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One such operation is Clearwater Paddling, based on the island of Bara, which has a population of less than 1,500 Gaelic speaking Scots. Clearwater offers opportunities for beginners—who are taught bracing to keep the kayak upright and the Eskimo roll for unassisted righting—and more experienced paddlers. Clearwater will provide equipment or you can bring your own. All trips are guided.

Recreational paddlers can do day trips in the Blue Lagoon, paddle out to the ruins of Kisimul Castle, or head to the remote island of Vatersay, among numerous other trip options. More experienced paddlers can take a multi-day trip called the Wild Hebridean Journey to some of the more remote southern islands and see some great wildlife. One planned trip goes to the coast of Jura, known for its wildlife (especially deer); and another to Mull, one of the more touristed but mysterious islands.

If you go to Barra, be sure to check the schedule of the annual music festival and the annual games. —LF

Visit Hebrides (www.visithebrides.com); Isle of Barra (www.fromscotland.com/barra/introduction.html).

Tours: Clearwater Paddling ( 01871-810-443;www.clearwaterpaddling.com). Adventure Hebrides ( 44/1851-820 726;www.adventurehebrides.com). Uist Outdoor Centre (44/1876-500480;www.uistoutdoorcentre.co.uk).

When to Go: Spring, summer, and fall.

Barra Airport. Flybe Airlines from Glasgow and Benbecula ( 0871 700 053;www.flybe.com).

Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries ( 08000 665000;www.calmac.co.uk) crosses from Oban to Barra.

$$ Dunardlodge, Castle Bay ( 01871-810-443;www.dunardlodge.co.uk). $ The Isle of Barra Beach Hotel, Tangasdale ( 01871-810383; www.isleofbarrahotel.co.uk). $ Craigard Hotel, Castlebay ( 01871-810200;www.craigardhotel.co.uk).

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Kayaking in the Andaman Sea

Paddling Through Mangroves

Krabi, Thailand

We were paddling slowly in our sea kayak alongside the limestone cliffs and through the mangroves of the Adaman Sea on the West Coast of the Southern Peninsula of Thailand. One of our guides spotted a monkey in the trees and a member of our group pulled a banana from her bag. The monkey jumped down, swam to the kayak—Will swim for food!—jumped aboard, and grabbed the banana. He grabbed her bag, too, and jumped back in the water. The bag sank as the monkey swam back to shore.

Except for that funny and unpredictable incident, gliding through the mangroves near Krabi is an extremely tranquil experience. And yet it’s completely exhilarating. The current is gentle, the water is flat, and paddling is easy, but you never really know what you’ll see around the next bend. This entire area is an ancient reef that’s been weathered and eroded for eons by water and wind. The limestone islands with straight walled cliffs are filled with hidden lagoons, tunnels, and caves, many of which have enthralling stalactites; others have ancient aboriginal drawings. Keep an eye out for wildlife, like birds of prey, monitor lizards, and possibly even monkeys. Each site is more interesting than the one before, leaving a lasting impression of this beautiful region. When (or if) you tire of just seeing the sights, take a more active approach. On our trip, the tide went out as we were paddling and sandbars became accessible. We beached the kayaks, had a great swim, and snorkeled before shoving off again.

On the water in Thailand.

Your best option is to do this trip with a guide (we’ve listed a couple of outfitters below), unless you know the region well and are an experienced kayaker. With a guide, even children and first-time kayakers will enjoy the trip.

Water-lovers will adore Krabi for more than just its kayaking. Less touristy than Phuket, the beaches are pristine with soft white sand. You can spend your days lounging, or take a cruise among the more than 150 mostly uninhabited islands. You can even hire a boat to take you to Phang Nga Bay and the island where the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun was filmed. (The bay is stunning, but the island is now a tourist stop.)

The waters around Krabi are clear and ideal for snorkeling and