Kayaking Tasman Peninsula: 200-metre sea cliffs and fur seals

Paddle under 200-metre sea cliffs carved into fluted rock towers and sea caves.

Kayak the Tasman Peninsula from Hobart with a local guide, paddling under Australia's highest sea cliffs, through natural sea caves and past a semi-submerged shipwreck. The day includes a 1.5-hour scenic drive from Hobart to Fortescue Bay, a gourmet Tasmanian lunch at a deserted cove, and encounters with fur seals, sea eagles, gannets and other marine wildlife. You'll paddle at a relaxed pace with stops for photos, snacks and rest. No prior kayaking experience is necessary, though the activity is physically demanding and requires five hours of paddling across the full day.

The experience

You start with a 1.5-hour drive from Hobart through the landscape to Fortescue Bay, or meet the guide directly at the bay if you're already on the peninsula. Once on the water, the scale of the Tasman cliffs hits you immediately: 200-metre-high fluted rock formations rise straight from the sea, and you paddle close enough to peer into natural caves and photograph the Candlestick, a towering sea stack, and the Totem Pole, a sheer column that rock climbers travel from around the world to ascend. The kayaks are stable doubles, and you'll have paddles, life jackets, spray jackets and warm fleeces or wet suit booties depending on conditions.

The route takes you past a semi-submerged shipwreck and along a coast alive with resident fur seals, soaring sea eagles, diving gannets, cliff-nesting cormorants and peregrine falcons. On good days, you might spot a pod of dolphins or a migrating whale. Paddling happens at a relaxed pace with built-in stops for snacks, drinks, photos and simply taking in the view. Lunch is a gourmet Tasmanian meal served at a deserted cove, not a rushed refuel, but a proper break on the water.

The full day spans around ten hours from pickup to return, with up to five hours spent paddling. You'll need to be comfortable paddling at a steady pace and have a reasonable level of fitness, though no prior kayaking experience is required. Bring a reusable water bottle. It gets refilled during the trip. The guide is local and speaks English, and all equipment (kayaks, paddles, life jackets, spray jackets and thermal layers) is provided.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transport from Hobart to Fortescue Bay.
• stable double kayaks, paddles, life jackets, spray jackets and thermal layers.
• gourmet Tasmanian lunch at a deserted cove.
• snacks and refreshments throughout the day.
• local English-speaking guide.

Options for this experience

2 options

Kayaking Tour on the Tasman PeninsulaGuide in English · 08:00Meet at Fortescue Bay

Kayaking tour of the Tasman PeninsulaGuide in English · 08:00Pickup is included, with transport from Hobart

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Thursday, Friday and SundayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 to 80 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Physically demandingPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Roaring 40s Kayaking

Is this one for you?Book this if you're comfortable paddling for five hours and have solid fitness: the relaxed pace and regular stops make it manageable without prior kayaking experience, but the physical demand and sea conditions mean it's not a casual paddle. The drive from Hobart is included, so you don't need your own transport to reach Fortescue Bay.

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Top questions

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.

How far is the drive from Hobart to where the kayaking starts?

The scenic drive from Hobart to Fortescue Bay takes 1.5 hours. You can also meet the guide directly at Fortescue Bay if you're already on the Tasman Peninsula.

What's it like paddling under the Tasman sea cliffs?

The cliffs rise 200 metres straight from the sea in fluted rock formations. You paddle close enough to enter natural sea caves, photograph the Candlestick sea stack and spot the Totem Pole, a sheer column famous with rock climbers. The scale is best appreciated from water level.

How much time do I actually spend paddling versus stopping?

You paddle at a relaxed pace for up to five hours across the full day, but that includes regular stops for snacks, drinks, photos and lunch. A gourmet Tasmanian meal is served at a deserted cove, so you're not rushing between paddles.

What wildlife might I see on this kayaking trip?

Resident fur seals live along this coast, and you'll regularly see sea eagles, gannets, cliff-nesting cormorants and peregrine falcons. Dolphins and migrating whales pass through, so sightings are possible though not guaranteed.

Do I need kayaking experience to book this?

No prior kayaking experience is necessary. The kayaks are stable doubles and the pace is relaxed, but the activity is physically demanding. You need to be comfortable paddling at a steady pace for five hours and have a good level of fitness.

What gear and clothing do I need to bring?

Bring a reusable water bottle, which gets refilled during the trip. All kayaking equipment is provided: stable double kayaks, paddles, life jackets, spray jackets and warm fleeces or wet suit booties depending on conditions. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet.