Garmin inReach Setup for Expedition Kayakers
The communications device most expedition paddlers carry. Plans, contact protocols, mounting, and battery management.
The product
Garmin inReach Mini 2 is the de-facto standard for solo sea kayak expedition communications. Roughly the size of a 100ml bottle. Two-way text via Iridium satellite network. SOS button connects to GEOS emergency dispatch. Tracking can be shared via a public web page.
Subscription plan
Choose Freedom plan with at minimum the £29.99/month Recreation tier (allows two-way texts and tracking). The Expedition tier (£64.99) is needed for high-volume tracking. Cancel between trips - Freedom plans are month-by-month.
Contact protocols
Agree before launch: daily check-in time (typical: 1900 local), maximum gap before concern (24 hours), maximum gap before search (48 hours). One named shore contact who has your route plan, kayaker description, marine VHF call sign, kit list. They have authority to escalate.
Mounting on the kayak
Most paddlers carry the inReach in a deck pocket or PFD pocket where it can be reached one-handed. Lanyard to the PFD. Battery life is 14 days at 10-minute tracking - charge from a 10,000 mAh power bank during rest stops on longer trips.
Tracking page for family
Share the public MapShare link with family at home. Real-time map of your route updates every 10 minutes when tracking is active. Knowing this exists materially reduces family stress on long expeditions. Caveat: family should also know that 'no movement for 6 hours' usually means 'paddler is asleep' not 'something is wrong'.
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