Kayaking in Gdańsk: Winter canals with hot chocolate

Paddle through frozen quiet and warm up mid-tour with hot chocolate on the water

Winter kayaking in Gdańsk on the Motława River and around Granary Island, guided by a local expert through historic shipyards and the Old Town waterfront. You paddle stable double kayaks in professional drysuits, gloves and full safety gear. The tour includes hot chocolate served on the water halfway through, and suits beginners with no prior experience required.

The experience

The tour runs roughly two and a half hours on the Motława River, through the quiet canals that wind past Gdańsk's landmarks (the Crane, the Granary Island, and the Shipyard area) all seen from the water in a way land-based walking never shows them. Winter empties the city of crowds, and the guide leads at a pace that lets you take in the history without rushing. You paddle a stable double kayak, which means no balance anxiety. The guide handles the navigation and the stories about what you're passing.

Halfway through, the guide serves hot chocolate right there on the water: a real break from the cold, not a rushed stop. You stay warm in a professional drysuit, gloves and spray skirt. The operator provides drysuits in sizes S through XXL, and they ask you to layer underneath with a long-sleeved base layer and a sweatshirt or jumper. Beginners are the norm here. No kayaking experience is required, and the mandatory safety briefing at the start covers everything you need. The only hard requirement is that you can swim and understand basic English, and that you arrive a few minutes early: late arrivals aren't admitted.

Two purchase options exist: the standard tour, or the same tour with hotel pickup and drop-off included. The tour operates in all weather, so dress for the conditions. The drysuit is a windbreaker, not insulation, so your layers underneath are what keep you warm. If you're vegan or can't have dairy, let the operator know and they'll make the hot chocolate with soy milk. Children from age 12 can join, but each minor must share a kayak with an adult.

What’s included

• Professional double kayak and paddle.
• drysuit, gloves, spray skirt and personal flotation device.
• waterproof bag.
• live guide in English.
• hot chocolate served on the water.
• all safety gear and mandatory safety briefing.

Options for this experience

2 options

Winter Kayak TourGuide in English · 11:00Lasts 2 to 2.5 hours.

Kayak tour that includes pickupGuide in English · 10:45Pickup and drop-off are included. Pickup is available from two locations: the back of the historic Crane Gate (Żuraw) or Gdańsk Główny train station.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesTuesday to SundayDepartures at 10:45 and 11:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Around Gdansk | Kayak Tours & Adventures

Is this one for you?Book the standard tour if you can reach the meeting point on your own. Choose the option with pickup if you need hotel transport included. The roughly two-and-a-half-hour paddle suits anyone who can swim and wants to see Gdańsk's winter waterfront without crowds, and the double kayak means beginners paddle alongside the guide without balance worries.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years). Children under 12 can't be included in the booking.

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 exactly do I see paddling through Gdańsk on this kayak tour?

The Motława River, Granary Island, the Gdańsk Crane, the Shipyard area and the Old Town waterfront. All from the water, which gives you a perspective you don't get from the streets. The guide points out the history and landmarks as you paddle.

Do I need kayaking experience to join this tour?

No. Beginners are welcome and the norm. You paddle a stable double kayak and the guide leads. A mandatory safety briefing covers everything you need to know, and the only requirement is that you can swim and understand basic English.

How do you keep people warm in winter kayaking?

You wear a professional drysuit, gloves and spray skirt provided by the operator, plus your own warm layers underneath: a long-sleeved base layer and a sweatshirt or jumper. The drysuit is a windbreaker, not insulated, so your clothing layers do the real work. Halfway through, hot chocolate served on the water adds another warm break.

What's included in the tour price?

The double kayak and paddle, drysuit, gloves, spray skirt, personal flotation device, waterproof bag, the guide, and hot chocolate. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included only if you book the option that adds them. The standard tour does not include transport to the meeting point.

What should I wear under the drysuit?

Wear a warm long-sleeved base layer and a sweatshirt or jumper on top. If it's very cold, wear several layers. Don't rely on your jacket to keep you warm. You'll change it for the drysuit before paddling, so the layers underneath are what matter. Remove all jewelry, watches, bracelets, earrings and rings before putting on the drysuit.