Celebrating 35 Years of Award Winning Sea Kayaking Adventures

Genoa has a rich legacy as one of Italy's Maritime Replubics. Like Venice, it has a history of military might, economic dominance, and staggering wealth. Now a thriving commercial port city, more popular cities in Italy often eclipse it, but Genoa has churches to rival Naples and aristocratic palaces that compare in magnificence and number to those of Rome, along with one of the most intact medieval centers in all Europe. To start our Riviera adventure, we offer an insider's view into this city that offers "an incredible lens on Italian culture."

To explore this area by kayak is to experience the life of the sea that is at the heart and soul of this special place. Warm water, sun-drenched beaches, great food, and the harmony of life at the sea’s edge has attracted artists, poets, and writers for over two centuries. Byron, Shelley, D.H. Lawrence, Hans Christian Andersen, and Virginia Woolf came here to write, and today, visitors from all over the world are drawn by the Riviera lifestyle.

Kayaking the Riviera lets us observe both the subtle details and the grand vistas of this unique place at a pace that also allows us the time to immerse ourselves in the culture. With a focus on locally sourced Mediterranean cuisine, this trip is really a feast for the senses. We take time to enjoy crisp, warm, freshly baked focaccia scented with rosemary, a glass of chilled local white wine, and the very best reward at the end of a paddling day – a frosted cup of gelato! 

To kayak the coast of the five villages in the Cinque Terre is to step back in time – tiny medieval villages tucked into ravines of this steep coastline thatched with vineyards, where each of the Cinque Terre has a distinct dialect and atmosphere. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in large part because of the extensive system of contoured terraces and muretti (low stone walls) that span this dramatic landscape, you’ll also visit the sixth “Terre” – Portovenere – and the jet-set haven of Portofino, both of which date back to Roman times. Arriving by kayak is the best way to experience these villages, which are inextricably linked to the sea and a culture of small boats.

Cinque Terre's allure is magnificently revealed from the water, where each paddle stroke brings you closer to its captivating charm. As you glide along the coast, the clear, warm Mediterranean invites frequent swims, offering refreshing interludes to our journey. Each day, as we beach our kayaks, you're greeted by one of the five picturesque towns, each a colorful tapestry of centuries-old architecture cascading down steep hillsides. Wandering through narrow, winding streets, you'll stumble upon hidden gems - a quaint piazza, a local artisan's workshop, or a stunning viewpoint overlooking the sea. As dusk settles, the aroma of authentic Ligurian cuisine beckons you to intimate, family-run trattorias tucked away in cobblestone alleys. Here, you'll savor the region's culinary treasures - perhaps handmade trofie pasta with fragrant pesto or freshly caught anchovies drizzled with local olive oil. This summer, let the rhythmic pace of your paddle set the tempo for an unhurried exploration, immersing yourself in the beauty and culture of Italy from a truly unique perspective that only kayaking can offer.

Tofino Expeditions was the highest rated sea kayaking adventure travel company in a National Geographic Adventure survey of international outfitters based on:

• Quality of Service
• Education
• Sustainability
• Spirit of Adventure