Adventures for Couples: Kayak Tours in Virginia

For the couples that love a little adventure in their vacations, a kayaking tour in Virginia may be the perfect getaway. Consider “roughing it” with affordable campsite accommodations or add a bit of luxury to your agenda with a stay at a bed and breakfast or spa retreat. Book one of these tours and kayak some of Virginia’s most beautiful and romantic waterways during your next couple’s vacation.

Craven Expeditions—Middle Peninsula

Take on one of several tours offered by Craven Expeditions near the Chesapeake Bay. Explore low-laying marshlands and spot eagles and songbirds on the Poropotank River, or paddle around the historic New Point Comfort Lighthouse and bring a picnic for the sandy shores. 

Places to eat on the Middle Peninsula:

• Porter's On Main—Gloucester
• Olivia's In the Village—Gloucester
• The White Dog Bistro Restaurant—Mathews

Places to stay on the Middle Peninsula:

• The Inn At Warner Hall—Gloucester
• Camp Cardinal RV Resort—Hayes
• The Inn at Tabbs Creek—Haywood

SouthEast Expeditions—Cape Charles

A kayaking trip with SouthEast Expeditions on the Eastern Shore of Virginia can range from a quick 2-hour paddle to a multi-day excursion, but their most romantic options involve wine and local seafood. The Kayak Winery Tour includes a tasting flight at Chatham Vineyards, where you’ll take a break from kayaking the Chesapeake Bay to savor delicious Virginia wines. On the Kayak Clamming Tour, you’ll learn about the environmental importance of shellfish and dig up some of Virginia’s tastiest Littleneck clams. 

Places to eat in Cape Charles:

• The Shanty
• The Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery
• Ambrogia

Places to stay in Cape Charles:

• Hotel Cape Charles 
• Bay Haven Inn of Cape Charles 
• The Northampton Hotel
• Fig Street Inn

Adventure Kayak & SUP—Chesapeake

Explore one of the geological wonders of the East Coast with Adventure Kayak & SUP. The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Preserve is viewed by naturalists and scientists as one of the best outdoor laboratories in the world. For a more romantic experience, book an Adventure After Dark to paddle under the stars and see how the coast comes alive at night. 

Places to eat in Chesapeake:

• Lockside Bar & Grill
• Wasserhund Brewing Company

Places to stay in Chesapeake:

• Delta Hotels Chesapeake Norfolk
• Hampton Inn & Suites Chesapeake-Battlefield Blvd

New River Outdoor Adventures—Galax

With a variety of floats and rentals, you can create the perfect outing with New River Outdoor Adventures. There's a scenic 2-mile float, six and 8.5 mile options, and a more lengthy 14.5-mile float. Canoes, tubes, and tandem kayaks are available to rent along with traditional kayaks. 

Places to eat near Galax: 

• The Galax Smokehouse—Galax
• Creek Bottom Brewing—Galax

Places to stay near Galax: 

• Camping at New River Trail State Park—Max Meadows
• The Washington Inn—Fries

Surf & Adventure—Virginia Beach

Take going out to eat to a new level on a Dinner Tour with Surf & Adventure. All the tours offered by the company will take you to scenic and exciting places, but the Blue Pete's Tour drops you off right in front of the Pungo mainstay Blue Pete's. Enjoy seafood or a steak to unwind after an evening of exploration. 

Places to eat in Virginia Beach:

• Waterman’s Surfside Grille
• Love Song
• Rockafeller’s Restaurant

Places to stay in Virginia Beach:

• The Cavalier Resort
• Inn at Old Beach
• Camping at First Landing State Park

Keep planning your Virginia Beach adventures. 

Riverside Outfitters—Richmond

Based in Virginia’s capital on the James River, Riverside Outfitters is a popular hub for water activities in the region. The Flatwater Tour is best for those looking for a serene, peaceful experience on the river. On this two hour kayaking tour, you’ll get a glimpse of wildlife and can take a break on one of the islands to eat lunch. Riverside also offers rafting and tubing if you're seeking more thrills (or just more time on the water). 

Places to eat in Richmond:

• Perly’s
• Alewife
• Metzger Bar & Butchery
• Julep’s

Places to stay in Richmond:

• Quirk Hotel
• The Berkeley Hotel
• Graduate Richmond

Keep planning your Richmond adventures. 

Clinch River Adventures—St. Paul

In the Heart of Appalachia region, Clinch River Adventures offers kayaking tours that range from a short 45 minutes to over seven hours on the water. And with four access points along the Clinch River where you can get in the water, you can decide to stop or continue your journey to suit your needs.

Places to eat near St. Paul:

• El Palenque—St. Paul
• Oma's Haus—Coeburn

Places to stay in St. Paul:

• Mountain View Lodge
• Western Front Hotel

Twin River Outfitters—Buchanan

Kayak the Upper James River in the Blue Ridge Mountains with Twin River Outfitters. They offer trips from two hours to five full days in length along one of the most scenic sections of the James, including recommendations for campsites that sit on the river banks.

Places to eat near Buchanan:

• North Star Restaurant—Buchanan
• Stock Cafe & Bar—Roanoke
• Sidecar—Roanoke
• Peaks of Otter Restaurant—Bedford

Places to stay near Buchanan:

• Natural Bridge Hotel—Natural Bridge
• Peaks of Otter Lodge—Bedford
• Hummingbird Inn—Goshen

Shenandoah River Outfitters—Luray

Kayak down this scenic bend in the Luray area with Shenandoah River Outfitters. Rent a kayak for just a few hours with the Sampler Trip, a kayaking escape perfect for beginners that features spectacular mountain views and abundant wildlife. Or plan a trip that lasts several days and takes you all the way from Bixler’s Ferry to Front Royal. If you plan an overnight trip, there are campgrounds and cabins available on-site. Camp Outback borders the George Washington National Forest and has 25 campgrounds available for more modest accommodations. The cabins sit on the Shenandoah River and range from a simple two-room cabin to larger retreats that offer comforts like a hot tub in a private gazebo, picnic area with a charcoal grill, and a fire pit for you to snuggle close during the cooler evenings on the river.

Places to eat in Luray:

• Chop House Bistro
• The Speakeasy Bar and Restaurant

Places to stay in Luray:

• Hotel Laurance
• Mimslynn Inn
• The Inn of the Shenandoah

Fairy Stone State Park—Stuart

Like many Virginia State Parks that have waterways running through them, Fairy Stone State Park has rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes available for rent during the summer season. Take your own private tour of the 168-acre Philpott Reservoir for a romantic kayaking adventure.

Places to eat near Stuart:

• Papa’s Pizzeria—Bassett
• Pickle & Ash—Stuart
• Yamato Japanese Restaurant—Martinsville

Places to stay near Stuart:

• The Virginia Home Inn—Fieldale
• Cabins, lodge, and yurts at Fairy Stone State Park—Stuart
• Blue Ridge Cabin Rentals—Woolwine, Stuart

Rapidan River Kayak Company—Orange

Located in Orange, Rapidan River Kayak Company is just a few miles outside of the downtown area and four miles from James Madison’s Montpelier. Book a couple’s kayaking trip before exploring the historic estate of the former Virginia-born President.

Places to eat near Orange:

• Spoon & Spindle—Orange
• The Inn at Willow Grove—Orange
• The Inn and Tavern at Meander—Locust Dale

Places to stay near Orange:

• Inn on Poplar Hill—Orange
• The Inn at Willow Grove—Orange
• Walden Hall—Reva

Still searching for the perfect getaway? Discover more outdoor adventures for couples or look up kayak rentals at a variety of state parks.