7. Kayaking with Whales (Alaska)



While combining canoeing with bird watching or fishing is certainly a reason some people paddle, it is becoming increasingly popular to kayak and paddleboard in search of bigger more elusive life. The rise of the internet, which has publicized these encounters between kayakers and paddleboarders with sharks and whales, is adding to the allure of this endeavor.
 
While Alaskan sea kayakers have long owned the rights to cool photos of themselves in kayaks with breathtaking panoramas in the background and whale tales in the foreground, this phenomenon is increasing with greater frequency in other parts of the U.S. and the world. What is cooler after all than kayaking with a whale? It is almost becoming predictable as to when kayakers will be able to share in this experience, as whale experts are increasingly able to predict the feeding patterns of these truly beautiful marine mammals. While it is quite uncommon for whales to do any damage to humans, it is not out of the question. Their sheer size and weight make an encounter with these gentle giants a dangerous proposition.