The kayaks are stacked in neat rows on deck, glinting with a fine crust of frost. The sea is glassy and silver, broken only by the ripple of a petrel skimming low across the surface. Below deck, the kettle whistles, above deck the wind stirs. In an hour, we’ll slide into Antarctic water, ready to begin our kayaking adventure.
Moments like these – launching a kayak from the deck of a ship into wild, remote water – never lose their impact. I’ve been lucky enough to experience these in the tropics, the subantarctic, and just shy of the North Pole, and what stays with me every time isn’t just the scenery or wildlife – it’s the way the vessel makes it all possible.
We’re not talking massive cruise liner or resort-style ship, but a small expedition vessel or classic yacht. A floating basecamp that allows us to reach places few paddlers ever do – and return each evening to a dry cabin, a warm meal and good company.
From icebergs to island reefs, it’s kayaking heaven
At SSV, our ship-based trips vary in scale and setting – from 10-passenger yachts in the tropics to 50-plus-guest expedition vessels in the Arctic and Antarctic – but they all work the same way: the vessel is your mobile launch pad, opening up coastlines that would be hard to access otherwise.
In Fiji, a comfortable motor yacht lets you paddle between palm-fringed beaches, snorkel over coral reefs and visit island villages – without needing to repack or relocate each day. After sun-soaked outings, you return to sunset views, cocktails on deck and a freshly prepared dinner.
In the Solomon Islands or Sulawesi, the liveaboard gives access to remote island groups and marine reserves teeming with life. Days are spent kayaking, snorkelling and beachcombing, while the boat moves quietly in the background, ready for the next leg.
In Komodo National Park, your floating base follows the contours of the landscape – from calm bays and fringing reefs to volcanic ridgelines. With the kayak as your front-row seat and the ship close behind, it’s easy to mix paddling with walks and wildlife encounters.
Then there’s the polar regions. In Antarctica, our small expedition vessel becomes both sanctuary and springboard – allowing you to paddle past towering icebergs, land beside penguin colonies, and navigate beneath glacier-lined cliffs.
We also charter expedition ships to Arctic destinations like Svalbard, Greenland and Baffin Island – small, ice-strengthened vessels that can anchor in remote fjords and sheltered bays that few travellers ever reach.
Why it works and what to expect
This style of paddling gives you range. Ships can reposition overnight to find the best conditions, meaning more time exploring and less time battling the elements. And if you don’t feel like paddling one day? You can join a zodiac excursion, go for a hike or just stay aboard and take it all in from the deck.
Comfort plays a big part too – real beds, hot showers, cooked meals and plenty of space to relax. It’s also a social experience – you share meals and sightings with like-minded travellers, and learn from guides who know the region deeply.
Whether you’re paddling past icebergs, exploring reef-lined coasts or landing on a quiet beach, having a boat as your base gives you the freedom to reach places that are otherwise hard to access.
Liveaboard life has a rhythm all its own. The itinerary adjusts with the conditions, the days are shaped by the elements, and each outing offers something new. You spend more time out there – and less time worrying about the logistics. At the end of the day, there’s a hot meal, a dry bunk and the chance to do it all again tomorrow.
For many paddlers, that combination of access, comfort and simplicity is hard to beat.
Toby Story is the Lead Guide and Director of SSV, which offers liveaboard and expedition cruise paddling trips in some of the wildest corners of the world.
