Kayak & canoe · WILDLIFE KAYAK TOURS

Wildlife Kayak Tours: the 15 Best Worldwide

121 tours  ·  from $27 a head

A paddle is quiet, which is the whole point. These 15 put you near manatees, turtles, dolphins and seabird colonies, priced and clear about what the season really gives you a chance of seeing.

Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included - Meeting at Cristianmar in Los Cristianos
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Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

1.Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 7,215 reviews · from $35Our pick

Paddle from Los Cristianos with guides such as Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, or David, watching for dolphins and turtles before stopping to snorkel in a boat-access-only bay. Kayaks, wetsuits, gear, photos, and insurance are included. You must be a confident swimmer, aged 14 or older, and under 100 kg.

“Gonza was a great tour guide and it was a perfect day out seeing the dolphins definitely recommend!”

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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours - April through November: Three Sisters Springs and swimming
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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

2.Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,830 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) Top rated

Paddle from Kings Bay Park in a stable, fully clear kayak with a small group of up to 10 people. Choose Three Sisters Springs from April 1 to November 14, with time to swim, or the manatee-season tour from November 15 to March 31. Guides such as Crosby, Dmitri, Yas, and Cami share local wildlife knowledge and help you spot manatees, turtles, fish, and birds.

“The tour is excellent. The Kayak is very easy to ride, stable, and safe. The guide was great, and we got to see the manatees up close, even passing below the glass kayak. The guide also took some fantastic pictures of us and shared them with us at the end of the tour.”

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Golfo Aranci: Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif - Figarolo island, reached by paddle
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Golfo Aranci: Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif

3.Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,731 reviews · 2.5 - 3 hours · from $53

You’ll kayak from Spiaggia dei Baracconi with guides such as Marco, Emmanuel, Maria, or Vincent, following the safest route for the day. Expect calm instruction, dolphin watching near a sea fish farm, snorkeling at Cala Moresca or Figarolo, and Sardinian snacks with drinks. Dolphin sightings are possible, never promised.

“Great activity, I recommend to book earliest in the morning. It'll be worth it :)”

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Tenerife: Turtle & Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel & Wetsuit - Paddling along Tenerife’s west coast
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Tenerife: Turtle & Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel & Wetsuit

4.Turtle & Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel & Wetsuit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,411 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Paddle from Los Cristianos beneath the Guaza Mountains with an instructor, wetsuit, kayak, life vest, and snorkel gear provided. The three-hour outing covers roughly 6 km and may bring dolphins, turtles, stingrays, and fish. Guides such as Max, Bea, Mario, Jessica, and Coco are praised for clear instruction and patient support, but the sea can make this a demanding workout.

“The experience is awesome! Everything is organised, stuff provided the full support! Bea was just the best! Very friendly, and very professional! Her approach to the work is really something - she approaches marine life with wisdom and respect! I trusted her from the very beginning and the whole adventure was fantastic for me:) Thank you Bea!!!!”

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Mangroves and Manatees - Guided Kayak Eco Tour - From the Shop to the Water
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Mangroves and Manatees – Guided Kayak Eco Tour

5.Mangroves and Manatees – Guided Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,222 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69

Paddle through Tavernier Creek near Key Largo in a single or double kayak with guides such as Jack, Tony, Sarah, Keith, and Britney. Expect shallow clear water, mangrove tunnels, wildlife facts, and a relaxed pace suited to beginners. Manatees are possible, not promised.

“Tony was an outstanding tour guide. He found some manatees for us as well as many birds. He also shared history and facts about the mangroves which was very interesting.”

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Dolphin, Manatee and SeaTurtle SUP Adventure Tour of St Augustine - Paddling toward Anastasia State Park
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Dolphin, Manatee and SeaTurtle SUP Adventure Tour of St Augustine

6.Dolphin, Manatee and SeaTurtle SUP Adventure Tour of St Augustine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,219 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Paddle by kayak or stand-up board from 442 Ocean Vista Ave toward Anastasia State Park and the St Augustine Lighthouse. Guides such as Ryan, Spence, Nolan, and Todd help beginners manage the equipment while pointing out dolphins, sea turtles, birds, and other wildlife. Sightings vary with weather and season.

“Noah was great. Three Brothers is a great story and was so fun paddle boarding. We sat and watched a couple of Dolphins play for 45 minutes. They swam all around us close and were amazing. Also saw Osprey catching fish, lots of jumping fish and a couple of turtles.”

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Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour - The 30-minute canal search for manatees
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Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour

7.Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 954 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95

Paddle a tandem kayak through the Ten Thousand Islands Wildlife Refuge and mangrove tunnels near Naples. Your ACA-certified guide, such as Justin, Tiffany, Adam, or Caroline, provides instruction and explains the local plants and wildlife. The 3-hour downwinder includes a canal search for manatees, with the best sightings in colder winter weather.

“Justin was excellent! He was very knowledgeable and managed a challenging member of our tour well. He was very friendly and provided an amazing tour. We saw manatees, a crocodile, bull sharks and a ton of birds! Well worth the trip!”

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Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour - Searching for dolphins and manatees
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Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour

8.Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 926 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Launch near Turtle Beach with SURFit USA and paddle calm Sarasota Bay before entering the Jim Neville Preserve. Choose a single or tandem kayak, or ask about a stand-up paddleboard. Guides such as Orion, Billy, and Michael have led guests through mangrove tunnels, wildlife areas, and a beach or sandbar at Midnight Pass.

“Beautiful mangrove tunnels, wildlife all around. Terrific guide. We highly recommend taking a kayak tour with SURFit”

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Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking - Starting at 5000 Tom Warriner Boulevard
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Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

9.Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 923 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Join Cocoa Kayaking for a 2.5-hour paddle through Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands. Guides such as James, Ian, Susie, and Michael share local ecology while you search for manatees, dolphins, birds, tarpon, stingrays, and crabs. Small groups cap at 10, photos are included, and the 9:00 am departure offers the best wildlife odds.

“Our guide was amazing, very knowledgeable, great personality, and answered all our questions. Saw manatees and dolphins, loved it!”

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Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River - Why tandem kayaks make this friendly for families
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Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

10.Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 691 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

Paddle Crystal River for about two hours in a stable tandem clear kayak with a local guide such as Jess, Kyle, RJ, or Cypress. You may see manatees beneath the hull, along with turtles, dolphins, fish, otters, and birds. Groups are limited to 10, but water clarity and wildlife sightings vary.

“RJ did a fantastic job guiding our path to spot manatees at a close but safe distance. Knowledgeable about the area.”

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Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge - From Haulover Canal to the first paddle strokes
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Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

11.Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 605 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Meet your guide at Haulover Canal for a 90-minute paddle through Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Your kayak, paddle, and life jacket are included. Guides such as Faith, Brea, Seven, Leslie, and Leo have helped make the glowing comb jellyfish, dolphins, manatees, and starry sky the highlights of this small-group outing.

“Brea was an excellent tour guide giving our small group plenty of opportunities to see the bioluminescent comb jellyfish. She is very knowledgeable so you will learn a lot about the area. We also saw some dolphins in the moonlight and could hear the manatees come up for air. It is a great trip!”

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Tromsø: Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings - The transfer from Tromsø to basecamp
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Tromsø: Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings

12.Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 591 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $225

Join a small group of up to 10 for 5 to 6 hours of winter kayaking near Tromsø. Guides such as Lauti, Jenka, Eamon, and Bendik provide drysuits, instruction, transfers, and steady support as you paddle past snowy islands, floating ice, seals, sea eagles, and seabirds. Finish by the fire with hot drinks and snacks.

“We had an absolutely fantastic time on the water 💌 Our guide Lauti was very knowledgable and funny and made the stunning trip even better. The groups were small and the pace was very manageable even for beginners. I'm a little scared of water, but Lauti made us feel very safe and made sure the group stayed protected from the rough winter wind at all times. Would highly recommend!!”

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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour - Meeting at Angas Inlet Boat Club
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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

13.Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

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

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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Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena) - What happens at Makena Landing at 7am
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Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

14.Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 551 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130

Start at Makena Landing at 7am for a three-hour small-group tour with Ohana Ocean Adventures. You’ll paddle a clear-bottom kayak over Maui’s reefs, then snorkel with turtles and tropical fish if conditions allow. Guides such as Kyle, Curtis, Marc, and Michael are praised for patient instruction, safety, and marine-life knowledge.

“It was an incredible experience. Kyle was very nice and took his time explaining everything. This was our first time Kayaking and we had a blast! Now we have awesome pics swimming with turtles. Thank you Kyle! We had a great time.”

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Kayak tour with aperitif and dolphins - Starting at Baracconi Beach near Golfo Aranci
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Kayak tour with aperitif and dolphins

15.Kayak tour with aperitif and dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 471 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $54

Paddle from Baracconi Beach near Golfo Aranci to Cala Moresca and Figarolo Island with an English-speaking guide. You’ll learn basic kayak skills, snorkel among fish and starfish, enjoy Sardinian snacks and drinks, and look for bottlenose dolphins near the fish farm. Guides including Maria, Emmanuel, Marco, and Francesco have been praised for patient instruction.

“It was a perfect tour and we can totally recommend the trip. We even had luck and spotted dolphins after we had some aperitif. We booked the afternoon tour, which was a great choice as seeing the sun go down while we're in the Kayak :) The guides were really helpful, nice and funny. So all in all a wonderful experience!”

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