15 Kayak Trips in Australia to Build a Day Around

1.Harbour Sunrise Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,899 reviews · 2 hours · from $119Our pick

Meet your English-speaking guides at d’Albora Marinas Rushcutters Bay for a two-hour sunrise kayak tour. Paddle toward the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, pause for photos, and enjoy free guide-taken images, coffee, and a croissant or pastry afterward at Navy Bear Cafe. Small groups are available, and beginners receive safety guidance.

“The three of us did the sunrise kayaking and it was amazing. Very well organised and very friendly tour guides. We felt very safe and were in good hands and the views were amazing! Thank you for such an amazing experience”

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2.Magnetic Island Discovery Tour with Snorkeling & Paddle Boarding

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,372 reviews · from $114

Join Aquascene Magnetic Island at 8:30 am for a five-hour small-group cruise around the island. Adam, Kalvin, Anita, and other local guides share island stories, Indigenous history, and reef knowledge while you snorkel fringing reefs, paddle board, swim, and visit quiet beaches. Equipment, wetsuits, snacks, tea, and water are included. Ferry tickets are not.

“The trip and experience are amazing. Adam and the crew make you feel most welcome. Even got a cup of tea delivered to myself on the pontoon.”

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3.The Byron Bay Sea Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,207 reviews · 2h 30m · from $63

Paddle a tandem sea kayak from Main Beach around Byron Bay’s marine reserve with an English-speaking guide. Learn about Aboriginal culture, the lighthouse, reefs, and local wildlife, then try surfing a wave back to shore. Dolphins, turtles, and whales may appear, but sightings are never guaranteed. Guides such as Pete, Luke, and Chris are praised for friendly instruction and careful group control.

“Amazing day out with the guides, so knowledgable and really made the day fun - we saw a few turtles & some dolphins!! A two person kayak but no need to worry if you are solo they will help pair you up with someone! :)”

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4.The Freycinet Paddle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 985 reviews · from $104

Paddle Coles Bay into Freycinet National Park in a stable double kayak with a professional guide. Expect coaching, warm jackets, dry bags, local stories, and a midway stop with a hot drink and gourmet cookie. Morning, afternoon, and sunset departures are available, with weather-based route changes for safety.

“Great evening on the water to watch the sunset over the bay. Very relaxed paddle with expert instruction. Highly recommend.”

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5.Sunrise Kayak, Opera House & Under Harbour Bridge

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 869 reviews · 2 hours · from $126

Start at Milson Park Boatramp in Kirribilli for a two-hour guided kayak outing with LED-lit boats, safety instruction, and views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge. Guides such as Bo, Charlie, Dan, Helena, and Diarmuid help beginners along. Finish with a $20 breakfast credit at Flying Bear Cafe, plus photos and video shared later.

“Bo and the team are excellent. This activity is a must do. Def give it a shot and do it with these guys only!!!”

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6.Moreton Island Day Trip (Kayak, Snorkel & Sandboard) frm Brisbane or Gold Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 633 reviews · from $128

Spend a full day on Moreton Island with Australian Sunset Safaris. Ride a 4WD bus to the Tangalooma Wrecks, snorkel or use a transparent bodyboard, paddle a clear kayak, and sandboard down the dunes. Guides including Michelle, Ryan, Darcy, Will, and Jacob help run the activities. Ferry and national park fees cost extra.

“The trip has an excellent range of adventures. 4WD off roading, sandboarding, kyacking and snorkelling. We loved it. It is a 90 minute ferry trip each way.”

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7.Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

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

Set out from Port Adelaide’s Angas Inlet Boat Club for a three-hour guided kayak trip through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Guides such as Alex, Paddy, Mark, and Kendall explain the mangroves, birds, dolphins, and old wrecks. No kayaking experience is needed, but you must be able to paddle. Dolphins and shipwrecks are not guaranteed.

“Fantastic experience - though we didn’t see dolphins we loved kayaking through the mangroves and seeing this unique ecosystem. I’m also happy the company don’t use bait or sounds to tempt the dolphins, as they should be free in their own habitats. Brayden was a great guide, friendly and informative.”

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8.Hobart Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 473 reviews · from $179

Choose a 2.5-hour Hobart harbor paddle or a 7-hour coastal trip past cliffs, caves, and beaches. The 10-hour Tasman Peninsula option adds wildlife watching and needs good fitness. Guides such as Dan, Pip, Reg, and Jenny provide instruction, local stories, and gear. Lunch is included, with fish and chips served from the water on the city tour.

“i felt every moment so good was awesome will definetly do again. We enjoyed a lot and the fish and achpis was plus point 😊”

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9.Byron Stand Up Paddle Nature Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 384 reviews · from $71

Join Ricky or Krystal for a two-hour stand-up paddleboard trip on the Brunswick River near Brunswick Heads. You will receive a land lesson, board, paddle, leg rope, and life jacket if needed before heading through Cape Byron Marine Park. The tour includes wildlife commentary, digital photos, cold water, and homemade snacks.

“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!”

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10.Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour

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

Paddle a stable two-person sit-on-top kayak through Cape Byron Marine Park for about 2.5 hours. Guides lead you toward local dolphins, with possible turtles and humpback whales from May to November. Expect open-ocean conditions, wet clothes, a beach stop with hot drinks and Tim-Tams, and a free return tour if dolphins are not seen.

“Amazing trip ! Got to see the dolphins and hundreds of them! We took our 5 yr old and the instructor was brilliant with her”

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11.Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

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

Meet at Angas Inlet Boat Club on Garden Island for a three-hour guided paddle through Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Guides such as Alex, Paddy, Fiona, and Lewis provide safety help and nature information as you look for wild dolphins, birds, fish, mangroves, and shipwrecks. No kayaking experience is needed, but moderate fitness helps.

“Terrific kayaking experience! Paddy was a wonderful guide, very knowledgeable, yet knew when to allow quiet time to appreciate the dolphins and other wildlife/nature.”

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12.Wave Break Island Kayaking & Snorkeling tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 340 reviews · 2h 30m · from $63

Meet guides such as Jane, Nelson, or Caroline at Biggera Waters for a 150-minute kayak and snorkel trip to Wave Break Island. You’ll learn basic paddling, cross the Broadwater, bushwalk to a sheltered reef, spot subtropical fish, and enjoy fruit, snacks, water, and free digital photos. Morning departures are usually gentler.

“Really fun! Was a gorgeous day despite being in the middle of winter :) Was super relaxed vibes and very welcoming. We saw lots of fish, a stingray and even a couple of dolphins on our kayak back! Won’t lie, the tour guides seemed a bit unorganised however, they made up for it with their bubbly personality a d it didn’t affect our experience at all :) Would recommend and would do it again!”

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13.Gold Coast Kayaking & Snorkelling Tour (2.5 Hours)

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 318 reviews · from $63

Paddle from Biggera Waters across the Broadwater to Wave Break Island with guides such as Nelson, Caroline, and Karen. You’ll kayak, walk to a rocky reef, snorkel, and enjoy fruit, snacks, water, and digital photos. The tour suits first-timers, but tides and weather can affect the water clarity and wildlife.

“Fun, well organised, knowledgable guides. Nice mix of kayaking, a short walk and snorkelling/ paddling.”

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14.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

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

Paddle for up to three hours with Adventure Kayaking SA through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary and Garden Island Ships Graveyard. Guides such as Luke, Phil, Pippa, and Tim teach beginners, point out birds and mangroves, and help you spot Port River dolphins. The sheltered water suits families, though sightings are never guaranteed.

“Guide was great and shared lots of knowledge about the area and the things we saw along the way. Thank you.”

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15.Turtle Tour – Ningaloo Reef Half Day Sea Kayak and Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 164 reviews · from $107

Join Exmouth Adventure Co for a 3.5-hour kayak and snorkel trip in Ningaloo’s Bundegi Sanctuary Zone. Guides such as Julia, Nick, Kayleigh, and Neil lead groups of up to eight through turtle nursery waters, reef sites, and kayak-only snorkel moorings. Gear, snacks, photos, and hotel transfers are included.

“Had an amazing time at turquoise bay all due to our tour guide Colton. Me and my partner first time snorkelling along with being poor swimmers but still got to see everything. Colton helped me and my partner with aid of floats join in to thRead more”

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