Please contact us to discuss your requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I have to have previous kayaking experience/ be able to roll a kayak?
2. Do I need to be able to swim?
3. Do you have any double kayaks?
4. Are there age restrictions?
5. How fit do I need to be?
6. Can you take unaccompanied children?
7. Can you take single adults?
8. I have kayaking experience.  Can I just hire a kayak?
9. I would love to do a multi-day trip.  Do you offer this?
10. I’m coming to Shetland with my own kayak.  What are your guiding charges?
11. I don’t see a list of proposed trips on your site.
12. What is the booking process?
13. What are the payment options?

1. Do I have to have previous kayaking experience/ be able to roll a kayak?

You do not have to have had any kayaking experience to come on a trip and enjoy it. We take many clients who have never kayaked before. Most able people manage a half day trip on their first outing.  Coaching and tips on how to improve your technique will be given where necessary. We try and keep fairly dry so rolling a kayak is definitely not essential.

2. Do I need to be able to swim?

You do not have to be able to swim, though it helps if you feel confident to be on the water. You will wear a buoyancy aid (PFD) at all times on the water regardless of your swimming ability. 

3. Do you have any double kayaks?

We have two double kayaks which we use, often when there is a younger person coming on the trip. Also, some adults prefer to use the double.

4. Are there age restrictions?

Due to Licensing Restrictions, anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a Parent or Legal Guardian.

Some younger children may need to go in the double kayak with an adult as they just don’t have the strength or stamina for a trip.  If it is a family group wanting to have fun on the water instead of actually going on a trip, it is best to contact us first so we can discuss your group and the activities you hope to do.

For older people; as long as you feel you are fit and able enough to go kayaking, we are willing to take you.  However, the guide’s decision is final.

5. How fit do I need to be?

You need to be reasonably fit. Being able to help carry a kayak to the water, possibly over an uneven surface or slippery rocks. It is helpful to be able to sit down to floor level and get back up again. Kayaking requires sitting down with legs outstretched and knees slightly bent, so if you have tight hamstrings, then some stretching in the week before maybe beneficial. Please contact us to check.

6. Can you take unaccompanied children?

No. Due to Licensing Restrictions, we require anyone under 18 to be accompanied by a Parent or Legal Guardian.

7. Can you take single adults?

We welcome enquiries from lone travellers and will try to match them with others of similar abilities so they can enjoy a paddle trip too. However, we do have to have a minimum of three people before a trip will go ahead.

8. I have kayaking experience.  Can I just hire a kayak?

We only offer guided trips, we do not have kayaks for rent.

9. I would love to do a multi-day trip.  Do you offer this?

We can run multi-day trips but the weather in Shetland can be so variable. It is better if we are able to be fully flexible deciding where to run the trip from on the day.  However, if you wish to camp and kayak on successive days, we can arrange that with you.  Contact us to discuss what you would like to do.

10. I’m coming to Shetland with my own kayak.  What are your guiding charges?

Please contact us to discuss your proposed trip and requirements.

11. I don’t see a list of proposed trips on your site.

We do not plan trips very far in advance because the weather is so unpredictable.  Trips are tailor made round the enquiries we receive, the weather forecast and sea-state.

12. What is the booking process?

Once you have decided that you would like to come kayaking, then you can contact us , with a general enquiry to check availability. . Please complete a contact form with your personal details etc. This gives us more information which helps in the booking process, including advising us of your dates in Shetland, preferred date of trip and the number of people in your party, transport and experience etc.

It helps us if you can provide the following information:

1.  When you would like to go on your trip.  We suggest that you book a trip near the start of your visit to Shetland so that there is time left to reschedule if the weather is not suitable.

2. If you are booking a trip for part of a day and have a preference for morning, afternoon or evening, let us know.

3. If you have kayaked previously, or if you participate in other sports or activities.

4. Whether you have transport.

5. A contact number for while you are in Shetland.  Mobile phone signals around Shetland are very patchy, so often email is more reliable, but we like to have a number if possible.

Once you have booked, we will contact you a day or so before your trip. This is to confirm that you are coming and that the weather forecast is suitable for the trip to go ahead.  We will check the forecast (it is more accurate in this time-frame) and finalise arrangements; arrange where and when to meet and so on.  If you don’t contact us to confirm you are coming, we may offer your place to someone else.

13. What are the payment options?

Payment is by cash or by bank transfer please.