Arenal Kayaks Tours on Lake Arenal, Costa Rica

Had a backlog of other work to do but it was such an aswesome day out we had to go for a paddle. Sunny but quite windy and some nice big rollers coming from downlake. We decided to take the 2nd half of Island Tour #2 around the small island and a little further towards Rainbow Bay.

Heading from the put in towards the island means the rollers coming from downlake are off the port side aft, not quite following seas but sort of close. Add a wind coming from starboard and the surface currents become quite turbulent. Following seas are hard enough in the Great Auk but add the wind and it's a real challenge to make course. Can't just stop paddling because foundering could end up in a flip with the size of the rollers passing through. But, of course, even with all that, it's a lot of fun. Especially when everything is working and you catch a bit of surf action. Pretty cool.

Once around the other side of the island, there's a brief section that is protected from the wind. All that remains is the water current pushing along quite fast. It's a small island so in no time we round the other end and have the wind to deal with.

We decided to cross the channel between the island and the peninsula and go a bit farther on. Partly to get more paddle time and partly to get into some calm water. But, we didn't go all that far. Sat and watched one of our neighbors motoring his sailboat upwind and disappear around the island. After that it was turn around and finish the loop.

There are actually 2 islands next to each other here. Passing through the channel between the first leads to the second, much larger, island. Lots of wind and currents through the channel and then a brief respite while coming around the 2nd island before heading up directly into the wind and waves for the return leg. Coming around this island we saw our friend in the sailboat returning under sail this time.

A good workout and one of the best ways to enjoy a sunny day on Lake Arenal.