I love ocean canoeing.
I've done it in quite a few places, but I spend most of my time on the water in the Pacific Northwest and Brazil, mid way around the states of Rio and Sao Paulo. Both locations have unique challenges, but I would say that the cold water of the Pacific makes it a little more interesting, from a technical point of view. Not much room for error there.
But, in Brazil, depending where you are, it can get pretty weird very fast. The coastline is not as favorable for landings and you need to have your chops to handle unpredictable distances in rough weather because of that. I've nearly been caught out a few times and wondered how it was all going to shake out with a pounding surf and huge rocks to look forward to if there was a swim involved.
I have a wooden kayak I built, which I still use, but there is something about a canoe in ocean conditions that appeals to me more. Movement of water just feels good in a small craft and a canoe is full of style, especially on an ocean.
Quite a few sail boats have come along side to have a double take and when I pull up to a beach with a load of kayakers on shore, it's always a conversation. With (and only with) kayakers, some love it and some hate it. Like you are causing them personal offense by being out there in your canoe. It's very interesting. I think the ones who hate it are just jealous... or it's because I'm smoking my pipe after a roaring paddle. Most are good about it though.
I had a background in whitewater sports a long time ago, and I transitioned into ocean canoeing with that setup. I'd not recommend going out in a canoe on the ocean without first giving yourself some time to learn challenging conditions near shore first. You can certainly get into trouble. But, once you start, you'll likely never stop. It's a very beautiful watercraft, and underappreciated, I think.
Hell, I could talk about canoeing, kayaking, white water, sailing, and anything to do with water a hundred times longer than I can about pipes.
If I'm landlocked and looking for some adventure, I'm usually scrambling up a mountain or through a jungle somewhere. Anything to get away from city life for a few days and get that good dose of company you find in nature. The health benefits are pretty good too, but that's pretty far down on the list of reasons why.