Kayak & canoe · AUSTRALIA KAYAKING TOURS
Good australia kayaking tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Meet near d’Albora Marinas Rushcutters Bay for a guided two-hour kayak on Sydney Harbour. Guides such as Liam, Rachel, Warren, and Ashley help beginners feel safe, take free photos and videos, and lead you close to the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Coffee and a croissant or pastry at Navy Bear Cafe follow the paddle.
“Excellent activity! Would highly recommend to everyone, the guides were fantastic!”
Join Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay for a 150-minute paddle along the coast, with beach instruction, safety gear, local stories, and a chance to see dolphins, turtles, whales, and other marine life. Guides such as Pete and Chris keep the group together, take free photos, and help you catch a wave back to shore.
“Amazing to see whales, dolphins and turtles up close”
Join Freycinet Adventures at Muirs Beach for a three-hour sea kayaking trip into Freycinet National Park. Stable double kayaks, warm jackets, dry bags, coaching and a hot drink with a gourmet cookie are included. Guides such as James, Lee and Bea share local stories and wildlife knowledge, with morning, afternoon and sunset times available.
“We went with 2 adults, a 13 year old, and a 3 year old. The 3 year old went in the middle of the kayak. The tour lasted about 3 hours with a tea break in between and everyone had a great time. We did the evening paddle, so we did get to watch the sunset over the water.”
Start at Milson Park Boatramp in Kirribilli for a two-hour guided kayak trip with LED-lit boats, a safety briefing, and views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Qualified guides such as Bo, Charlie, Dan, Helena, and Diarmuid have helped lead sessions. After paddling, use your $20 credit at Flying Bear Cafe for breakfast and coffee.
“Bo and the team are excellent. This activity is a must do. Def give it a shot and do it with these guys only!!!”
Spend a full day on Moreton Island with Australian Sunset Safaris, riding a 4WD to the Tangalooma Wrecks for snorkeling and transparent kayaking, then sandboarding the dunes. Guides including Michelle, Ryan, Darcy, Will, and Jacob help with equipment and safety. The day is active and tightly timed, with lunch included but ferry and national park fees extra.
“It's a lot of activities but I LOVED it all! It will be a very busy day you'll get sandy etc. just be prepared. Bring sand, shoes, flip-flops sun shirts... The crew was absolutely wonderful that took care of us. Ryan, Jay and too many that I can't remember. The lunch was very good. Everyone was so upbeat and fun.! Jacob, the guy that was driving out to the sun dunes was amazing! Loved it all! And all the crew! 😍”
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”
Join Roaring 40s Kayaking for a guided Hobart paddle with guides such as Dan, Pip, Reg, Jenny, and Tony. The 2.5-hour city trip runs from Sandy Bay toward Constitution Dock, with Battery Point views and fish and chips delivered to your kayak. Longer options visit cliffs, caves, beaches, and the Tasman Peninsula.
“A great way to spend the morning with an experienced guide and a relaxed atmosphere. Lunch was a pleasant surprise.”
Join Ricky or Krystal near Brunswick Heads for a two-hour stand-up paddle tour on the calm Brunswick River. You get a land lesson, board, paddle, leg rope, and life jacket if needed, followed by wildlife spotting, digital photos, cold water, and homemade snacks. You must be able to swim and make your own way there.
“We had a wonderful experience SUPing on the river w Ricky & Krystal’s expert guidance, their lively commentaries & extra touches like photos & home made snacks. Also perfectly located for a relaxing lunch & afternoon swim at the nearby Brunswick beaches. A must do if u r visiting Byron bay!”
Set out from central Byron Bay in a stable two-person sea kayak with a surf-and-sea guide. Paddle through Cape Byron Marine Park, looking for bottlenose dolphins, turtles, and seasonal humpback whales. The 2.5-hour outing includes safety gear, park fees, and a beach stop with hot drinks and Tim-Tams. Open-ocean fitness is required.
“The kayaking with dolphins experience was wonderful. The guides were professional yet fun and the dolphins frolicked around and under our kayaks. We were blessed with beautiful weather too.”
From Noosa, you’ll take a 4WD along Teewah Beach and Great Beach Drive to Double Island Point, then kayak with guides such as Tyron, Vince, Cam, or Nick. Expect ocean wildlife, lighthouse views, beach time, snacks, and a full six-hour outing. Dolphin sightings are possible but never guaranteed.
“Great fun day. Very friendly enthusiastic team. Beautiful location. Kayaking was fun and the drive along the beach spectacular”
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!”
Paddle from Biggera Waters across the Broadwater with guides such as Jane, Nelson, Angel, and Caroline. You’ll learn basic kayaking, walk across Wave Break Island, snorkel a protected rocky reef, watch for stingrays and dolphins, and enjoy fruit, snacks, and water by the beach. The 150-minute tour suits beginners, but afternoon wind and the lack of changing rooms matter.
“We really had a great time with Angel. He was funny, kind and professional. Above all he has amazing photo making skills. Highly recommended for something to do in Gold Coast!!!”
Join guide Sam at 7:00 am in Lavender Bay for a three-hour paddle beneath the Harbour Bridge, past the Opera House, and into Lavender Bay. Kayak, paddle, PFD, safety briefing, photos, and breakfast at Thelma & Louise Café are included. The group is capped at 12, and you return to the starting point.
“Nothing like experiencing Sydney from the water! This paddle far exceeded my expectations. Sam provided excellent instruction, was professional and made the entire experience fun. Breakfast at Thelma and Louise’s was plentiful and delicious.”
Paddle from Biggera Waters to Wave Break Island with guides such as Nelson, Karen, and Gonzalo. You’ll receive kayak and snorkel gear, safety instruction, snacks, water, digital photos, and winter wetsuits. The reef can be cloudy after wind or rain, so book for the kayaking, island time, and wildlife as much as the snorkeling.
“This was an experience, the guides were amazing and had some interesting stories to tell. We started off with instructions on how to kayak, after which we kayaked to breakwater island and walked to a snorkelling destination.”
Start at 7 a.m. in Palm Cove and paddle with guides such as Noel, Luke, or Andrew toward Double Island. Look for green and hawksbill turtles, rays, fish, and coral, then explore mangroves or a limestone cave before swimming and snorkeling. The four-hour outing suits beginners with moderate fitness.
“Absolutely perfect weather. Very informative leader - learnt so much about local marine life and the area. Great mix of paddling, drifting, walking, swimming/snorkeling. Saw turtles, rays, shark, fish and many birds. Thanks guys for a great experience.”
Pick a coast, a cave or a river.
