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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for 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.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

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.

Can children go kayaking on the Chapora?

Children are welcome from age 2. Infants sit on an adult's lap in the kayak, and the guide stays with you throughout the paddle, so the experience is built for families with young children.

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.