Free kayaking for Aridane's young people: the sea with the next generation

18 July 2026 7 min read By Vive La Palma

At Vive La Palma Tour Experience we believe the sea around this island shouldn't be a privilege reserved for those on holiday. It belongs to the people who live here. So when the Los Llanos de Aridane Town Council and its Youth Department asked us to bring kayaking to the young people of the area, we didn't hesitate for a second.

On 4 and 5 July 2026, the beach at Puerto Naos filled up with orange life jackets, paddles and plenty of enthusiasm. The activity, completely free, was aimed at young people aged 12 to 18, with the goal of letting them discover the beaches of Aridane from a perspective they rarely get to enjoy: from the water.

This article is part of our blog about what to do in La Palma, where we share experiences, routes and tips to enjoy the island both in and out of the water.

What the "Free Kayaking Route" of Aridane was

In a nutshell: a public initiative for the municipality's young people to try sea kayaking safely and at no cost. These were the key facts of the activity:

Official poster of the Free Kayaking Route for the young people of Aridane at Puerto Naos

An outing designed for the area's young people

The idea was simple and powerful at the same time: full equipment, qualified local guides and a guided outing along the coast to discover, stroke by stroke, one of the most beautiful stretches of the west coast of La Palma. For many of the participants it was the first time they had ever stepped into a kayak, and that's exactly the part we love most: watching how, within minutes, their initial wariness of the sea turns into confidence, laughter and the urge to go just a little further.

Young people getting the kayaks ready on Puerto Naos beach before setting off

Behind every outing there's a routine we take great care over: a safety briefing, an explanation of paddling technique, the handing out of certified equipment and small groups so that no participant ever loses sight of their guide. The result is a safe activity in which the young people are the stars, learn a new sport and take home a different relationship with their own coastline.

How the day went, step by step

Although every group has its own rhythm, all the outings followed the same pattern, designed so that anyone could enjoy it without any stress:

  1. Welcome and kitting out: handing out life jackets and paddles, and a first hands-on with the kayak on the sand.
  2. Safety briefing: how to sit, how to paddle, how to turn and what to do if the kayak tips over (spoiler: nothing happens, sit-on-top kayaks are very stable).
  3. Onto the water: the first few metres are always the most fun, full of laughter and the odd splash.
  4. Guided route: a gentle-paced trip along the coast, stopping to take in the volcanic shoreline and the seabed.
  5. Return and farewell: back to the beach with that mix of good tiredness and the urge to do it all again.
Group of young people putting the kayaks into the water at Puerto Naos, La Palma

Why Puerto Naos is the perfect setting

It's no coincidence that the activity was held at Puerto Naos. At over 500 metres long, it is the largest black-sand beach on La Palma and one of the sunniest on the island. Its calm waters and its sheer size make it an ideal place to take up kayaking safely, especially for younger paddlers.

Puerto Naos beach with kayaks during the activity for young people, Los Llanos de Aridane

Puerto Naos is also a place with a very special recent history: after the difficult years that followed the 2021 volcanic eruption, the area has slowly been recovering its pulse and its people. Seeing the beach full of young people paddling, laughing and enjoying the sea is, for us, one of the best possible images of that return to life.

Sport, sea and community: more than a summer activity

Young people kayaking during the free activity on the Aridane coast

The outing with the Youth Department wasn't a one-off. Over those same days we also shared a kayaking session with the champions of the children's category of the Torneito beach football tournament at Puerto Naos, who celebrated their title by trying this sport for the first time. Watching those kids go from scoring goals on the sand to holding a paddle in the water, on the same beach and in the same week, sums up rather well what drives us: using the sea as a tool to build community, health and good memories.

The value of bringing the sea closer to local young people

On an island surrounded by ocean, it's surprising how little the sea is sometimes enjoyed in an active way. Initiatives like this one change that: they give the area's young people the chance to discover an accessible, healthy outdoor sport, to lose their fear of the water and to look at their own coastline with fresh eyes. And, along the way, they plant a seed: some of those boys and girls will be the next guides, instructors or simply lovers of the La Palma sea.

Thank you to the Los Llanos de Aridane Town Council, to the Youth Department and to everyone who champions grassroots sport on the island. The fact that dozens of young people from the area have been able to paddle for free along their own coast isn't just a summer activity: it's a way of telling them that this sea belongs to them too.

Do you organise activities for young people? Partner with us

Are you a town council, a school or an association looking to organise a kayaking activity for your group of young people? We put together bespoke outings, safe and adapted to every age, on the west coast of La Palma.

Organise an activity with us

Experience La Palma from the water

Whether you're from the island or just visiting, the best way to understand La Palma is by paddling alongside its volcanic cliffs. Discover our guide to kayaking in La Palma, the Cueva Bonita kayak tour or take a look at all our experiences to enjoy the west coast as it deserves.

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Frequently asked questions

Who organised the kayaking activity for young people in Puerto Naos?

The free kayaking outing was driven by the Los Llanos de Aridane Town Council and its Youth Department, and run by the team of guides at Vive La Palma Tour Experience on 4 and 5 July 2026 at Puerto Naos beach.

What age did you have to be to take part?

The activity was aimed at young people aged 12 to 18 from the Aridane area.

How much did the activity cost?

It was completely free, with 28 places per day, funded by the Los Llanos de Aridane Town Council as part of its youth programme.

Where did the kayaking outing take place?

At Puerto Naos beach, in the municipality of Los Llanos de Aridane, on the west coast of La Palma. It is the largest black-sand beach on the island.

Do you need previous experience or to know how to swim?

No previous experience is required: the guides give a full briefing before heading out onto the water. Being able to swim is essential, and all participants wear a certified life jacket.

Is kayaking safe for teenagers?

Yes. We work with small groups, qualified local guides, certified equipment and a safety and paddling-technique briefing before every outing, adapting the pace to each group.

Can a similar activity be organised for another group, school or municipality?

Yes. We put together bespoke kayaking outings for town councils, schools, associations and youth groups, adapted to the age and level of the participants. Get in touch and we'll look at each case.

What should you bring to a kayaking activity like this?

Swimwear, a towel, water-resistant sun cream, water to stay hydrated and, if you have them, water shoes. We provide the rest of the equipment (kayak, paddle, life jacket and dry bags).