Sea Kayaking Tours in the Philippines
A sport to some and a leisure trip to many, sea kayaking tours in the country is a new adventure that a few destination in the country offers. The Philippines with the natural landscape of islands rich with crystal clear water, pristine beaches, and coral reefs with mild to moderate water roughness is a haven for sea kayakers waiting to be discovered. At present the department of tourism has sited three sea kayaking destination in the country.
Sea kayaking vacations allow adventurers to explore the rich ecosystem with only minimal disturbance being done to it. Sea "kayaks" literally means "man's boat" or "hunter's boat". It was first developed in the Arctic regions, northern Canada and Greenland by the indigenous people during hunting and provided maneuverability during fishing. A kayak typically accommodates one to three riders and is propelled by a double bladed paddle. The sea kayak differs from the canoe by the position of the paddlers, history and the difficulty in terms of paddling. A canoe has a similar configuration to kayaks but only using a single bladed paddle instead of two. Paddlers in a canoe traditionally position himself kneeling which gives the paddlers a greater chance of falling out of the boat. It requires greater degree of talent to master riding a canoe unlike the kayaks. Although sea kayaking tours are still new in the Philippine, they are steadily gaining popularity.
Modern sea kayaking has numerous emerging designs and sizes but still conforms to the traditional design. Sea kayaks are usually built 12 to 24 feet in length and have a distinct design with those of the whitewater rafter and kayaks for rivers and lakes. It is typically longer than other kayaks and having a rudder or skeg that provides ease in maneuvering with waves. The rudder and the long straight waterline is designed for long straight tour in the water. Sea Kayaks also have two water tight sealed compartment on the front for floatation and storage for the paddlers.
In the Philippines there are numerous sites for sea kayaking tours and vacations but only a few are being developed and noticed by the Department of Tourism.
Caramoan, Palawan and Siargao sea kayaking are just one of the few that are very famous with the sport. Caramoan is located in the province of Camarines Sur, by plane from manila can take tourist to the area in a few hours.
Caramoan peninsula offers totally untouched ecosystem. Visiting the Caramoan Peninsula for a kayaking tour offers the closest possible experience to get in touch with nature since the area provides no cozy hotel or fancy restaurants. Camping is the mode of accommodation for tourist.
Sea kayaking in Caramoan is an experience everyone should be part of. The peninsula has coral reefs and crystal clear water with abundant marine life that anyone can appreciate for a few pesos away from the crowded beaches in Boracay or Puerto Galera.
Sea kayaking in the peninsula is best during the non typhoon season of December to June.
Sea Kayaking in Palawan group of islands is probably one of the most popular sites in the country. Along the northern part of the province has one of the most luscious coral reef in the country.
Along with sea kayaking tourist can also bring there snorkel since the place is conducive for snorkeling with its hidden white beaches that is used for camping by visitors.
Palawan is also famous with the towering limestone cliff that can only be appreciated with sea kayaking. The sea is teeming with marine life that offers kayakers a relaxing taste of nature beauty.
After kayaking around the islands tourist can also visit the Tagbanua tribe that inhabit the Coron Island.
Far south Siargao also is a well known site for sea kayaking. Siargao is known with the longest shoreline teeming with mangroves. Sea kayaking in Siargao is totally different experience with different marine life in the mangrove forest. It has been the breeding ground for different fishes at sea along with the salt water crocodile of the province that surely kayakers would enjoy.
The sport or hobby to some is one of the safest and ecosystem friendly ways of appreciating Mother Nature. With the thousands of islands in the country sea kayaking is no doubt going to emerge as one of the most famous outdoor activity in the country.
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