A Polish adventurer who crossed the Atlantic three times by kayak unaided has died climbing Kilimanjaro, his family said on Tuesday.

Aleksander Doba, a 74-year-old retired engineer with a thick white beard and a piercing gaze, was a popular figure in Poland.

"It is with profound regret that we announce the death of the great kayaker Alesander Doba on February 22. He died like an adventurer after reaching Africa's highest peak, Kilimanjaro, realising his dreams," his family said in a Facebook post.

Polish adventurer Aleksander Doba (pictured May 2016), a 74-year-old retired engineer with a thick white beard and a piercing gaze, was a popular figure in his home country
Polish adventurer Aleksander Doba (pictured May 2016), a 74-year-old retired engineer with a thick white beard and a piercing gaze, was a popular figure in his home country AFP / EDUARDO MUNOZ ALVAREZ

According to Polish media reports, Doba lost consciousness shortly after reaching the 5,891.8-metre peak and never regained it despite efforts to revive him.

Doba's first trans-Atlantic crossing from Senegal to Brazil took him from October 2010 to February 2011, the second from Portugal to US shores from October 2013 to April 2014.

His third voyage from US to French shores lasted 111 days.