Last Updated on 06/09/2025 by Lindsey
Kayaking is an amazing way to unwind and relax. Out on the water, all the stressors of my daily life feel far away. Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much fun it would be to paddle with other queer people โ to share one of my favorite hobbies with people who share an identity. I did some research and discovered there are some amazing LGBTQ kayak groups out there.
If you’re in the same boat (pun intended) and looking for a welcoming community of fellow paddlers, check out these incredible groups leading LGBTQ kayaking and canoeing adventures!
Rainbow Paddlers
Heading to London? Check out Rainbow Paddlers, a regular Friday night paddle for the LGBTQIA community.
Rainbow Paddlers launched in 2021 and is the only British canoeing initiative to host regular LGBTQ+ meetups.
Paddles are held Friday nights from 5:30 to 7:30, along the Regent’s Canal in Camden. Thereโs a post-paddle social to mix and mingle.
Their evening paddles fill up, so be sure to register online to save your spot!
Itโs ยฃ10 to attend.
On a budget? They have a limited number of ยฃ5 spots, so reach out early if youโd like a subsidized spot.
Outdoor Lads
UK-based OutdoorLads offers outdoor adventures for the gay, bi, and trans masc population.
Their events are all levels. Even if you are a beginner kayaker, youโre welcome!
OutdoorLads is based in Manchester, but they host events all over the UK.
Their summer calendar shows kayak and stand-up paddleboard meetups in Salford Quays, and canoeing in Bristol Harbor. Water sports cost around ยฃ23.00 for 90 minutes of instruction and exploration. Groups are small, so youโll really get to know one another while youโre out there!
Sign up for a “Pay as you go” membership, and you’ll get two free coupons which you can use for any event.
If you enjoy the gay outdoor group, you can upgrade your membership and get free admission to walks and bike rides, plus lower prices on other events, like LGBTQ paddle sports.
Blu Q Clothing Optional Kayak Tour of Key West
Key West gay tour operator Blu Q runs all male day tours that include a kayaking option.
In winter, their most popular half day tour combines a nudist friendly sail with kayaking through the Key West National Wildlife Refuge mangrove forests.
While I haven’t gone kayaking with Blu Q for obvious reasons, I have done a mangrove kayak tour in Key West!
This was back in 2018, before Don’t Say Gay turned me off Florida travel.
Paddling through the grove of tight-knit trees was a fun adventure. I loved learning more about the mangrove environment and its importance as nursery for young fish and a buffer zone during coastal storms.
Here are some pics from my Key West mangrove paddle.
OutVentures
OutVentures offers LGBTQ outdoor adventures throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition to kayaking, you can join them for a cycling, hiking and backpacking trips.
In between events, the queer adventure group gets together for potlucks and other social events.
Check out one of their potlucks to connect with outdoorsy gays and lesbians, and learn more about future trips.
Ely Outfitting Company
Gay-owned tour operator Ely Outfitting Company is a leader in LGBTQ inclusion in outdoor recreation.
The company is a sponsor of the Outside Safe Space program founded by Mikah Meyer, the first person to visit all 419 US National Park Sites. Mikah is gay, and he is a huge advocate of LGBTQ inclusion and diversifying outdoor recreation.
Ely Outfitting Company is hosting a multiday canoe adventure just for the LGBTQ community. This trip takes place in August, 2024, in Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. It’s an exclusively queer trip led by a queer guide.
No gear? No worries. Ely Outfitting Company provides all the campaign and canoeing gear.
Show up with outdoor clothing and a willingness to explore the waterways separating the US from Canada.
I have to admit this sounds pretty dreamy. I’m planning a Minnesota trip next year, so I may have to tack on a side trip to Boundary Waters to join one of their adventures!
Coral Sea Kayaking
Located in North Queensland, Australia, Coral Sea Kayaking hosts multi-day paddling excursions. These are small group adventures, with no more than 12 participants.
Their most popular trip is a 6-day kayak camping expedition of the Hinchinbrook Island coast, which is located inside the Great Barrier Reef.
You’ll paddle past stunning lush landscapes, watch for wildlife, snorkel the Great Barrier Reef (!!) and take relaxing breaks at some of Australia’s best swimming holes.
It sounds like an incredible adventure.
At night, you’ll stop off on gorgeous sandy beaches to camp.
Gourmet meals are provided for you. After spending 2 to 4 hours kayaking in challenging sea conditions, you’ll be ready to relax โ and the stunning sandy beaches where the group camps sound like the perfect place to unwind.
Once a year, Coral Sea Kayaking runs an LGBTQ exclusive version of their Hinchinbrook Island trip, called Paddle OUT. Join Paddle OUT to build your sea kayaking skills, socialize with other queer people, and feel fully supported from the inclusive tour operator.
The next Paddle OUT is planned for September.
OutKayaking
LGBTQ kayak club OutKayaking offers PNW kayak adventures throughout Oregon, Washington, and our super-inclusive northern neighbor, Canada.
The group runs a regular Pride Paddle Fridays event.
Picture a flotilla of kayaks, row boards, SUPs, and more, festooned with rainbow decor!
Honestly, Iโm tempted.
To join a Pride paddle, head to the Community Boating Center of Bellingham Bay with $15 (scholarship available if funds are tight). BYO boat or reserve one ahead if you need a rental, and make friends!
To get notice of other upcoming paddles, sign up for their email list on their website.
Wild Root Journeys
British Columbian outfitter Wild Root Journeys offers multi day sea kayak journeys. Tour guides are first aid trained and certified with the BC Sea Kayak Guide Alliance.
Wild Root Journeys is queer-owned, and they’re committed to making their kayak trips safe spaces for all adventurers.
If you’re nervous about getting outdoors, don’t see yourself as the seafaring type, or just want the comfort a group environment, they seem like an awesome choice.
This summer, they are hosting two dedicated multi-day LGBTQIA kayak trips just for our queer community!
One is to the Broken Group Islands, which belong to BC’s Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, off the coast of Vancouver Island.
Imagine hundreds of tiny islands with pristine beaches, lush northern rainforests, lazy sea lions, and eagles soaring overhead. As you paddle, you might come across orca families or migrating humpback and grey whales. This area is the traditional homeland of the Tseshaht First Nations, and there are opportunities to learn more about the tribal culture directly from First Nations people.
It sounds pretty magical to me.
I’d sign up if I weren’t totally booked for travel this year.
These seven fantastic LGBTQ kayaking groups welcome paddlers of all skill levels. These groups offer a safe, inclusive environment where you can bring your authentic self to every adventure.
Before you head out on your next kayaking adventure, whether solo or with a group, it’s crucial to ensure you have all the right gear โ both for your safety and your comfort.
If you’re unsure about what to bring, this comprehensive kayaking gear checklist has your back. It covers all the must-have items, based on my experience with kayak gear and accessories.
Happy paddling!
