The nice thing about kayaking is it is a sport both for athletes and those of us not as athletically inclined. I am not athletic. I am not a big outdoors person. But I do like to kayak.

We use sit on top kayaks. They are much easier to maneuver or more importantly to get back onto after you have fallen off than a cockpit style kayak. Normally we have a few kayaks on the dock so it is easy to get going rather quickly once you decide you are ready to go for a paddle.

Once in the kayak is in the water, I climb on board. I release the kayak from the dock and off I go. I can paddle around the edge of the island and watch for the different aquatic life living at the island’s edge. I can paddle into open water and circle the small island out in the bay. I can head for a point nearby where I get to go through a mangrove tunnel to check out a different type of coral than we have right at our place.

Or if I was feeling adventurous I could head over to the rancho in the water not too far from our place and disembark. At the rancho I can have a picnic lunch, go fishing, go snorkeling, read a book, do yoga, or even take a nap. It all depends upon my current mood.

Kayaking can be done as a solitary activity or it can be done in a group. I can go on a single kayak or I can go with my husband on a double kayak. My three year old son loves to climb on board and take a ride.

Regardless of the excursion or companions, I always return from a paddling experience refreshed and renewed with a smile on my face.

Tags: Bocas del Toro, Panama, Kayak