The 15 Best Dolphin Kayak Tours in Australia

1.Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

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

Join a marine biologist guide such as Alex, Paddy, Mark, or Kendall for a three-hour paddle through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary. You’ll learn basic kayaking, explore 10,000-year-old mangroves, look for dolphins and birds, and may reach old shipwrecks. No kayaking experience is required.

“We had an amazing kayaking experience. It is a wonderfull place full of birds and other animals. We also did see dolphins. Paddy was our fantastic guide who made the experience even better. I would highly recommend this trip!”

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2.Kayaking with Dolphins in Byron Bay Guided Tour

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

Join Cape Byron Kayaks for a 2.5-hour open-ocean paddle from central Byron Bay. You’ll share a stable sit-on-top kayak, follow surf guides toward local dolphins, and may spot turtles or humpback whales from May to November. Tea, coffee, biscuits, safety gear, and a wildlife guarantee are included.

“The moment you arrive the guides are informative helpful and kind. The tour itself was wonderful. The water is so clean and clear you can see easily see any wildlife that’s in your area. We also did a slight ocean wave catching and the guides were very helpful with our inexperienced visitors. All in all for the price one was extremely satisfied. Thank you for the tour. Highly recommend.”

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

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

Ride a 4WD along Noosa North Shore and Great Beach Drive to Double Island Point, then sea kayak with guides such as Vince, Tyron, Cam and Nick. Allow six hours for beach scenery, wildlife spotting, swimming and a light snack. Wildlife encounters are possible, not guaranteed.

“The trip was amazing and would definitely recommend. We say dolphins and a whale while kayaking. Vince was also very knowledgeable and friendly”

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4.Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

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

Spend about three hours kayaking from Garden Island through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary. Guides such as Alex, Paddy, Fiona, and Lewis provide safety help and nature commentary while you look for wild dolphins, birds, fish, mangroves, and shipwrecks. No experience is needed, but you should be reasonably fit.

“Organized crew with getting everyone set up and out on the kayaks. Our guide, Brayden was safety conscious, friendly and knowledgeable. All the traits one wants in a guide for this kind of tour. This tour is great for kayaks of any level. And the location offered so many things to see and explore.”

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5.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

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

Set out from Garden Island with a guide such as Luke, Phil, or Pippa for a three-hour paddle through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard. Learn basic kayaking, watch for Port River dolphins and birds, and explore mangrove creeks and abandoned ships in a small group.

“Loved going through mangroves high light off the trip if I had time would do again excellent value for money the guide was brilliant Thanks for a great morning”

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6.Noosa: Epic Ocean Kayak with Dolphins & 4WD Beach Adventure

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

Set out from The J Noosa for a six-hour trip with guides such as Vince and Tyron. Ride the beach to Double Island Point, paddle around Honeymoon Bay and its lighthouse, and look for dolphins, turtles, stingrays, seabirds, and seasonal humpback whales.

“Fab trip out. Weather didn’t look favourable but the storms went on around us and we had super close up encounters with whales and dolphins. Highly recommend. Cheers Vince & JB”

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7.Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour

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

Paddle the Port River with an English-speaking guide such as Aaron, Tom, or Oliver, passing mangroves, old shipwrecks, and dolphin habitat. The pace suits beginners, but you need moderate fitness and comfortable wet-weather clothing. Bring insect repellent and arrange transport to remote Garden Island.

“Aaron & Chelsea were good guides. It was a little hard for everyone to hear the spiel from the guides but I think this is the nature of the activity. They were good at keeping track of everyone but didn't have us too crowded up, we could enjoy the experience. We were lucky to see heaps of dolphins before we left the boat ramp and while paddling.”

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8.Rainbow Beach: Kayaking with Dolphins and Beach 4WD Tour

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

You’ll ride along Rainbow Beach and through Great Sandy National Park, then paddle a kayak around Double Island Point with an English-speaking guide. Guides such as JB add local knowledge, while the changing tides set the departure time. Dolphins are possible, not guaranteed.

“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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9.Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · from $39

Meet Adventure Kayaking SA at Garden Island, suit up, and paddle sheltered mangrove creeks in the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Your guide, sometimes Lydia, shares local wildlife stories while you look for Port River dolphins. The tour suits ages eight and up, with safety gear provided.

“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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10.Rainbow Beach: Dolphin & Wildlife Ocean Kayak & Beach 4WD Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 59 reviews · from $99

Ride a beach 4WD from Rainbow Beach to Double Island Point, then paddle with a guide near Honeymoon Bay. Luke, Sean, Seb, and other local guides handle the gear, safety, and route. Wildlife sightings can include dolphins, whales, turtles, and rays, though none are guaranteed.

“We did kayaking for the very first time with minimal swimming ability. But Sean and his mate (local tour operator) made sure that we had the best experience. I will highly recommend this adventure to everyone. Sadly, we couldn't spot any sea creature but overall it was very memorable.”

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11.Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Mangroves Kayak Tour

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

Meet Adventure Kayaking SA on Garden Island for a 90-minute guided paddle through Adelaide’s Dolphin Sanctuary. You’ll receive a safety lesson, kayak through sheltered mangrove creeks, look for Port River Dolphins and other wildlife, and hear local stories from guides such as Keenan, Darla, Keilan, and Will.

“Great experience, great for kids and adults, Keenan and Darla were fantastic. Overall we would do it again - remember water bottles and a hat”

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12.Adelaide: 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-hour kayak hire. Choose a single or double kayak, paddle through mangrove creeks, and search for dolphins independently. The area is limited, and sightings are never guaranteed.

“good although i didn’t see any dolphins as there was only 13 in the whole lake”

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13.2-Hour Dolphin Kayak & Snorkel Tour on the Broadwater

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 30 reviews · from $62

Join Australian Kayaking Adventures for a two-hour paddle from Biggera Waters to Wavebreak Island. Your guide supplies the kayak, life jacket, and snorkel gear, teaches basic technique, and leads you to a beach swim with subtropical fish. Dolphins are seen about 80% of the time, but sightings are never guaranteed.

“staff were very friendly. Got to go in the water with the kayaks.Had a memorable trip.Got to paddle. Had a great time.By Kris”

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14.Dolphin Kayak Tour & Beach 4X4 National Park Tour (Private)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7 hours

Travel from Noosa with guide Vince in a private 4X4, crossing Teewah Beach to Double Island Point. At Honeymoon Bay, choose kayaking, SUP, surfing, or a wildlife tour, with a chance to see bottlenose dolphins. The seven-hour trip includes equipment, instruction, park fees, and pickup.

“Thankyou Vince for a great day. Took the family up to DI. Very interesting and informative about the region,wildlife and marine life. Some wonderful dream time stories too. Had a great surf lesson. Delicious healthy lunch. Very eco friendly. Felt very safe as a family. Loved it. Will come again”

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15.Mornington Peninsula Kayak Coastline Tour of Dolphin Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 2 reviews · from $78

Join Bayplay & Beyond for a three-hour guided double-kayak trip along Mornington Peninsula’s coast. You’ll receive safety gear and paddling instruction, look for dolphins, seals, and penguins, stop on a beach for a snack, and return to the Bayplay shop.

“The tour operator rescheduled the tour...but Viator charged me in full. I hv booked seversl other tours through Viator but I will never again book a trip neither I will recommend my friends.”

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