Kayaking in Hobart: Waterfront paddle with local guide
Paddle past tall ships and seal colonies on Hobart's clearest water
A 2.5-hour kayaking activity on Hobart's waterfront with a local guide, all equipment, and lunch from the floating fish punts. You paddle past prestigious homes, wooden tall sailing ships, and native sea stars in crystal-clear water, with chances to spot Sammy the resident seal or a pod of dolphins. The guide shares paddling tips and local knowledge throughout. Suitable for ages 7 and up. No previous kayaking experience needed, though basic fitness helps.
What’s included
- Local guide sharing paddling tips and regional knowledge.
- kayak, life jacket and spray jacket.
- lunch of locally caught fish and chips eaten from your kayak.
Times
- Every day 10:00
Before you book
Operated by Roaring 40s Kayaking
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
What does Hobart look like from the water? The answer is the whole point of this paddle. You launch into a working waterfront that most visitors see only from the shore: gliding past the homes of Hobart's oldest suburb, the wooden tall sailing ships that still dock here, and the kind of water clarity that lets you see native sea stars on the bottom. The guide handles the navigation and shares paddling technique as you go, so you're free to watch for Sammy, the resident seal who shows up regularly, or scan the horizon for dolphins.
Lunch arrives mid-paddle: locally caught fish and chips from the floating fish punts, eaten straight from your kayak with the best view in town. The combination of movement, the working harbor around you, and the food stops the paddle from feeling like exercise and turns it into something closer to a slow exploration. You'll also get up close to the occasional cruise ship and angles of Hobart's skyline that don't appear in any postcard.
The paddle runs 2.5 hours and departs at 10am daily from October through April, with afternoon departures at 4pm on weekends during those months and daily at 4pm in December and January. All equipment (kayak, life jacket, spray jacket) is provided. Children from age 7 can join if accompanied by an adult. Previous kayaking experience isn't required, though you'll want a basic level of fitness to paddle for that length of time.
Is this one for you?The paddle is steady rather than strenuous (2.5 hours of gliding at a pace that lets you watch the waterfront and spot wildlife), so it suits anyone with basic fitness who wants to see Hobart from the water without a strenuous workout.
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Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 15 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What's the water like in Hobart's harbor?
The water is clear enough to see native sea stars on the seafloor, and it's home to Sammy the resident seal and occasional pods of dolphins. You'll also paddle past the wooden tall sailing ships that dock at the working waterfront.
Do I need kayaking experience to book this?
No previous experience is necessary. Your guide shares paddling tips throughout the 2.5 hours, and the activity suits all fitness levels, though basic fitness helps for the duration of the paddle.
When does the kayaking depart and how long does it take?
The paddle departs at 10am daily from October to April, with 4pm departures on weekends during those months and daily in December and January. The whole activity runs 2.5 hours.
What's included in the kayaking?
The guide, all equipment (kayak, life jacket, spray jacket), and lunch from the floating fish punts are included. You eat the fish and chips from your kayak during the paddle.
Kayaking in Hobart: Waterfront paddle with local guide
2h 30m · EN
from AU$ 140 per person
≈ US$ 100 in your currency
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