkel trip hosted by Yucatan Outdoors is an excellent way to avoid the mid-day heat, see tropical wildlife, and witness an awe-inspiring sunset in the heart of the aquatic wilds. The six to seven-hour trip starts with snorkeling in a cenote.

The trip starts in the early afternoon at Hotel Maya Cananas and Cenote, a retreat center near Sian Ka’an. If needed, transportation from local Tulum hotels can be provided.

It is clear right away that the guides love what they are doing and want to provide the best experience. We walked over to the cenote to snorkel once group introductions were made. The guide explained the importance of the mangroves in the local ecosystem. At first glance, mangroves look pretty unremarkable and all the same. However, mangroves are essential for erosion control, water purity, wildlife diversity, and aquatic species reproduction. They are also essential in mitigating climate change. In sum, most of the ecosystems we love on the Yucatan Peninsula are dependent on mangrove health.

Right away the guides pointed out a crocodile resting in the mangroves beside the cenote. It seems as if every cenote in the Yucatan has its resident crocodile, so I wasn’t surprised. Luckily, the food sources for the crocs are plentiful so they don’t need a snorkeler meal.

Yuxchen cenote was beautifully clear and had a few fish to see underwater. Mostly, it wasn’t as remarkable as other cenotes in Mexico but it was fun to swim around with the guides and group before the kayaking adventure began.

Sea kayaking trip in Sian Ka’an

Next, we drove over to the put-in for the Sian Ka’an sea kayaking trip. The road into the biosphere was Class 5 with many car-eating holes. I survived, but barely. I always say that the most dangerous part of an outdoor trip is the drive to the starting point. In this case, it couldn’t be more accurate.

My rental car was a real trooper in handling the road. I use Discover Cars to find the best deal on rental cars in Mexico. They work with quality car rental agencies to give a competitive price.

At the put-in, we stopped for a pre-trip snack. The guides pulled out all the stops with a beautiful fruit spread and homemade guacamole prepared tableside. The center point of the meal was the still-warm homemade tamales made by local Mayan women.

Yucatan Outdoors uses top-notch gear. You can choose between paddling a single or a double kayak. The comfortable life jackets and lightweight paddles made kayaking a breeze. Proper sea kayak gear will make or break a trip. Therefore, it was fabulous to have such impressive equipment.

The wildlife of Sian Ka’an

The paddling portion of the trip was about 3 hours. First, we paddled in the mangrove channels that were packed with birds everywhere you looked. So many types of herons lounged on the mangrove bushes. We also saw a crocodile resting in the sand amid the mangroves.

When the sun began to set, we paddled across open water to several bird islands in the bay. Huge flocks of birds covered the sky. The guides told about how the birds came in from the swamp to roost overnight on the islands. The timing was everything so we could see this mass influx of bird life in the air.

Magnificent Frigatebirds cavorted through the air, riding the thermal updrafts. Soon a flock of pink-tinted Roseate Spoonbirds flew over and landed on the island. As we kayaked closer, we could see that the islands were packed with roosting birds. Brown pelicans, white ibis, and tropical cormorants had also come in to roost. Even if you are not a birder, the whole scene was a wilderness delight.

Wrap up of sea kayaking in Sian Ka’an on the Yucatan Peninsula

There are other great boat trips from Tulum to Sian Ka’an to see the rich diversity of the biosphere. However, to paddle yourself into a wilderness area with no other people besides your own group is very special. Yutacan Outdoors is definitely a company you want to go with for a fabulous paddling adventure in the wilds of Sian Kian.

There are so many choices of accommodations 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.

For a more comprehensive description of this trip visit my post on Amazing Sea Kayaking in Sian Ka’an on the Yucatan Peninsula.

Kayaking on Lake Bacalar on the Yucatan Peninsula

It’s hard to describe the colors of Lake Bacalar with any adjectives that don’t include stunning. This Lagoon of Seven Colors begs you to find a name for the shades of blue you see there.

Lake Bacalar is located in the state of Quintana Roo in the extreme southeast corner of the Yucatan Peninsula very near the country of Belize. The Pueblo Magico town of Bacalar is the base for kayaking adventures on Lake Bacalar.

The town of Bacalar has everything needed to enjoy an authentic Mexican experience. It could still be described as a sleepy town, especially if you travel the side streets. Great restaurants circle the square and line the main roads.

I took the bus from Merida to Bacalar for 33 USD. It’s a similar price from Cancun. You can book the ticket on Busbud. The earlier you book, the cheaper it is. It’s easy to get around the area by bicycle or taxi so a car is unnecessary.

Sea kayaking trip on Lake Bacalar

I did a tour with Active Nature to some of the more remote parts of Lake Bacalar. The company operates out of a magnificent ecovillage in the jungle, Villas Ecotucan, located north of town. Gunnar is a certified ACA sea kayak instructor who leads the kayaking trips. His wife Jacqueline guides the land-based trips such as tropical birding and a jungle walk. Together, they have introduced many visitors to the flora and fauna of Lake Bacalar.

Active Nature kayak trips include sunrise and sunset paddles, as well as full-day kayak trips. They also offer overnight kayak camping trips with all the kayaking gear needed.

Gunnar builds amazing wooden kayaks and I was fortunate enough to be able to paddle one for the tour. These skillfully made crafts are light and easy to paddle. Paddling a homemade boat out of wood reminded me of the original kayaks of the early Inuit and Aleut people in the Arctic.

The trip started with an early morning paddle near the shore to spot birds and learn about the stromatolites, layered structures of sedimentary rock, lurking at the water level. Lake Bacalar hosts the largest concentration of these unique living freshwater organisms in the world.

Soon we crossed over the width of the lake while the remarkable shades of blues bloomed with the sunlight. Very chalky agua all the way to indigo blue, there are certainly more than seven colors in the Lagoon of Seven Colors.

The importance of mangroves

We soon entered the mangroves through a rushing drainage river. We explored this ecosystem while Gunnar regaled us with fascinating stories about the nature we saw. I learned how vital mangroves are for protection against hurricanes. Their interwoven roots hold the soil and absorb the excess water. When builders cut mangroves to develop a property, they are putting that property in jeopardy of flooding and devastation. Education about the importance of mangroves is the key to preserving the ecosystem. Active Nature is an example of an outdoor adventure company doing this critical work.

Logistics of Kayaking on Lake Bacalar

I stayed in an Airbnb property right on the lake. If you want to live out your tiny house dreams, this is the place to do it. The rustic cabin situated on a palm tree-lined property directly on the lakeshore is called Little Paradise Bacalar.

The 14 x 14 square-foot cabin is indeed a little paradise. It is beautifully decorated and has screens on three sides to let in the cool Caribbean breezes. A refrigerator, a coffee maker, and a fan are valued amenities. The squeaky clean bathroom is outside a few steps away from the cabin. It is shared by guests of another small cabin rental on the property. A kitchen under a spacious palapa is where you can fix simple meals.

There are three easy-to-paddle kayaks to explore the lagoon included in the rental. In addition, I used one of the old beach bikes they had to get around. The location of the Airbnb is perfect to make kayak trips to two cenotes on the lake and to Isla de los Pajaros (Bird Island).

If the Airbnb cabin is unavailable, try these recommended stays on the lake.

Hotel Aldea 19 Bacalar was close to my cabin and, from the water, looked like a place I’d like to stay. They have great waterfront amenities and their breakfast is excellent.

Villas Ecotucan. The kayaking company I paddled with, Active Nature, operates out of this charming eco-resort in the jungle. The electricity that powers the cute little cabanas comes from solar panels. It’s about a 10-minute drive from town so a car can be useful. Conversely, just spend your time at the resort absorbing the natural tranquillity of the lake and jungle and forget about driving.

Wrap Up of Kayaking on Lake Bacalar on the Yucatan Peninsula

Besides trips with Active Nature, there are numerous other ways to kayak on Lake Bacalar. Rental kayaks are widely available and most hotels on the water have kayaks and paddleboards. A trip out to Bird Island or one of the cenotes on the lake is wonderful. In addition, kayaking through the swift water of Los Rapidos is a beautiful adventure.

If you want to read about all my adventures on Lake Bacalar, visit my post on The Ultimate Guide to Kayaking on Lake Bacalar.

Sea Kayaking with Flamingos in Celestun

Thousands of flamingos gather in the shallows of the Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve near Celestun in the winter months. A wonderful way to see these pink-hued birds plus other rare birds and wildlife is to kayak through the mangrove channels out to the reserve in the early morning.

I did a kayak trip with an excellent eco-tourism company called the Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinitun. It was a jaw-dropping experience to see the amazing bird life of the mangrove swamps near Celestun. Besides birds, the guide showed us a small crocodile and its babies. We paddled quite close so it was super exciting.

The tour starts very early in the morning at either 5:30 or 6 am. The birds and wildlife are most active then. You start out the trip using a headlamp that they supply. The first part walking over boardwalks above the swamp is filled with information by the guide about the mangroves. Our guide Isaac was incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic about nature. He was a delight.

Just when it is getting light, you board the double kayaks to explore the swamp. You do the tour in self-propelled kayaks or have a guide-propelled larger boat. The channels through the mangroves are winding and narrow which made the kayaking fun. Unique birds we saw included different kinds of herons, egrets, kingfishers, vultures, magnificent frigatebirds, and pelicans.

As the sun crested the horizon we followed the coppery-colored channels to the heart of the mangroves, a heart-shaped opening alive with bird song. We watched a little blue heron high in the bushes. Soon we were back in the channels discovering new birds around every turn. Isaac’s enthusiasm for the wilds we paddled through was contagious.

Seeing flamingos in the wild

Finally, we emerged into the main channel of the Ría Celestun. This is the river that the motorboat tours traverse. I have been on one of the motorboat tours previously and was able to see many flamingos so I recommend them too. However, if you want a more informational tour focused on the entire ecosystem of the area, do the Guardians of the Mangroves of Dzinitun tour.

As we paddled our kayaks along the river, huge flocks of flamingos flew overhead. They looked like flying pink crosses in the sky. After about 30 minutes of paddling on the river, we beached at a muddy landing and walked on the boardwalks again. This time our destination was a huge lagoon with groups of flamingos feeding. Isaac taught us how to tell the age of the flamingos by how pink they are. Baby flamingos are born white and gain their pink color by ingesting tiny crustaceans rich with carotenoids.

After spending time watching all kinds of birds plus the flamingos at the lagoon, we boarded a tuk-tuk (motorcycle taxi) to ride back to the start of the trip. All in all, the half-day trip was a prime adventure in the magical areas around Celestun. For a more complete overview of this trip, read my post on the Best Kayaking Trip to See the Flamingos of Celestun.

Logistics of Kayaking to See Flamingos in Celestun

Since the kayak trip in the mangroves starts so early in the morning, it is a good idea to arrive the day before and stay overnight. Celestun is a beautiful beach town with a family vibe. Wonderful seafood restaurants are right on the beach. And the sunsets are worth staying over.

There are two simple local places on the beach I have stayed at in Celestun. I recommend either for an overnight stay in this sleepy town with a flavor of real Mexico.

Hotel Gutierez has comfortable, air-conditioned rooms with the beach out the front door. There is a terrace to relax and watch the sunsets. The hotel restaurant is fabulous for a big authentic Mexican breakfast after your tour.

Hotel San Julio also has beachfront accommodations. The rooms are clean and have refrigerators. There are beach loungers and shady palapas to enjoy the beach. They offer a secure parking area.

If you are driving to Celestun, it takes about 1.5 hours to drive from Merida on good roads. I always rent a car to get around on the Yucatan Peninsula. Driving is easy and you can see so much more by car.

I use and recommend Discover Cars for renting a car in Mexico. They work with reputable local car rental agencies to get you the best price. Remember that most US car insurance doesn’t cover Mexico. Also, Mexico requires supplemental liability insurance that you buy through the car rental company. So when you first see the too-good-to-be-true listed price of the rental, know that you will actually need to buy additional insurance.

Kayaking Gear for a Day Trip

My recommended essential gear for a warm weather kayaking day trip with links to where to buy it.

Clothes

Wide brim hat or baseball cap

Long-sleeved synthetic shirt or rash guard for sun protection

Quick dry shorts

Teva or Chaco sandals

Gear

Waterproof phone case

Dry bags

Reef safe sunscreen

Water bottle

Sunglasses with floating retainer

Wrap Up of Kayaking on the Yucatan Peninsula

I have shared my favorite kayak trips for those who want to explore the wildest areas of the Yucatan Peninsula. In each case, I went with a highly regarded outfitter with guides who have outstanding knowledge and enthusiasm for the natural wonder of their local ecosystems. They all had comfortable and safe kayaking equipment to make the trip enjoyable.

You can read more details about the specific area on the dedicated posts I have for each locale. I hope you get to experience these parts of the Yucatan peninsular that many people don’t get a chance to experience.

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I was a guest of the three kayak companies mentioned in this article. I was not paid nor asked to write a possible review. All opinions are from my honest experience.

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