15 Wildlife Kayak Tours in Australia Worth Booking

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.Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 384 reviews · from $63

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.”

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3.Epic Kayak With Dolphins & Wildlife – 4WD Beach Adventure Noosa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 366 reviews · from $115Top rated

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”

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4.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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5.Kayak Turtle Tour from Palm Cove

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 298 reviews · from $85

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.”

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6.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

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

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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7.Epic Ocean Kayak with Dolphins & 4WD Beach Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 247 reviews · 6 hours · from $118

Ride a 4WD along Noosa North Shore, then kayak around Double Island Point and Honeymoon Bay with guides such as Vince and Tyron. You may see dolphins, turtles, stingrays, seabirds, and humpback whales from June to November. The sea can be bumpy, so bring swimwear, sun protection, snacks, and a change of clothes.

“We had a great time during the whole trip. Although it didn't look easy to get into the sea with the kayak, the guides helped us very well and explained all the steps. During the tour we saw many dolphins and also some turtles. It was a kayak tour we will never forget!”

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8.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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9.Penguin and Seal Islands Sea Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 141 reviews · from $142

Start at 8:00 am in Shoalwater and paddle double sit-inside kayaks with guides such as Jimmy, Ryan, or Rosie. Visit Seal Island and Penguin Island, watch for sea lions, pelicans, penguins, and nesting birds, then enjoy lunch and seasonal snorkelling. Beginners are welcome, but you need moderate fitness.

“A very enjoyable day. Jimmy our guide was great. Would have enjoyed spending a little more time watching the seals even though they weren't doing much.”

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10.Kayaking with Dolphins and Beach 4WD Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 3 hours · from $98

You’ll cross Great Sandy National Park by beach 4WD, then paddle around Double Island Point with an English-speaking guide. Look for bottlenose dolphins, turtles, rays, soldier crabs, seabirds, and humpback whales from June to November. Guide JB has led some departures, but wildlife sightings and route conditions depend on tides and weather.

“PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING FOR SOMEONE MY AGE - I BELIEVE YOU NEED TO ADVERTISE A LITTLE MORE THAT THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS A GOOD LEVEL OF FITNESS - IN SAYING THAT MY HUSBAND AND I CAN NOW CLAIM THAT WE HAVE BEEN KAYAKING IN THE OCEAN, SO BOTH PRETTY CHUFFED.”

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11.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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12.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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13.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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14.Rockingham Seal & Penguin Islands Sea Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 42 reviews · 6 hours · from $140

Travel from Perth to Shoalwater Bay in a tandem kayak with an English-speaking guide, then paddle to Seal Island and Penguin Island. Look for Australian sea lions, dolphins, pelicans, penguins, crabs, and starfish. Biologist-guide Tom has led guests through the bay, with lunch, transport, kayaks, and snorkel gear included.

“Wszystko miejsce wrost bajeczne...taka oprawa zdarza się raz.pozdrawiamy firmę.😁😁i prosimy o zdjęcia z wyprawy.”

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15.Half Day Turtle Kayak & Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 35 reviews · 4 hours · from $106

Paddle the shallow Bundegi Sanctuary Zone from Exmouth with a local guide, watching for turtles, rays, baby reef sharks, osprey, and fish. You will snorkel from your kayak at sheltered Ningaloo Reef coral gardens. Pickup, equipment, snacks, sun gear, and tour photos are included, with guides such as Kim, Kolton, Jules, and Neri leading small groups of up to eight.

“Loved the whole deal. Guide fabulous… coral reef so colourful. Wonderful activity.”

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