Kayaking in Goa's Chapora River Backwaters

Fish jump and birds fly almost constantly in these untouched backwaters.

Kayaking in Goa's Chapora River is a guided paddle through calm backwaters where you watch birds and fish in their habitat, with breakfast, an air-conditioned pickup, certified safety equipment and a lifeguard guide accompanying you throughout the 2.5-hour outing. Non-swimmers, first-time paddlers, children from age 2 and seniors all paddle safely in government-licensed kayaks. The guide speaks English and Hindi.

The experience

You start on the riverbank with freshly picked tender coconut water before getting into the kayak. The Chapora is a calm, little-known river: easy enough that people who have never paddled before feel at home on the water, and the 2-hour paddle itself is the kind of exercise that does not demand fitness or prior experience. What makes it different is what you see: birds fly and fish jump out of the water almost constantly in this stretch, and the river itself is one of the cleanest in the country. You are paddling through a hinterland most visitors to Goa never find.

The guide stays with you throughout, and the kayaks are government-licensed with certified safety equipment built in. If you are a non-swimmer, have never kayaked, are bringing children, or are a senior traveler, the setup is built for you: the guide's presence and the equipment mean you paddle in absolute safety. An air-conditioned vehicle picks you up and brings you back, and breakfast (samosas, bread, Goan bhaji, sweet bun and tea from a 120-year-old place serving authentic home-cooked Goan food) is included before the river.

Infants sit on an adult's lap in the kayak. The operator can accommodate vegetarian diets. Bring a change of clothes and a towel for after the paddle.

What’s included

• Breakfast at a 120-year-old Goan home-cooking place.
• air-conditioned vehicle pickup and return.
• government-licensed kayaks.
• certified life safety equipment and kayaking gear.
• bottled water.
• certified lifeguard guide in English or Hindi.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 79 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 39 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by SoulCandy Tours Goa

Is this one for you?The paddle lasts around two hours on calm water, so it fits a morning or afternoon without eating your whole day. The guide stays with you throughout, which is what makes it work for non-swimmers, first-time paddlers, children from age 2 and seniors. You are never alone on the water.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 3 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Chapora River like for someone who has never kayaked before?

The Chapora is a calm backwater with an easy, short paddle lasting around two hours. The guide accompanies you throughout in a government-licensed kayak with certified safety equipment, so non-swimmers and first-time paddlers paddle safely and watch birds and fish jump in the water almost constantly.

What happens before the kayaking starts?

You walk by the river and sip freshly picked tender coconut water, then eat breakfast (samosas, bread, Goan bhaji, sweet bun and tea from a 120-year-old place serving authentic home-cooked Goan food) before paddling.

Is the paddle physically demanding?

Kayaking in the calm backwaters is a fairly easy exercise suitable for all physical fitness levels. The guide's presence and certified safety equipment mean seniors, non-swimmers and people with no paddling experience can enjoy the activity in absolute safety.

What is included in the kayaking experience?

The experience includes breakfast, an air-conditioned vehicle for pickup and return, government-licensed kayaks, certified life safety equipment, kayaking gear, bottled water and a certified lifeguard guide who speaks English and Hindi.

What wildlife do you see on the Chapora?

Birds fly and fish jump out of the water almost constantly throughout the paddle. The river is home to unique fauna and birds in an untouched hinterland that most visitors to Goa never encounter.