#24 Kayak into a sea cave. Complete.
Earlier this Spring I completed my one star kayak training with the Shetland Canoe Club, meaning I was qualified to go out on trips with the club this summer. We’ve done a few small (5-6 mile) trips on club nights and I’m delighted to say that thanks to them I have crossed #24 ‘kayak into a sea cave’ off my 40 Things I’d Like to Do Before I Turn 40 list.
After what’s been called the worst summer weather in Shetland in 30 years, the weather conditions were finally expected to be favourable and so, to take advantage of this, an extra special trip on a non club night was planned for Friday the 3rd of July.
My kayaking friend collected me at 4 pm after a shift at work and a quick trip into town to buy myself a brand new Go Pro Hero 4 Silver camera. After kayaking into sea caves on two previous trips I vowed I would not be doing this trip without my own waterproof camera!
We began our journey at the Blade, a stretch of beach in Ronas Voe, just across the water from Ronas Hill (where I had attempted to camp not so long ago, regular readers will remember!). I was told that this beach never used to be here. It formed after a pier was built for a herring station in the area, long since abandoned.
There were 12 of us in total and we explored our way up the west side of the voe, rock hopping, paddling through natural arches and sea caves, some of them so narrow the kayak could barely fit in, or we had to duck and push our way through. Puffins flew and clumsily landed in the water around us, tirricks (Arctic terns) screeched at us for disturbing them, seals poked their heads out of the water and watched us with curiosity and shags ungracefully base jumped off the cliffs belly flopping into the sea below. Vibrant red sea cliffs, the remains of an ancient magma chamber, towered overhead all while the summer sun warmly shone down. As we journeyed closer towards the furthermost tip of land in the distance the cliffs turned from red to black – old lava flows, I believe, the same as found in Eshaness.
It was magical.
Photographs don’t do this trip any justice and so I’ve edited down the hour of footage I took with my camera to give you a taster of the best bits.
The Go Pro battery died just as we got to The Faither, a towering archway opening up to the North Sea. This is reported to be one of the best stacks in Shetland.
One of the things I love about the Shetland Canoe Club and Sea Kayak Shetland is that, as a beginner, they push you that little bit further each time. Crossing through the archway at The Faither found us all out in the open sea, a much more turbulent sea state than the calm waters we’d been used to for the whole evening. We all handled it remarkably well.
After The Faither we crossed over to the Ronas Hill side of the voe, stopping for a short comfort break on a beach, and then carrying on the coastline back to the Blade.
You can see in the below photo how clouds like to sit on top of Ronas Hill – even if the weather is lovely everywhere else, clouds like to have wee rest breaks on Shetland’s largest hill.
It was well after midnight when we came ashore, the lingering sunset still colouring the horizon behind us, and nearly 2 am before I arrived home, exhausted and aching somewhat, but grinning ear to ear.
With thanks to Angus Nicol of Sea Kayak Shetland for the above photo of me in the sunset, and for being our expert guide and leading us on such an unforgettable, magical experience.
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A Traditional Cape Breton Oatcakes Recipe
That looks like a great place to kayak. Gliding through the rocks and sea caves is somewhat an amazing experience I would say.
wow, these are so impressive. I wanna say that, really amazing. Carry on
I’ve had a great day out in Ronas Voe when I first visit on 2015.
That was the first time in a sea kayak but it won’t be my last. Absolutely great fun. It was great value at £40 for over three hours on the water, with a great tour guide/kayak coaching team.
This looks incredible!!! Stunning photos! Definitely being added to my list
This is amazing ! I think you might be hooked ! It reminds me of Andrew,s underground adventures.
Brilliant pictures and video! Would love to try something like this.
Wow Elizabeth! Ronas Voe looks so different a) from the water and b) in glorious weather! Every time we passed it on the road it was shrouded in mist.
I’ve finally been able to watch the video, it looks so serene and blissful. And hoorah for those light nights of midsummer!
Stunning! I love kayaking, but not been since having kids! Last time I kayaked was sea laying over near Oban, I loved it, although I agree it is hard work and I was aching the next day! Looks like an amazing trip! 🙂 x
They say that Shetland islands are famous for puffins. Have you seen some ? The kayaking trip looks awesome !
Wow, as always stunning photos – and what an amazing way to see the amazing landscape – you must have been exhausted doing it so late in to the night/morning. It looks such a magical experience (my friend would love to do this – she’s a world champion kayaker but this would be more her thing now! – I’m going to tell her!) Thanks for sharing on #MondayEscapes
Stunning photos Elizabeth. I’d love to come and visit Shetland one day to do this, the scenery and the geology is outstanding. Looks like you had great fun on this latest adventure.
Oh wow, totally awsome scenery and gosh you had to be careful to keep you head from being bashed! A fabulous hobby! We only ever take our inflatable kayak up the canal to the pub!
Transfixing video, Elizabeth! I was almost ducking myself watching! What adventures you can have up in Shetland. If you are brave at least 😉 Congratulations on ticking off #24
I am envy you on photos. What an amazing experience in life !
The Go Pro shots are amazing! Love the video going through the cave too!
Such lovely photos! Would love to do this sort of thing somewhere. I’m going to the south of France with my parents and their kayaks in Aug!
wow this sounds so fantastic, I love your pics.
What an amazing experience, your photos look amazing – thanks for sharing x
Wow! That looks like quite the trip! Amazing memories.
WOW this looks so good! Amazing location. Would love to visit!