I've been paddling now for some 24 years, and probably two-thirds of my trips have been solo. Much as I enjoy the company of fellow paddlers on the water, I have only so much focus available, and I find that conversation and interaction with other kayakers, while delightful, blocks my ability to fully enter into the experience of the non-human maritime world around me. So I've found that the two-thirds/one-third ratio works well for me. How to do all this solo paddling safely? For me, the five most important factors in sea kayaking are: Judgment, Judgment, Judgment, Experience, and Skills. Hence I make sure to stay well within my personal "envelope" when solo paddling, such that almost any worst-case scenario that I can envision is something that I am confident I can handle. Close study of the weather, especially wind strength and direction, and the tides, and using that info to select the best, safest trip route (and knowing when to stay home or to go home) will go a long way toward solo safety.