We booked this through our cruise ship. Our family has been kayaking before and felt comfortable doing it with little instruction. But I was concerned when we got off the bus that there wasn't much instruction given or anything really said about safety. We all were given life jackets and put in kayaks with paddles and told to get out on the water. I don't know that everyone in our large group (probably 30 or more) had actually kayaked before. There were a couple of young kids (a boy who looked like he was 7 or 8) in a kayaks by themselves. It just concerned me.

Once we got on the lake, you were told to stay close to the shore and the lead guide took off. He was giving out information on the eco systems, but it was impossible to hear him if you weren't right up on him. Other guides joined the group and eventually the large group naturally spread out. We were fortunate to see an otter and a seal while out kayaking.

About mid way through the paddle we stopped at a shore line where the tour company will do camp outs. We were pulled in and the guide started leading us through tall grass into the forest. Some people had trouble crossing a small creek and fell into the water (the rocks were slippery and the edges were mud). My feeling is that if you go kayaking you should be prepared to get wet and if you decide to try and cross a creek on wet rocks in your sneakers you should be prepared to fall in.). I'm not sure what the point of going into the forest was other than to show us the camping area. It was lush and green and beautiful, but we really didn't go very far and headed right back out.

On the way back, the guide pretty much let us go in our own direction toward the main dock. There were guides on the shore to help us pull in and get out of the kayak (thankfully because my legs were stiff!). They offered us water and store bought cookies for refreshments.

The guides were nice enough, but there were clearly some new ones there and they couldn't answer questions. The facilities are rough. The only restroom set up is an out house (and I mean a real out house - not the nice kind with air filtration!) and no sink/anti bacterial gel to use afterward. The refreshments were served under a tent. The lead guide had promised wet bags, but couldn't find them at the beginning. I took my camera and didn't have any problem. The bag it was in got a little wet from sitting on the floor of the kayak, but the camera was fine.

My kids really enjoyed this - mainly because it was off the ship, out away from the town and because they got to kayak (which they love). If you have never kayaked, I'm not sure this is a good excursion to start. If I was new to it or had kids who were new to it, I would have been uncomfortable with the lack of prep for the participants.