Sea Kayak and Wild Camp Arisaig
3 day expedition Arisaig Wild camp
What to Expect This trip lets you get a taste for what sea kayaking on the West coast of Scotland is all about. There is some stunning coastline around Arisaig and its best experienced when we venture out for more than a single day. This three day sea kayak adventure allows you to experience wild camping, exploring the coast by sea kayak and gives lots of opportunity to spot wildlife and learn new skills.
Trip Highlights A three day kayak expedition exploring the classic Arisaig coastline.
- Explore small islands, white sand beaches and hidden bays.
- Watch the sun go down from our wild camp on the Arisaig coast.
- See Seals from the seat of your kayak.
- Learn essential sea kayaking and expedition skills.
Grade:
Level 1+ - Intro plus
These trips are open to all levels of experience, but to get the most from this trip we'd recommend you have some prior experience of kayaking. An expedition is naturally a more challenging option than a beginner day trip or taster session. The locations and route choice will be based on providing an enjoyable journey that is within the capabilities of a beginner but could be enjoyed by any level of kayaker. Typical number of days experience - zero to any. Clients may have done some sea kayaking day trips or simple paddlesports taster sessions or may have done more sea kayaking in the past and want to get back into the activity after a break. Or clients may have no sea kayaking experience but know from their fitness or adventure sports experience that an expedition will work as an introductory option for them. Intro plus
Dates and Prices
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*Taking Time Out - The slow glide of the sea kayak between the small islands created a sense of passage; of moving perceptively between island and channel, between kayak and land and between the challenge of the present and the challenge of modern life. The time taken to paddle between islands became irrelevant as time warped and moulded around the sights and sounds of the ocean: There was no rush here, no schedule and no distraction aside from the Common Seals that would bob up and down alongside the kayaks, curious as ever.
The camp that evening was on a small piece of Machair; a unique West coast habitat found above beaches. The Machair lay above a small cove, hidden from view, and was carpeted with wildflowers. We let the evening pass with no sense of having to do anything other than simply enjoy being there; in that wild place with new friends, a place we had worked together to reach, a place we had earned.
Day One *Taking Time Out
| Meet Arisaig or Lochailort
| Sea kayak - Sound of Arisaig
| Stay - Wild camp
*Wake up in the Wild - We’ll wake in a beautiful, wild setting. Breakfast and packing up the boats won’t be rushed - we’ll spend time just savouring the experience of being here. Once on the water we’ll explore some more before heading back.
Day Two & Three *Wake up in the Wild
| Explore by sea kayak
| Trip ends - Lochailort or Arisaig
Accommodation For this trip we will be wild camping - Arisaig offers some fantastic options for this and we can usually find ourselves above a remote beach. Tents can be provided (see kit list for full details), if booking as an individual you will not have to share a tent.
Food Includes Breakfast and evening meals. You'll need to bring snacks and lunch.
Start and Finish Meet at Arisaig village at 09.00 or Lochailort at 09.30. Trip ends Lochailort at 15.30 or Arisaig 16.00.
Kit List Our expedition kit list applies to this trip. All specialist kayaking equipment and camping equipment can be provided.
Introduction to Expedition Sea Kayaking This is an expedition style trip, we will paddle variable distances each day depending on the conditions but typically about 15km per day. This trip is graded as intro plus so it is suitable for those with no sea kayaking experience, but we'd recommend that to get the most from this trip it should be completed after you've already spent some time in a sea kayak, such as on an intro day trip or intro course but its not strictly necessary and could be suitable as an introduction to sea kayaking for those with other adventure sports/paddlesports experience and fitness. Please bear in mind that an expedition is naturally more challenging than a day trip or introductory session as it involves three consecutive days of sea kayaking as well as spending an extended amount of time out in the elements. If you are looking for an introductory trip without wild camping as part of an expedition then feel free to take a look at our Day Trips or Discover Sea Kayaking Course. Alternatively this trip can be combined with one of our day trips to form a four day Introduction to sea kayaking involving a three day expedition.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
Individuals, couples or small groups of friends.
Yes - a lot of learning about sea kayaking comes from experience and is best done as individuals on the move and in context. We won't spend time on long instructional briefings or static group skills practice during an expedition but will give you hints and tips on the journey to make it easier for you and suggest improvements to your technique as we go along. We'll help you develop your knowledge and sea kayak handling skill throughout the trip but also allow plenty of time simply to enjoy the journey and the experience of sea kayaking.
The weather on the West coast of Scotland can vary through the course of the season and from area to area - Scottish islands and coastline can see dramatically better weather and more sunshine than more mountainous areas on the West coast. The wind speed and sea state are the primary factors that affect the trip - if the conditions are difficult then we will seek out a more sheltered section of coast to run the trip. You should note that it is very rare that we have to stay off the water on multi-day trips and the vast majority of trips run as planned. For full terms and conditions see the link below. You can read more about the weather/cancellation/booking on our FAQ page.
A 25% deposit is required at the time of booking, the balance is due 6 weeks prior to the trip, for cancellation policy please see our full terms and conditions.
We have a much larger FAQ page that covers all aspects of sea kayak trips with us.
