Top Spots to Kayak in Sydney

When you hear the words “Sydney Harbour” what do you see? It”s the Sydney Opera House, right? And rightfully so, it’s an impressive piece of architecture. But there”s a lot more to the harbour than the opera house. In fact, Sydney Harbour is one of the most beautiful harbours in the entire world. And one of the best ways to see it is by kayak. In fact, kayaking is a great way to explore all of Sydney”s waterways and nearby attractions.

And we’ve put this handy little guide to some of the best kayak spots in Sydney together for you to help you get started exploring. You can have a lot of fun seeing the hidden wonders of Sydney by water.

 How Much Does It Cost to Kayak Sydney? 

If you intend to do a lot of kayaking around Sydney, it’s probably a good idea to check out kayaks for sale in Sydney. But, for the occasional trip, you can hire a kayak. In general, it shouldn’t cost much more than $25 an hour to hire one. It will be about $45 an hour to hire a double kayak. Most companies that hire them out use the sit-on-top type of kayak, which are very stable, and the easiest type for beginners to use.

If you feel confident kayaking alone, you could invest in your own kayak to get out to your kayaking spot. However, if you don’t, you might want to sign up for one of those Sydney Harbour kayaking tours.

 Where to Go Kayaking in Sydney 

There are lots of great paddling trips in Sydney. Here are some of the best:

 The Manly Kayaking Route 

If you’re looking for a nice, cruise-y sort of trip with some spectacular scenery, then go to the North Harbour National Park and put in at Manly Wharf. Paddle around through the boats to Little Manly Beach and stop for an invigorating coffee at the coffee kiosk there. Then on to Collins Beach, where you can relax or go for a swim before continuing. From there, paddle past Store Beach to historic Q-Station, where 19th century immigrants were quarantined before entering the country. And then it’s back to Manly Wharf. If you are wanting to hire a kayak or stand up paddle board, then Manly Kayak Centre is the place to visit.

 Head Out to a Hidden Paradise on an Overnight Trip 

Explore the magic of Pittwater on a kayak or SUP Board. If you really want to get away from it all for a night, take Barrenjoey Road to Snapperman Lane, and ride it all the way to the beach. Get yourself into the water and head on over to Great Mackerel Beach, which is a hidden paradise spot with a wonderful beach and palm trees. Paddle over to the camping ground at The Basin to make it an overnight adventure. This trip involves a lot of paddling, but it’s well worth it.

 Ride the Nepean River 

If you’re a novice kayaker who wants an easy trip and some stunningly beautiful vistas, then get onto the Nepean River at Penrith a little before sunset and travel it to Junction Reserve. It’s a 25 kilometre trip, and it will take you straight through the incredible Nepean Gorge, with colourful cliffs that soar more than 100 meter high on either side. Seeing it at sunset is something that you will never forget.

 Paddle Down the Woronora 

It may sound strange to kayak down a river than runs through Sydney and suburban areas, but it’s a surprisingly scenic trip. You’ll travel through national parks and the Dharawal State Conservation Area, and see some pretty awesome things on this 36 kilometer journey.

 Middle Harbour 

Set out from Balmoral to explore the rocky Middle Harbour coast. It’s got free parking, so you don’t have to worry about taking your time exploring. If you don’t want to go alone, there are some good tours that you can join, too.

 Be Prepared 

Before you set out for a day of adventure on the water, think ahead about what you’ll need and make sure you take it with you. You and your companions should probably take sunscreen, some drinking water, and even some snacks or a meal if you’re going to be out for a while on your kayaks. Sydney Harbour is pretty big, after all, and the river trips are pretty long.