When you think of kayaking you may think of gloriously hot summer days out on the water soaking up the sunshine. Of course, days like that are fantastic but the colder and crisper months can sometimes be far more spectacular.
In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the best times of year to get out on the paddle. Hopefully, we can convince some of you to refrain from locking away your yak when the summer turns to autumn and the autumn turns to winter...
What’s the Best Season for Kayaking?
There is no real “best” season to go kayaking. If you love the sport and are passionate about the water nothing will stop you from getting out enjoying the nature that surrounds you. However, certain times of the year are particularly enjoyable if you love illuminating sunrises, breathtaking sunsets, and moody-looking views.
The summer is a great time of the year to head out in your kayak to enjoy the heat while it’s there. The spring is a fantastic time of year to watch mother nature recover from her sleepy slumber. Autumn is the perfect time to watch the colours turn from vibrant green to shades of gold, red, and yellow. Finally, winter is the time to get out and experience cool crisp sunrises over frosty white landscapes.
So, answering the question “what’s the best season for kayaking” is a tough one indeed. The best season for kayaking really comes down to what you enjoy the most. If you love nature and enjoy watching the seasons change, every month has something to offer. Once you’ve kayaked year-round there will probably be one or two seasons that stick out to you though.
Personally, I enjoy the colder months the most. I absolutely love autumn as the leaves change colour and winter is in a close second when the trees become bare, the air becomes pure, and the frost encroaches on the banks...
What’s Our Favourite Thing About Kayaking in the Cooler Months?
As I mentioned, my personal favourite time to head out on the water in my kayak is autumn and winter. There are many reasons I love kayaking in these cooler months, so in this section, I’ll outline these for you to see. Kayaking during these cooler seasons certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you love nature and enjoy viewing it in its prime then it’s something for you. Of course, as the saying goes, “there’s no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing”. So, if you plan on taking to the water this autumn and winter be sure to dress appropriately.
In this section, i’ll first give you a simple bullet point list of my top five favourite reasons I love kayaking in the cooler months. Then I’ll go into a bit more detail.
- Beautiful Colours
- Stunning Sunrises & Sunsets
- Peace & Quiet
- Crisp Clean Mornings
- Excellent Predator Fishing Opportunities
My Top 5 Reasons to Get Out in the Kayak During Autumn and Winter
1. Beautiful Colours
One of the best things about getting out on your kayak during the autumn months is the atmospheric colours that the season brings. When the leaves turn from greens to shades of gold, there’s no better place to see the spectacle than the water. Paddling past tree-lined banks while in autumnal colours is extremely rewarding.
2. Stunning Sunrises & Sunsets
Autumn and winter are two of the best seasons to experience truly breathtaking sunrises and sunsets. Whether it’s the golden hue over autumn leaves or a yellow haze over frosty or snow-covered banks - you’re sure to enjoy these times of day at these times of the year. If you’re willing to get up early or head out late and embrace the cold you will be well rewarded.
3. Peace & Quiet
The peace and quiet of the colder months is another thing that I love about kayaking at this time of year. This goes for winter more than autumn, but generally, most average people refrain from getting out on the water as the temperature drops. This means you’ll often find yourself completely alone in nature during cool crisp mornings on the water. If you love healing solitude alone in nature, then you will appreciate paddling in the winter.
4. Crisp Clean Mornings
The crisp clean air of a cold morning is different from any other time of the year. Everything seems impressively pure as the seasons change from humid and hot to dry and cool. This is definitely a subtle reason to head out on the bank during the colder months but boy will you appreciate it once you’re out.
5. Excellent Predator Fishing Opportunities
If you enjoy fishing and love spinning and dead baiting from your kayak, then autumn and winter are great times for you. As you may know, if you are a keen predator angler, the autumn and winter are the best times to target pike when they’re fatest. 90% of my largest pike have been captured during the winter and a good 30% of those were from my kayak. There is nothing better than hooking up to a good fish when the air is cool and the water is quiet.
The Perks of Each Kayaking Season
Although I absolutely love kayaking 9in the autumn and winter, they certainly aren’t the only seasons fit for kayaking. In fact, I appreciate every season for what it is and enjoy getting out on my local water at least once in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. Watching the seasons change and being in tune with nature is one of the perks of being outdoorsy and kayak-obsessed. Here are a few things I love about kayaking in each season.
1. Spring
The spring is a wonderful time of the year to head out on your kayak. It’s the perfect time to watch the flora and fauna in your local area slowly start to spring back to life. It’s a fantastic time to spot otters and other marine life as well as waterfowl and songbirds. It’s also a lovely time to observe the colours of the bank change from bare and brown to blossoms of white and pink.
Spring is also a wonderful time for sunrises. While the air is still cool and crisp in the morning and light fog engulfs the waterway, the sun can provide a wonderful light show with colours of pink, orange, and yellow. The birdsong from finches, tits, and robins is also a lovely touch during sunrise at this time of year.
2. Summer
The summer is a great time of year to head out exploring on your kayak. The days are at their longest and the temperatures are at their hottest. You definitely have to take advantage of this time of year as it doesn’t last long! It’s an amazing time to head out and soak up the sun with friends on a multi-day tour down the river. It’s also a great time for you to get out the yak and into the water for a refreshing swim in the wilderness.
If you enjoy the summer and want to make the most of it, it’s a wonderful time of year to go kayaking. However, many people feel the same way so don’t expect the waters to be as quiet as they are during the other three seasons.
3. Autumn
The autumn is the best time of year to see the changing colours of the leaves. It’s also a brilliant time to watch the sun rise and set over a dramatic and colourful landscape. It’s a quieter time of the year and provides peace and quiet to the kayaker especially during the morning periods. For the angler, the autumn is the start of some excellent predator fishing from a kayak and from shore.
4. Winter
The winter is a wonderful time of the year if you love peace, quiet, and solitude. Only the most hard-core kayaker head out at this time of year and you definitely have to be passionate to brave the cold sometimes. But, if you can put up with the harshness that winter brings you’ll be able to experience its beauty. Snowy banks, frosty branches, and atmospheric foggy sunrises are just a few of winter’s poorly hidden secrets.
This is the best time of year to really detach from the 9 to 5 and hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. Crisp mornings paddling silently along the bankside on my local stillwater is one of the things I look forward to most about winter.
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