Beaches
A canoe trip for champs! How to cross from Golden Bay to Riviera Martinique on a canoe
Row, row, row that canoe

Kristina Cassar Dowling

canoe

Get geared up everyone - it’s time for an adventure you’ll want to repeat each and every weekend until the Mediterranean sea allows. Our waters are so inviting, and making the most out of what they have to offer is the best way to enjoy the summer sun. Have you ever considered a canoe trip from Golden Bay all the way round to Riviera Martinique? Sounds challenging right? Well, I did it, so you can definitely do it too! Here's how.

It all starts with a short drive to Golden Bay; where the canoe trip of your dreams awaits. A double canoe always works better if you plan to take a few photos and get the job done a whole lot easier, but a single one allows you to get your adventure on and discover secluded areas a little easier. For this trip, a double canoe was absolutely necessary - the waves were pretty intense on the day, so the double paddle power was a plus. 

Top tip: Park your car as close to the beach as possible; this will make your trip a whole lot easier after the spot of extreme sports you’ve just enjoyed! If you’ve done this a couple of times before though, you will definitely manage the walk back to the car.

canoe

Pack yourself some water, a snorkel set, an underwater camera if you’ve got one and a hat to protect your head from the sun. You can book the canoe for a minimum of one hour, so there’s ample time to get around the bay and discover the surroundings if the current is in your favour. Your route is only determined by the swimming zone - an area you should avoid crossing over to make sure you don’t hit any swimmers on your voyage. 

Top tip: Aim your canoe towards the wave so you can easily ride the the swells, angling your canoe away from the motion of the ocean will make your journey a little more difficult - you will have to turn at some point, but it’s all manageable. 

Once you break away from Golden Bay and start turning into Riviera Martinique, you’re going to have to manoeuvre around some rocky areas that jut out of the sea - there's ample space to move around, just be aware of what you’re doing and appreciate the surroundings - this is where things get a whole lot more beautiful!

canoe

Top tip: Once you’re clear of the mini-islands en route; get your camera ready; the Riviera views are awesome! There’s a lot of gorgeous spots around that really deserve to get their picture taken. The super watch tower on the edge of the cliff, the surrounding sand dunes, the bay itself and the beautiful sea views are timeless. 

Make your way to the shore, canoe tidily moved to the side; and get yourself ready to jump into the salty water for a few minutes - you’ll need that pick me up after your tiring journey! Also, there’s a little catch here that you don’t really think about… getting onto the canoe is quite a challenge if there’s no attendant to help you out with a firm push. So, brace yourself for a comedic jump, slip and slide… it might happen. 

Top tip: Allow the front seat rider to get onto the canoe first; this will be the most difficult part as the canoe is not totally steady. The next person will find it a little easier; but they’re the ones who are going to have to push the canoe out! 

When you’re travelling back to Golden Bay; leave yourself about 20 minutes; it will be more than enough to get back to shore, out of your life jackets and back onto dry land. If you plan on exploring the area from another angle, allow yourself 30 minutes or so - there are quite a few snorkelling spots to discover. 

2nd August 2019


Kristina Cassar Dowling
Written by
Kristina Cassar Dowling
A local writer in love with the Maltese islands, Kristina is a hunter for all things cultural both in Malta and outside its shores. A curious foodie, music fanatic, art lover and keen traveller with an open mind and a passion for writing.

You may also like...
Beaches
Beaches
Check out mysterious cart ruts and temples

Melanie Drury
Beaches

Emma Galea
Beaches

Emma Galea
Beaches
New & now
New & now
Keep these spots in mind next time you want a great Insta post.

Kim Vella