Kayaking Gdansk: Paddle the Motlawa River & Islands
Two to three hours paddling through canals ferries can't reach
Kayak the Motlawa River around Granary Island and Olowianka Island in Gdansk with a live English-speaking guide, paddling through canals inaccessible to larger boats. The tour includes double and single kayaks assigned to your skill level, PFD, waterproof bag and spray skirts. You'll paddle past the 15th-century Crane, the SS Sołdek freighter, and the active Remontowa Shipyard, seeing the city from the water where it developed along trade routes.
Step-by-step itinerary
Kayak tour around Gdansk islands
- Learn kayaking techniques
- Paddle through Motlawa river canals
- Pass by The Crane landmark
- See SS Sołdek freighter
- Observe Gdansk Remontowa Shipyard
- Explore Granary and Olowianka Islands
- Discover hidden city views from water
What’s included
- An intimate guide-led experience.
- waterproof bag to keep your belongings dry.
- personal flotation device (PFD).
- double or single kayak with paddle assigned to your skill level.
- spray skirt for water protection.
Times
Next departure: 1 May 2027
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Operated by Around Gdansk | Kayak Tours & Adventures
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The experience
Two to three hours on the water gives you access to parts of Gdansk's waterfront that tour boats cannot reach. The Motlawa River winds through the city's canals, and paddling lets you move at your own pace past landmarks tied to Gdansk's history as a trading port. The Crane, built in the mid-15th century as part of the city's biggest double-towered gate, could hoist loads up to 2000kg: the largest crane in medieval Europe. You'll also paddle past the SS Sołdek, a Polish coal and ore freighter, and the Remontowa Shipyard, where ferries and cargo ships sit in various stages of repair or construction.
The kayaks are assigned at the start based on your experience: double kayaks for those paddling together, single kayaks for solo paddlers. Both come with paddles, and you'll wear a PFD and spray skirt for the water. A mandatory safety briefing happens before departure, and the guide leads in English throughout. The route circles Granary Island and Olowianka Island, two of the city's key waterway landmarks. Gdansk sits at the crossroads of the Vistula River, the Baltic estuary, and the Radunia and Motlawa rivers: waterways that shaped the city's entire development and daily life for centuries.
You'll need to arrive several minutes early and be comfortable in the water. The tour requires basic swimming ability. The weight limit is 110 kg per person. Minors must share a kayak with an adult. No alcohol, drugs or smoking (including e-cigarettes) are permitted before or during the activity.
Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you'll follow the commentary comfortably if you understand basic English. Arrive early for the safety briefing and be prepared to swim, as the tour requires basic water comfort and the weight limit is 110 kg per person.
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Top questions
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's the Crane in Gdansk and why do we paddle past it?
The Crane is a 15th-century structure built as part of the city's largest double-towered gate on the shoreline. It was used to install and remove ships' masts and load and unload cargo from vessels at the quay. This human-powered device could hoist loads up to 2000kg, making it the largest crane in medieval Europe and one of the defining symbols of Gdansk's trading past.
Can I kayak if I've never paddled before?
Yes. The tour is beginner-friendly and the techniques are easy to learn. Kayaks are assigned at the start based on your skill level and experience, and a mandatory safety briefing covers everything you need to know before you leave the shore.
What islands do we paddle around on this route?
You paddle around Granary Island and Olowianka Island, two of Gdansk's key waterway landmarks. The route circles both islands along the Motlawa River, giving you views of the city's waterfront from angles inaccessible to larger tour boats.
What happens at the Remontowa Shipyard during the tour?
The Remontowa Shipyard is a working yard where ferries and ships of all sizes sit in different stages of repair or construction. Paddling past it lets you see men working on ferries and get a close view of active maritime work in the city.
How long does the kayaking tour take?
The tour runs two to three hours on the water. You'll arrive several minutes early for the mandatory safety briefing before departure.
Kayaking Gdansk: Paddle the Motlawa River & Islands
2h–3h · EN
from US$ 132 per person
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