The 10 Best Adelaide Kayaking Tours

1.Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 560 reviews · 3 hours · from $55Our pick

Paddle Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary with an English-speaking marine biologist guide such as Alex, Paddy, Mark, or Kendall. Expect calm mangrove creeks, birdlife, shipwrecks, and a chance to see wild dolphins without bait or sound tricks. Beginners are welcome, but you must paddle for three hours and children must be at least 10.

“great tour taking us through the dolphin sanctuary and seeing all the shipwrecks. kendall was super helpful in guiding us through the mangroves :) would recommend”

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2.Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 355 reviews · from $56

Kayak from Garden Island through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary with a small group and a naturalist guide such as Alex, Paddy, or Fiona. You’ll receive safety instruction, equipment, and a waterproof bag, then paddle at a slow to moderate pace among mangroves, birds, fish, and possible wild dolphins. No kayaking experience is needed.

“A great experience, Alex was a fab guide - really informative and fun! Sadly didn’t see any dolphins but obviously that is totally out of their control. Kayaking through the mangroves was enjoyable, just wish we had seen some more of the shipwrecks!”

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3.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 275 reviews · from $55Top rated

Join Adventure Kayaking SA for a three-hour paddle from Garden Island, about 30 minutes from Adelaide CBD. Guides such as Luke, Phil, Pippa, Tim, and Oli teach you the basics before leading you through mangrove creeks, the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, and the striking Ships’ Graveyard. Dolphins are likely, but never guaranteed.

“It was really lovely being on the water and seeing the dolphins. I had never been kayaking before, this tour catered to the beginner as well as the experienced.”

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4.Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 143 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Paddle sheltered mangrove creeks and the Port River with an English-speaking guide, watching for dolphins and exploring old shipwrecks. Guides such as Tom, Oliver, Aaron, and Kelahn add local stories and wildlife knowledge. The pace suits beginners, but you need moderate fitness and reliable transport to Garden Island.

“A great day. Guides had lots of interesting stories of the area. For first timers it not too strenuous & was very safe. Very well organized. Highly recommend.”

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5.Full Day Kayaking Tour in Coorong National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 120 reviews · from $39

Set out at 9am with Canoe the Coorong for about three hours of guided kayaking, plus morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a walk across Young Husband Peninsula to the Southern Ocean. Guides such as Brenton, Alex, and Jacko share local natural and cultural knowledge before the trip reaches the Murray Mouth. Expect a small group, changing water conditions, and moderate physical effort.

“Landing on the other side of the murray mouth, walking from the freshwater of the coorong to the ocean and over the sand dunes. Jacko was extremely knowledgeable on the area and was a great guide.”

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6.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · from $39

Join Adventure Kayaking SA at Garden Island for a 90-minute guided paddle through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. You’ll use a sit-in kayak among mangroves, birds, and marine life while your guide, including guides such as Lydia, shares local stories. Dolphins are wild, so sightings are possible but never promised.

“Was very good we had a great time -the weather was good and the view of the mangroves was nice - sad we didn’t see any dolphins”

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7.Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 54 reviews · 1h 30m · from $38

Meet Adventure Kayaking SA on Garden Island for a 90-minute paddle through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary. Your guide, such as Keenan, Darla, Keilan, or Will, gives a safety lesson before leading you through sheltered mangrove creeks. Look for Port River Dolphins, seals, sea lions, and birds. Bring water, sun protection, and shoes that can get wet.

“Will was very welcoming and friendly and gave us a really good understanding of the mangroves environment. unfortunately we didn't see any dolphins but that didn't really matter.”

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8.Dolphin Sanctuary Single or Double Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 51 reviews · 2 hours · from $27Best value

Meet Adventure Kayaking SA at Garden Island Boat Ramp for a safety briefing, map, life vest, and two hours on the water. Choose a single or double kayak and paddle through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary’s mangrove creeks at your own pace. Dolphin sightings are possible, not guaranteed, and the Ship Graveyard is off-limits.

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9.City Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · 1h 30m · from $55

You will paddle the River Torrens for 90 minutes with an English-speaking instructor in a small group of up to eight. No prior kayak experience is required, and your kayak, paddle, life jacket, and secure valuables storage are included. Meet at the blue marquee and kayaks at Pinky Flat.

“It was a beautiful day, the guide was very nice and informative.”

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10.Adelaide City Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $55

Paddle Adelaide’s River Torrens for 90 minutes with Earth Adventure and a qualified kayaking guide. From Pinky Flat, you’ll pass Adelaide Oval, the Festival Centre, Torrens Weir and the Riverbank Precinct Pedestrian Bridge. No experience is needed, equipment and safety instruction are included, and groups are capped at eight people.

“Perfect day to explore Adelaide via the River. Kayak was defeatedly the best way to do this. Would highly recommend.”

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