Kayaking around the World
The first place to start when thinking about a trip overseas is Jim Cassady and Dan Dunlap's book World Whitewater, which is an excellent source of information for the world's best whitewater (it's available from the AW bookstore). Sadly, Dan died on the river a couple years ago so a revised edition of this book is unlikely.
I've started a collection of links to information on kayaking around the world. There are two types of links here--commercial outfitters catering to hard-shell boaters and invididuals or clubs who have good local river information (you'll notice its incomplete but I'll add links as folks ask to be listed or I find them). Drop me a line if you want to be listed.
For some good information on flying with your boat check the site Frazer Pearce maintains on Flying with Boats. My suggestion is to purchase a round-trip voucher for your kayak before you leave (at the time you buy your ticket), and have the fact that you are bringing a kayak printed on your ticket. This removes a lot of the hassle and unknowns--of course if you really want to avoid the hassle then just link up with an outfitter who can provide you with a kayak locally. I really like the WildWasser Gear Depot for flying because it's a nice bag for packing everything in your kayak. Last I checked you could purchase online from Colorado Kayak.
Canada
River Info
National website with links to river information across the country
Headwaters Press
Stuart Smith is the source of the best information on paddling Western Canada.
Paddleguides
Descriptions of some of the more popular BC runs.
Mexico
Toby Robey's book A Gringo's Guide to Mexican Whitewater is an excellent source of information for paddlers visiting this country, and is available from the AW bookstore.
Expediciones Agua Azul
Mexico is the whitewater secret of Latin America. Uncrowded rivers, every class of rapids, warm water and hundreds of waterfalls make Mexico a paddling paradise.
Kayak Mexico
Kayak Mexico invites you to join us for an unforgettable kayaking adventure vacation or instructional clinic or one-day sea kayaking excursion in Veracruz Mexico. Known as Mexico’s Costa Esmeralda or Emerald Coast, Veracruz is a region as rich in adventure as it is in natural beauty, culture and history. The rivers offer excellent whitewater opportunities for paddlers of every level of skill and comfort.
Endless River Adventures
Our trips focus on the rivers found in the Veracruz regions of southern Mexico. The Veracruz regions boasts some of the highest peaks in Mexico, the oldest civilization (the Olmecs) and some of the best whitewater to be found in the country. The itinerary of rivers you will paddle includes crystal clear creek runs cascading through steep walled canyons, runnable waterfalls and great play spots.
Guatemala
information to be added
Honduras
information to be added
Costa Rica
Bob Gedekoh wrote a good article in the Jul/Aug 2002 issue of American Whitewater titled Costa Rican Whitewater, A Turrialba Sampler, that includes a lot of good information on rivers and logistics in Costa Rica.
International Adventures Unlimited
Adventure Travel Company specializing in Tailor made adventures that go "Above & Beyond" the expected. If you can think it, we can do it! Custom private trips for families, honeymooners, friends & groups of any size.
Rios Tropicales
A raft and sea kayak outfitter but the web page has some good information on a few of the rivers.
Endless River Adventures
Our trips are planned for the tail end of the rainy season, late October through mid-December. A wide variety of rivers are accessible through this timeframe and trip plans are flexible depending on water levels and group skill levels.
RainForest World
Phil Coleman and the staff at RainForest World are dedicated to providing you with a kayak trip the way YOU want it… no hassle, no worries. We have a great selection of kayaks, comfortable shuttle vehicles, great food and lots of smiling faces! One more BIG difference, RainForest World provides raft support on all river runs! This means non-kayakers can enjoy these beautiful rivers too.
Chile
Chile Whitewater
The book John Foss started on whitewater in Chile.
Expediciones Chile
Expediciones Chile invites you to come explore Patagonia: a magical place where hundreds of glacial lakes are connected by thousands of kilometers of pristine rivers, all flowing through the dramatic Andean Mountain range. Come visit us in the heart of this paradise: the Futaleufú River Valley.
Argentina
information to be added
Peru
Peru Whitewater
Kurt Casey's excellent guide to whitewater in Peru.
Eric Adventures
If you are an experienced kayaker, we offer you the rental of quality kayaks, and the company of our country’s best paddlers. If you are a beginner, Cusco offers an excellent place to learn to kayak
Ecuador
DeRiemer Adventure Kayaking
Since 1995 DeRiemer Adventure Kayaking has offered the ultimate kayaking experience in Ecuador. This country is one of the most species-rich nations in the world with a diverse cultural heritage and breathtaking scenery. The water quality is excellent and the river valleys lightly populated.
Small World Adventures
We invite you to challenge yourself on some of the world's most appealing rivers. Since 1993, we have been exploring Ecuador and now spend each winter there; using the knowledge gained on over 50 runs to lead the best kayaking trips possible. We take care of the shuttles, lodging, food, transportation, logistics, and any other arrangements, expected or unexpected.
Rios Ecuador
In Ecuador, the massive Andean mountain range gives birth to scores of whitewater rivers. In fact, Ecuador has one of the world's highest concentrations of rivers per square mile. These rivers wind their way through spectacular gorges, canyons, valleys and jungles, and leave behind hundreds of miles of breathtaking world class whitewater that feed into the mighty Amazon River.
Yacu Amu Rafting
Yacu Amu Rafting was born of a love of rivers and all they have to offer. And the rivers of Ecuador offer some of the most rewarding river experiences to be had on the planet.
Endless River Adventures
For whitewater paddlers, Ecuador offers a network of river falling off either side of the Andes-the spectacular range of mountains which serve as the backbone of the country.
Africa
For those interested in some of the early days of exploring whitewater in Africa, Richard Bangs made several first descents and has written a number of books on his adventures. A new guidebook, Run the Rivers of South Africa by Celliers Kruger, is an excellent guide to that country's rivers (information on the book at Fluid Designs).
The Zambezi.com
The Zambezi River has the reputation of being a tough and difficult river to paddle, however this is not necessarily all true. Most intermediate class IV paddlers with a good roll and the right attitude will find the Zambezi to be well within their ability. With our support organising the logistics, here is how we intend to show you the best ten-day paddling holiday you WILL EVER HAVE!
Europe
The UK Rivers Guidebook
This is a great site and actually covers areas beyond the UK. The information on Norway is especially comprehensive and the page of links is very useful for anyone planning a trip to Europe.
Corsica
There is a short chapter in World Whitewater featuring the creek's of Corsica. The guide by Joseph Haas is most accurate, despite it being quite old. It is, however, difficult to get hold of a copy. There are two volumes, each covering different rivers. Each page is given in German and French - even if your German and French are poor, still worth getting. Chris Koll wrote an excellent article for the American Whitewater journal (pdf format). And Corran Addison's film End Game has some amazing footage of the steepest creeks.
Pat's Paddling Guide to Corsica
Simon Dawson Corsica River Guide
Willie's Corsica trip 2003 (photos)
Turkey
Alternatif Outdoor
A company providing Rafting, Kayak and Adventure experiences in Turkey. They can help independent paddlers with kayak rental and logistical assistance.
Ecoraft
An outdoor travel company with specially designed trips for kayakers on Çoruh, Dalaman, Esen, Manavgat, Alara rivers in Turkey
Russia (and former USSR)
Rivers of an Unknown Land
Vladimir Gavrilov has started work on a guidebook that he hopes to publish. He provides some excellent information online.
Nepal
Peter Knowles' book Whitewater Nepal is an excellent source of information for paddlers visiting this country, and is available from the AW bookstore. The video of Scott Lindgren's Upper Karnali trip has some great footage of the more remote sections of this river, and is available from Outside TV.
Whitewater Adventures - Nepal
Provides some good information on Nepal's more popular rivers along with several links of interest to paddles traveling to this country.
India
information to be added
Japan
Paddleguides
Online guide to Japan's most popular runs
China
Shangri La Expeditions
Commercial Outfitter running trips in China and Tibet
Taiwan
information to be added
Fiji
information to be added
Indonesia
information to be added
Australia
New Zealand
Charles Graham's book New Zealand Whitewater is an excellent source of information for paddlers visiting this country, and is available from the AW bookstore.
New Zeland Recreational Canoeing Association
Fluid Dreams
Trip journal of a long road trip through New Zealand