Recreational or Touring Kayaks: Which One Should I Choose?

So, you’ve decided to buy a kayak. Great choice! But now comes the tricky part—choosing between a touring kayak and a recreational kayak. While both are fantastic in their own right, they ultimately serve different purposes. Whether you’re after a relaxed paddle on a calm lake or an adventure that takes you across vast waterways, picking the right kayak is key to an enjoyable experience.

Let’s dive into the details and break down everything you need to know about both touring kayaks and recreational kayaks, from their technical differences to storage, pricing, skill level, and more.

The Basics: What’s the Difference?

If you’re new to the scene, you might think all kayaks look pretty similar, but there are some crucial differences–even between lightweight touring kayaks and recreational kayaks. These differences affect everything from design to performance, comfort and ease of use.

In the sections below, we’ll start with some of the basics, then explain some of the important differences in design, accessibility, and suitability.

Recreational Kayaks: Simple, Stable, and Fun

Recreational kayaks are designed for easy paddling on calm waters. They’re generally shorter and wider, making them stable and less prone to tipping over. Recreational kayaks come in many different shapes, sizes and designs.

If you’re looking to go paddling for a bit of exercise or you’re planning holiday adventures with family and friends, recreational kayaks are a perfect option for you.

Most recreational kayaks are either sit-in or sit-on-top designs. A sit-in kayak keeps you drier and warmer, while a sit-on-top kayak is easier to get in and out of, making it great for mild to warmer weather paddling.

Touring Kayaks: Built for Speed and Distance

Touring kayaks are, for the most part, designed for longer trips, as well as efficiency and speed. Their longer and narrower design often featuring a skeg or rudder allows them to track straighter in the water with less effort. So, if you want to cover serious distances or explore coastal waters, a touring kayak just may be your best bet.

Touring kayaks almost always have a sit-in design with enclosed cockpits that protect paddlers from wind and waves.

Design Features

Bulkheads

While most light touring kayaks come with a bulkhead at both the front and back, a recreational model usually only has just the one. A bulkhead is a critical design feature that provides dry storage and can help the kayak to stay afloat if it tips over or takes on a large amount of water.

Comfort

Another design difference of note is the size of the cockpit itself. Generally, recreational kayaks have a wider cockpit design that makes it easier to enter and exit the kayak. This can be particularly beneficial for beginners or anyone with flexibility issues.

Although the cockpit of a touring kayak is more enclosed, this actually allows for greater control and movement (such as with your legs). This means that when you’re paddling in rough water, there’s more engagement and another touch point.

The cockpit may also have thigh braces installed that assist with bracing in rougher water to enhance stability.

Seating

The next difference, which also relates to comfort, is the seating arrangement. In the typical recreational kayak, seating is a little more flexible and adjustable. This makes it a little easier for beginners to adjust to the feeling of sitting on the kayak.

In a touring kayak, the seating arrangement is likely to be a bit more rigid. However, this can actually help to improve posture. This design also allows for more dedicated storage space, which really comes in handy for longer kayaking trips or using a spray skirt.

Suitability: Who Should Choose What?

Choosing between a recreational and a touring kayak depends on what kind of paddling you plan to do.

Recreational Kayaks Are Best For:

Beginners or casual paddlers
Relaxing trips on lakes, calm rivers, and sheltered bays
Shorter paddling sessions (1-3 hours)
Families, kids, and those who want a stable and easy ride

Touring Kayaks Are Best For:

Paddlers who want to cover long distances
Exploring open water, oceans, and large rivers
Multi-day adventures and camping trips
Enthusiasts focused on speed, tracking, and performance

If you just want a kayak for fun weekends, a recreational kayak will do the job. But if you dream of paddling for hours on end and reaching hidden coastal gems, a touring kayak is the way to go.

Skill Level: How Easy Are They to Use?

If you’re a beginner, haven’t paddled for a while, or want a nice relaxing on-water experience, a recreational kayak is usually the best option. They’re stable, comfortable, and don’t require too much experience to handle.

Touring kayaks, on the other hand, generally require a higher level of experience and skill. Their narrow design makes them faster but also more prone to tipping, so balance and paddling technique matter more. If you’re new but determined to go for a touring kayak, expect a learning curve and even consider some lessons.

Storage & Transportation: Will It Fit?

Since recreational kayaks are shorter, they’re a little easier to transport and store. You can typically fit one in the back of a ute or on a standard roof rack without much trouble.

Touring kayaks, however, are usually between 14 - 18 feet long, making transportation more challenging. If you choose a touring kayak, you’ll likely need a proper kayak roof rack and storage space at home to accommodate its length.

Be sure to read our recent article on ‘How to Properly Store and Transport Your Kayak’ for more tips and tricks!

Different Types of Recreational and Touring Kayaks

Types of Recreational Kayaks

Sit-on-top kayaks: Great for summer paddling, easy to get in and out of.
Sit-in kayaks: Provide better protection from cold water.
Fishing kayaks: Extra stability and design features for anglers.
Inflatable kayaks: Ultra-portable and great for travel.

Types of Touring Kayaks

Day touring kayaks: Shorter touring kayaks (12-14 feet), a balance between speed and stability.
Sea kayaks: Long and sleek for coastal adventures.
Expedition kayaks: Designed for multi-day trips with extra storage.

Get High-Quality Kayaks at PaddleZone

Although we’ve covered the fundamentals, the best way to see the difference is to explore some real-life examples of both recreational and touring kayaks. With that in mind, here are some of the many excellent kayaks we have for sale in Australia.

Point 65 Sweden Raider

Point 65 continues to produce a great range of kayak models, and the Raider is certainly no exception as an entry level touring kayak. Whether you’re into day excursions, fishing, photography, or just enjoying the water, there’s a Raider for everyone. The large cockpit is designed for easy entry and exit, accommodating all types of paddlers.

The ergonomically designed seat provides excellent leg support and a comfortable paddling position. Lightweight yet sturdy, the Raider is easy to load and carry, so you can take it wherever your adventure leads.

There’s also a variety of colours to choose from!

Prijon Prilite Neptun Touring Kayak

The Neptun Prilite is a high-performance sea kayak designed for medium to larger paddlers seeking excitement and agility on the ocean, while also offering enough storage for multi-day expeditions. The modern skeg design provides stability and manoeuvrability for ocean surfing but is also suitable for inland lakes and rivers. The lightweight PriLite hull also allows for effortless paddling and transportation.

From the subtle Metallic Silver to an eye-catching Orange, this touring model is hard to pass up!

Stellar Intrepid Sea Kayak (SI 18)

A very capable kayak with a more traditional hull design. Hard chines, a defined keel and a retractable skeg, provide excellent handling in the Rock-Gardens or longer adventures.

With 3 sealed storage compartments, a small day hatch in front of the cockpit and deck rigging, the SI18 provides plenty of storage options and accessibility. A moulded seat pad and thigh brace provide comfort and stability when it gets rough.