Thoughts on journeys by Sea Kayak: Expedition, Retreat, and Pilgrimage

By Bendoran Watersports – Adventures on the edge of the sea

The Isles of Mull and Iona have been traversed by sea for centuries – for pilgrims wanting to explore the holy island of Iona, expeditioners wanting to experience the pristine environment and individuals just wanting to get away from their normal lives on retreat to the natural beauty of this stunning area.

Perhaps the most famous seafarer was St Columba, arriving from Ireland in a small leather boat in 563, bringing a few followers and Christianity to pagan Scotland. In recent years, Mull has become a magnet for sea kayakers – the white beaches, stunning coastlines, turquoise water and wildlife combine to produce a unique experience. There’s something timeless about setting off across the water in a sea kayak. It’s a journey that can take many forms — a test of endurance and exploration, a pause for reflection, or a quiet act of connection with nature and self. At Bendoran Watersports, based on the rugged west coast of Scotland, we see these voyages as more than just paddling. The journeys by sea take on the qualities of expeditions, retreats, and pilgrimages — three different ways to understand the same journey.

The Expedition: Discovering Beyond the Horizon

Every paddler feels the pull of the horizon — that irresistible curiosity about what lies beyond the next headland.

Sea kayaking expeditions are about discovery: the map unfolding beneath your paddle, the changing rhythm of the tides, and the satisfaction of navigating with skill and awareness.

An expedition by kayak offers both challenge and reward. It might mean days spent journeying through quiet sea lochs, camping under the stars, and learning to read the sea’s subtle moods. For beginners and intermediate paddlers, guided expeditions are a chance to build confidence and deepen understanding — not just of technique, but of the living world around you.

Retreats: time for your own reflection

Sometimes, the greatest journeys are inward. A sea kayak retreat is a different kind of voyage — one that trades distance for depth. Away from the noise of daily life, time on the water becomes a way to reconnect with yourself, your breath, and the elements.

The slow rhythm of the paddle, the quiet lap of the tide against the hull, the vast sky stretching over an island bay — these moments remind us of our place within something greater – a spiritual connection.

It’s not about how far you go, but how present you can be with every stroke. How you hone curiosity about the environment around you and inside you.

The Pilgrimage: Journeying with Purpose

St. Columba spoke often of “thin places,” where the spiritual world feels particularly close at hand,

and nowhere is this more evident than along the wild south coast of Mull, where sea meets ancient stone. Journeying by kayak to Iona follows the water route that countless seekers have travelled, approaching the holy island as pilgrims have for generations—slowly, with intention, and open to transformation.

Each trip becomes an offering: a mindful passage across familiar seas, where each crossing, landing, and campfire connects us to the spirit of place. Whether visiting remote islands, ancient chapels, or simply following the natural lines of the coastline, the sea becomes both route and ritual. An intentional practice, that invites humility, gratitude, and awe.

Whatever the reason to come out paddling, the extended journey by sea kayak encompasses all the elements of adventure expeditions, a retreat from the everyday and a rekindling of the spirit.

Join Us on the Water

We welcome paddlers of all levels — from beginners discovering the joy of sea kayaking to those ready for multi-day expeditions along Scotland’s breathtaking coastline.

Explore our upcoming journeys, workshops, and guided trips at Bendoran Watersports, and find your own way of travelling by sea.