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Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tour Adelaide

Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Adelaide, Australia
Popular pick
Booked 10+ times last week!
  • 3 hours (approx.)
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.7
·
· Paul_R ·
Feb 2026
Excellent few hours on the kayaks...the water was very calm and tranquil and our guides Alex and Kevin were excellent, their local knowledge was brilliant...we all learned a lot about the local area and wildlife. We saw numerous dolphins which were jumping out of the water close up. We were also shown shipwrecks and told all about the history. Excellent morning. Highly recommended.
· Marlene_M ·
Mar 2026
Fun and easy kayaking experience. We were able to see some dolphins and explore mangroves. Mark, our guide, did an excellent job sharing the history of the location, information about the vegetation , sea life and wildlife. We were a small group and we had a lot of fun.

Overview

Get active while enjoying the great outdoors and spotting wildlife on this kayaking tour to the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. Paddle through ancient mangrove forests and keep a lookout for the dolphins that pass through. Learn about the animals and their habitat from your naturalist guide. No kayaking experience is necessary and the pace will be slow but moderate fitness is recommended.
  • Receive personalized attention on a small-group tour
  • Kayaking gear, including life jackets, is included
  • A waterproof bag is provided to keep your valuables dry
  • The tour lasts for about three hours

What's Included

  • Kayak, Life jacket and Paddle
  • Waterproof bag
  • Skilled and professional guide
  • Private facilities with shaded area with seating and toilets
  • Filtered fresh water for top ups
  • Sun screen
  • Private locked car parking area
  • It is essential you arrive 15 minutes prior to start time.

    Meeting and Pickup

    Meeting point

    • Angas Inlet Boat Club
      LOT 204 Garden Island Rd, Garden Island SA 5015, Australia

      10 minute drive from central Port Adelaide and it is essential to arrive 15 minutes prior to tour start time.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    Itinerary

    Port Adelaide (Pass By)

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
    • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
    • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
    • Essential: Arrival time is 15 minutes prior to start time
    • Children 10-15 years of age must be in a kayak with a parent/adult and must be able to paddle
    • Children under 10 are not permitted to participate
    • Not recommended for travelers with shoulder problems
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

    Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
    Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

    Featured review

    Sam_F
    Really enjoyed our morning kayaking at Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. The guides (Mark and Liam) were really friendly and welcoming as well as being very knowledgeable about the area and dolphins. Liked going through the mangroves, learning about wildlife and then seeing two dolphins who were swimming and diving around the harbour. Would definitely recommend this as an activity to do, and would do it again when we next visit. Thank you so much.

    Reviews

    4.7
    based on 380 reviews
    Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

    Get up close with dolphins

    Rachel_S, Apr 2026
    Although it was drzzling on and off, we had a pleasant day on the water and saw many dolphins fishing and playing with some coming up to investigate our kayaks. Paddy did a great job telling us about the dolphins, the mangroves and the shipwrecks.

    Our guide Liam was...

    Michelle_F, Mar 2026
    Our guide Liam was extremely knowledgeable and very friendly. We thoroughly enjoyed today’s experience and would happily do it again, we’d definitely request to be in Liam’s group.

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled you had such a great experience and enjoyed your time on the water. We’d be more than happy to have you back in his group again next time! 🛶🐬

    Enjoyable activity

    Julia_Y, Mar 2026
    Beautiful, peaceful place. Liam is a great guide. Saw a few dolphins. Definitely recommend and worth it.

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed the beautiful, peaceful surroundings and had a great time out on the water. Seeing dolphins is always a special bonus 🐬 Liam will really appreciate your kind words. Thanks for the recommendation, and we hope to see you back again soon! 🛶

    Amazing experience

    Sam_F, Mar 2026
    Really enjoyed our morning kayaking at Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary. The guides (Mark and Liam) were really friendly and welcoming as well as being very knowledgeable about the area and dolphins. Liked going through the mangroves, learning about wildlife and then seeing two dolphins who were swimming and diving around the harbour. Would definitely recommend this as an activity to do, and would do it again when we next visit. Thank you so much.

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re so glad you enjoyed your morning out at the Dolphin Sanctuary, paddling through the mangroves, learning about the wildlife, and then spotting dolphins really does make for a special experience 🐬🌿 Thanks for the recommendation and we’d love to welcome you back for another paddle next time you’re in Adelaide! 🛶

    Very pleasant morning...

    Andrew_S, Mar 2026
    Very pleasant morning activity - saw dolphins and took an interesting paddle up a creek into the mangroves

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your review! We’re glad you had a very pleasant morning on the water. Seeing dolphins and paddling up into the mangrove creek really does make for a special experience. 🐬🌿 Hope to see you back out on the water again soon! 🛶

    Fun nature kayak experience

    Marlene_M, Mar 2026
    Fun and easy kayaking experience. We were able to see some dolphins and explore mangroves. Mark, our guide, did an excellent job sharing the history of the location, information about the vegetation , sea life and wildlife. We were a small group and we had a lot of fun.

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re glad you had a fun and easy kayaking experience and enjoyed exploring the mangroves and spotting dolphins along the way. 🐬🌿 It’s great to hear Mark’s knowledge of the history, vegetation, and wildlife added to the experience. Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to see you back on the water again soon! 🛶

    Fantastic activity tour not to be missed!

    DAVID_W, Mar 2026
    This tour gave us a fantastic break from the city centre of Adelaide - following an approx 12 mile uber journey, we arrived at the Dolphin Sanctuary in perfect sunshine. Located in such a quiet and unspoilt area, it was a mini paradise. Our tour guides on the day were Liam and Paddy - following a super quick check in, we were given life jackets and waterproof bags (for small valuables) and following a short briefing and safety guide we were off! It was optional to keep shoes / trainers on as there was a short sandy walk to the mainly double kayaks. We were super lucky to spot some dolphins swimming around close by during which time we gave them some space in their environment. The water was tidal, the depth of which varied as there were some sand banks about and a creek which was easily navigated. We’d suggest you need a level of confidence in the kayaks but certainly no previous experience is required - just a sense of adventure. Liam and Paddy were fabulous guides - friendly and very knowledgeable which included the ships graveyard and surrounding nature. We would do this again and would very much recommend this to others. A holiday highlight for sure!!!

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your incredible review! We’re thrilled the tour was such a fantastic break from the city and that you got to experience the sanctuary in perfect sunshine. It’s great to hear you found everything smooth from check-in through to getting out on the water, and that the guidance helped you feel confident and comfortable. We’re especially glad you were lucky enough to spot dolphins and enjoy that experience respectfully in their natural environment 🐬 Thank you for the recommendation and for calling it a holiday highlight, that means a lot to us! We’d absolutely love to welcome you back for another paddle someday 🛶✨

    Family Fun

    Donna_L, Feb 2026
    We had a great morning at the Dolphin Sanctuary. Our guide, Paddy, was very knowledgeable about both the history and science of the sanctuary. The water was like glass. The kayaks are tandem so not an exhausting workout. We did see dolphins!

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re thrilled you had a great morning at the Dolphin Sanctuary and enjoyed the calm, glass-like waters. It’s wonderful to hear that Paddy’s knowledge of the history and science added to the experience, and how lucky that you got to see dolphins! 🐬 We hope to welcome you back for another relaxing paddle soon! 🛶

    Mark the leader of the...

    Robin_D, Feb 2026
    Mark the leader of the group was informative. Monitored the group adjusted as conditions changed. Got to see some interesting scenery wildlife and even shipwrecks.

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your review! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour with Mark and appreciated his guidance and adaptability as conditions changed. Exploring the scenery, wildlife, and shipwrecks really does make for a memorable day on the water. 🐬🌿 We hope to see you back on the water again soon! 🛶

    When you want some wildlife but you're stuck in the city

    Keith_W, Feb 2026
    This was a fantastic experience. The dolphin sanctuary is a very peaceful, idyllic wilderness area. Our guides, Alex and Liam, were incredibly knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife and were also excited to share it with us. Most of the people traveled in sit-in tandem kayaks, but my brother and I got sit-on singles as we're both bigger guys (6'2"and 6'8" and 350 pounds each). We got lucky and saw all kinds of dolphins. They were quite curious about us and swam around us for minutes at a time. This was the best thing we've done on our visit to Adelaide. Very highly recommended!

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re thrilled you had such a fantastic experience at the Dolphin Sanctuary as it really is a peaceful and special place to explore. Seeing curious dolphins swim around your kayaks for minutes at a time sounds incredible 🐬, and we’re glad you had the perfect setup with the sit-on singles to make it comfortable. Alex and Liam will be delighted to hear your kind words about their knowledge and enthusiasm. Thanks for the high recommendation, and we’d love to welcome you back for another memorable paddle next time you’re in Adelaide! 🛶🌿

    Still a must to try at SA

    JorgeDerick_D, Feb 2026
    It's a very organised tour, however dolphins are kind a rare to see during our experience. Still a must to try adventures at SA

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you for your review! We’re really glad you found the tour well organized and enjoyed the experience overall, and we love that you’d still recommend it as a must-do in SA! Dolphins are always a special bonus, but as they are wild animals, sightings can vary from day to day and aren’t something we guarantee. We’re glad you still had a great adventure on the water and hope to see you again in the future! 🐬🌿

    Excellent morning out kayaking

    Paul_R, Feb 2026
    Excellent few hours on the kayaks...the water was very calm and tranquil and our guides Alex and Kevin were excellent, their local knowledge was brilliant...we all learned a lot about the local area and wildlife. We saw numerous dolphins which were jumping out of the water close up. We were also shown shipwrecks and told all about the history. Excellent morning. Highly recommended.

    Response from Host, Mar 2026

    Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled you had such an excellent and tranquil morning out on the water. Seeing dolphins jumping close by, exploring the shipwrecks, and learning about the local area really does make for a special experience. 🐬 Thanks for the recommendation, and we hope to see you back on the water again soon! 🛶

    Great way to see the dolphins

    Melanie_W, Jan 2026
    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.

    Response from Host, Jan 2026

    Thank you for the fantastic feedback! We’re really glad you enjoyed the tour and felt well looked after from setup to time on the water. It’s great to hear you found the tour suitable for all experience levels and loved how much there is to see and explore in the sanctuary. We’d love to have you paddle with us again sometime! 🛶🐬

    Big groups and slow progress

    M_H, Jan 2026
    Was a very big groups of people for the 9am tour - had to break us into groups of about 14. As a result it took ages for briefings etc and we didn’t get started on the water until after 9:30. The tide was going out so no dolphins. They also make no effort to sort groups by ability so you have to go at the pace of the slowest kayak, which meant a lot of hanging around waiting at various points.

    A fun experience!

    Abbie_C, Jan 2026
    A great experience, Alex was a fab guide - really informative and fun! Sadly didn’t see any dolphins but obviously that is totally out of their control. Kayaking through the mangroves was enjoyable, just wish we had seen some more of the shipwrecks!

    Response from Host, Jan 2026

    Thanks so much for your review! We’re thrilled you enjoyed kayaking through the mangroves. Dolphins can be tricky to spot, but we love that you still had a great experience. Shipwrecks can be a difficult area to explore, and we must approach it in the best weather conditions and competent group skill level so for this we are not always able to go. Thank you so much for your feedback and we’d love to welcome you back for another adventure!

    Our guide Alex was great....

    Sarah_K, Jan 2026
    Our guide Alex was great. We had a lovely experience, unfortunately no dolphins for us, but the other group were lucky.

    Response from Host, Jan 2026

    Thanks so much for your review! We’re thrilled to hear you had a lovely experience. Dolphins can be a bit shy sometimes, but we’re glad you still enjoyed paddling through the mangroves and sanctuary areas. We hope to see you back for another adventure, maybe next time the dolphins will make an appearance! 🐬

    No dolphins but good views

    Courteney_M, Jan 2026
    Didn’t see any dolphins - they aren’t a guarantee. Would be great if the website gave the rough odds of seeing dolphins as it turned out to be an expensive kayaking tour. Otherwise was well organised and lovely views. Paddling was mostly easy but at one point the wind picked up quite a bit along with the current and it felt as though we were going backwards. We went on 40 degree day and it was fine being out on the water so don’t be discouraged by a hot day.

    Response from Host, Jan 2026

    Thank you for your review — we’re pleased to hear you enjoyed your kayak tour with us. While it’s unfortunate that you didn’t encounter dolphins on the day, they are totally wild dolphins that are free to come and go from the sanctuary at any time and sometimes we don't spot them as they are just in different areas of sanctuary. Kind regards DSKT

    We saw dolphins right...

    Chantel_H, Jan 2026
    We saw dolphins right away. It was great weather, easy and fun. Alex was a great guide with great jokes.

    Response from Host, Jan 2026

    Thanks so much for your review! We’re glad you had a fun and easy day on the water, with dolphins making an early appearance. Sounds like a memorable experience! Hope to see you back out kayaking again soon! 🛶🐬

    Great family outing!

    Marilize_D, Jan 2026
    Great experience with older kids and as a family! Didn't see any dolphins but still enjoyed it tremendously.

    Response from Host, Jan 2026

    Thanks so much for your review! We’re glad you and your family had a great time on the water, even without dolphin sightings this time. It’s a fantastic experience for older kids, and we’re happy you enjoyed it so much. Hope to see you again soon! 🛶🐬

    Alex is the best guide

    Richard_D, Dec 2025
    123456789021234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567890123456789012345alex is the besr1234567890

    Response from Host, Jan 2026

    Thank you so much for your 5 star review!

    Family Fun.

    Kathryn_D, Dec 2025
    Great family activity. We saw a mother and her calf. Make sure you use the insect spray for the mangroves.

    Response from Host, Dec 2025

    Thanks so much for your review! We’re glad you had a great family outing and got to see a mother and her calf, always a special sight! Great tip on the insect spray for the mangroves! We hope to see you back out on the water soon. 🐬🛶

    We had a wonderful time...

    Katrina_G, Dec 2025
    We had a wonderful time doing this unique experience. We’ve connected several times before. But never with dolphins! We were able to see two dolphins, swim right amongst our kayaks and watch them move in and out of the water as they slowly made their way away from our group. We then kayak to two different shipwrecks and then floated amongst the mangrove trees. Highly recommend this activity for folks visiting Adelaide.

    Response from Host, Dec 2025

    Thanks so much for your review! We’re thrilled you had such a wonderful time and got to see dolphins swimming right among your kayaks, such a special experience. Exploring the shipwrecks and gliding through the mangroves makes for a truly memorable day. Thanks for the recommendation and we hope to see you back on the water soon! 🐬🛶

    Great kayaking activity

    Dyana_G, Dec 2025
    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ This experience was absolutely fantastic! I did this tour as a mum with my child, and we both had the best time. Paddy and Callie were amazing from start to finish. Paddy was incredibly knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information along the way, which really added to the experience. Callie was awesome; she made sure everyone was able to keep up and was so supportive throughout. She even kindly guided our kayak through some of the trickier parts, which made us feel safe and confident the whole time. The tour was well organised, fun, and perfect for families. We felt well looked after and truly enjoyed every moment. We will definitely be doing this again and highly recommend it to anyone considering it!

    Response from Host, Dec 2025

    Thanks so much for your review! We’re thrilled you felt safe and supported, and your child had such a fantastic time on the tour. Exploring the mangroves, spotting wildlife makes for such special memories. We really appreciate your recommendation and can’t wait to see you back on the water again! 🐬🛶

    Happy kayaker

    Sandra_D, Nov 2025
    This was a great experience. Alex our guide was friendly and knowledgeable. As you kayaked through mangroves make sure you wear mosquitoes repellent

    Response from Host, Dec 2025

    Thank you so much for your 5 star review Sandra, we very much appreciate it. So glad you enjoyed your tour with Alex, despite the mosquitoes which are usually worse after a bit rain. We hope to see you again some day in the future.

    Good morning with nature

    John_G, Oct 2025
    After confirming our weavers were comple, we were fitting up with life vests, paddles and optional dry cases. We had a little bit of a tutorial and safety chat before heading out onto the water. The weather wasn't that great, a little choppy and trying to rain, but that didn't hold us back. We had various sightings of bird, fish and a dolphin. We sadly didn't make it out to the shipwrecks due to the strong tides that day, but all in all, a good day travelling around the mangroves and estuary.

    Response from Host, Dec 2025

    thanks so much for your 5 star review John, we very much appreciate it and glad you enjoyed your tour with despite the windy conditions. The mangrove creeks are always a highlight of the tour. We hope to see you again someday int he future for another paddle.

    Kayak tour

    Roger_S, Oct 2025
    They provided about all that you needed. Bring a water bottle with water. Be ready to paddle a bit. Nice tour. No dolphins but that can't be helped.

    Response from Host, Nov 2025

    Thanks so much for joining us for a kayak tour and glad to hear you enjoyed your paddle, despite not spotting dolphins on the day. We hope to see you again someday in the future. Kind regards DSKT 🛶🐬

    Great experience,...

    Lyndsey_S, Sep 2025
    Great experience, friendly and informative guide Alex, unfortunately didn't see any dolphins, but it was still a nice place to kayak. Took my 62 and 66 year old mum and dad and both were surprised at how comfortable and easy they found it

    Response from Host, Oct 2025

    Thank you for your lovely review! We're so glad to hear you had a great experience with Alex and found the kayaking comfortable and enjoyable for the whole family. While the dolphins can sometimes be a little shy, we’re happy the beauty of the sanctuary and the peaceful paddle still made it a memorable outing. We’d love to have you back again soon! 🐬🛶

    Going for a kayak ride at...

    Karthik_P, Sep 2025
    Going for a kayak ride at the Dolphin Sanctuary was honestly such a great experience because not only did I get the chance to paddle through calm waters surrounded by mangroves and beautiful scenery, but I also felt completely guided and supported the whole way, with clear instructions and friendly help that made it easy to relax, enjoy the peaceful environment which was super exciting and unforgettable, and by the end of the trip I felt more confident, happy, and grateful for the chance to experience nature so closely and meaningfully.

    Response from Host, Oct 2025

    Thank you so much for your amazing review! We're absolutely thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your kayak ride. It’s wonderful that you felt supported and at ease while exploring the mangroves and knowing that the experience left you feeling more confident, happy, and connected to nature truly means the world to us. We’d love to welcome you back for another unforgettable paddle anytime! 🐬🛶

    This was good and a nice...

    Grace_T, Sep 2025
    This was good and a nice time. There is a uber there if you come from the city. We saw dolphins too.

    Response from Host, Sep 2025

    thank you for your 5 star review Grace, we very much appreciate it and we are so glad you had a nice time on your kayak tour with us.

    Wonderful kayak...

    Fiona_M, Aug 2025
    Wonderful kayak experience with knowledgeable guides. Good safety briefs well run. Good way to start my birthday.

    Response from Host, Sep 2025

    thank you so much for your 5 star review Fiona, we really appreciate it. We are so glad you had a wonderful tour with us and thank you for joining us on your birthday.

    From $56.77

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