Kayaking is a passion for us at SmallFry’s. One of our owners has done all types of Kayaking throughout his lifetime including Whitewater Kayaking, Kayak Surfing, Overnight River Camping, Flatwater, and Ocean Kayaking. We have many types of Kayaks here we rent by the hour, or we have a few interesting guided day tours including Coral Reef Snorkeling, Mangrove Forest, Island Hopping, and Sipaway Island Circle Tour.
Note: Kayak tours are not recommended when the sea is rough as the return trip can be extremely tiring. Especially for beginners. Advanced booking recommended to ensure tour guide availability.
Coral Reef Snorkeling
Skill Level: Beginner
Kayak: Sit on top only.
Prerequisites: Ability to mount the Kayak in deep water.
Duration and Cost: 2hrs, 500/pp
Includes: Kayak, Lifejacket, Snorkeling Gear, Tour Guide (Optional)
What To Bring: Hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Water
Conditions: Low to medium tide. Calm sea
This tour is for paddlers of all skill and experience levels. We will paddle 1/2km out to the coral reef. The reef is large and you can observe from your kayak until you see a spot of interest. We will tie the kayaks together and anyone who wishes can put on their scuba gear and snorkel for a closer look. The only tricky part is getting back on the kayak in deep water. We will practice this at the beach before we go.
Mangrove Forest, Fish Farms and Ticlin Island
Skill Level: Intermediate
Kayak: Touring and Sit on Top.
Prerequisites: Semi-fit.
Duration and Cost: 3hrs, 600/pp
Included: Kayak, Life Jacket, Tour Guide, Snack, Tour Guide
What To Bring: Hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Water
Conditions: High Tide. Low Wind, Semi-Calm Sea, Safety Briefing.
This tour takes about 3 hours. Even when it looks calm, the wind and waves can increase suddenly in the straight. This may take some endurance on the way back when we will be facing the wind. The Kayaks are stream lined and paddling doesn’t require a lot of strength, but you will still need to be reasonably fit to make the trip.
It needs to be high tide to tour the Mangrove forest. It is very quiet and peaceful and often there are some tropical birds to see. This part of the trip is only about 1.5hrs, and since we are almost there we will have a look at the floating fish farms then stop by Tiningisan Beach on Ticlin Island for a swim, tour, and a snack before retuning home. Although there is much more to see on the coral reef tour, anyone wishing to snorkel at Tiningisan Beach is welcome.
Island Hopping – Ticlin and Campo Labo
Skill Level: Intermediate
Kayak: Touring and Sit on Top.
Prerequisites: Fit.
Duration and Cost: 3hrs, 600/pp
Included: Kayak, Life Jacket, Tour Guide, Snack
What To Bring: Hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Water
Conditions: Low Tide/Almost Low Tide. Low Wind, Semi-Calm Sea
This tour takes about 3.5 hours but is a much greater distance than the Mangrove Tour. There may be some hard paddling out into the deep sea to visit the “disappearing island”. As we need to cross the channel, even when it looks calm, the wind and waves can increase suddenly. This will take some endurance and it is advisable for only those who feel physically fit.
For this trip whenever possible we will try to time it so that we arrive at Campo Labo (disappearing island) just before low tide. Campo Labo is a coral reef that is under water at high tide, then reappears at low tide. The time to visit is when it first appears above the water. The water is crystal clear and we will beach the Kayaks and have an enjoyable swim while watching the island grow as the tide goes out. 🙂 Next we will visit Ticlin Island and have our snack. Depending how energetic people feel, we can see the fish farms and maybe the Mangrove Forest on the way back.
Sipaway Circle Tour
Skill Level: Advanced
Kayak: Touring and Sit on Top.
Prerequisites: Fit.
Duration and Cost: 6hrs, 1000/pp
Included: Transportation to San Carlos, Pump Boat Fees, Kayak, Life Jacket, Tour Guide, Snack
What To Bring: Hat, Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Water
Conditions: Any Tide, Semi-Calm Sea
This tour takes most of the day. We will pack the Kayaks in the truck and leave early morning to San Carlos City. At the Marina we will load the Kayaks and supplies into the pump boats. We will leave the peer and travel clockwise around the island. Sipaway is primarily Mangrove forests, but there are many interesting coves and natural sites to see. We will stop at Anthony’s for a picnic then continue to circle the island. We’ll make a second stop at Blue Wave Resort to park the boats. While waiting for the pump boat we will then walk to “Sipaway’s Version of Starbuck” to have a coffee. It’s a long way around the Island but if we leave in the morning and keep the wind at our back it a very pleasurable tour.
