Kayak & canoe · WILDLIFE KAYAK TOURS

The 15 Best Wildlife Kayak Tours

71 tours  ·  from $35 a head

A hull is silent, which is why manatees, turtles and dolphins tolerate it. These 15 trips are priced and timed to the season the animals are actually there, with a note on how close the guides will let you get.

Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included - Starting at Xplore Tenerife in Los Cristianos
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Tenerife: Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

1.Kayak and Snorkel with Turtles, Wetsuits Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 7,215 reviews · from $35Our pick

Paddle from Los Cristianos with guides such as Carlos, Barbara, Gonza, and David, watching for dolphins and turtles before stopping to snorkel in a boat-only bay. Kayaks, short wetsuits, equipment, photos, and accident insurance are included. Swimming ability is required.

“Gonza was my guide. The excursion was perfect, we saw a lot of dolphins and different fishes during the snorkelling. Amazing!”

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Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach - Under seven bridges and around the island
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Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach

2.Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,328 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $65Top rated

Paddle Daytona Beach’s calm bay under seven bridges, around an island, and through yacht-lined canals with guides such as Brock, Dallas, Fletcher, and Spencer. A ground lesson, kayaks, and all gear are included, making this a relaxed wildlife outing for beginners.

“The guide was awesome! My daughter was struggling to get through a spot with a current and he came right over to help us. After that, the pace was leisurely. We did see a pod of dolphins, which made the trip. Beautiful and fun!”

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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours - April to November: paddling toward Three Sisters Springs
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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

3.Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,830 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Choose a scenic Three Sisters Springs trip from April 1 to November 14, with time to swim, or a manatee-season tour from November 15 to March 31. Guides such as Crosby, Dmitri, Yas, and Cami lead groups of up to 10 from Kings Bay Park in stable, clear-bottom kayaks.

“For some reason the people never did show up when we were there 15 minutes earlier as requested. When we called they said they did not know where the tour leader was. They did offer us a refund which I have not received as yet. However the kisosk next to them allowed us to rent a paddleboard and a kayak so we did have fun. Hope the tour guide is ok but do want the refund as we received no service thank you”

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Golfo Aranci: Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif - A calm lesson before the first paddle
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Golfo Aranci: Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif

4.Golfo Aranci: Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,731 reviews · 2.5 - 3 hours · from $53

Paddle from Spiaggia dei Baracconi with marine biologists toward Cala Moresca, Figarolo, and a sea fish farm where dolphins are often seen. You will kayak, snorkel, learn about local sea life, and finish with Sardinian snacks and drinks. Guides may include Marco, Maria, Emmanuel, or Vincent.

“HUGE thanks to Emmanuel and Maria that made the experience so unique!”

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Tenerife: Turtle & Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel & Wetsuit - Along Tenerife’s west coast beneath the Guaza Mountains
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Tenerife: Turtle & Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel & Wetsuit

5.Turtle & Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel & Wetsuit

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,411 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $42

Set out from Los Cristianos with Xplore Tenerife for roughly three hours of sea kayaking, snorkeling, and wildlife watching. Guides such as Max, Bea, Jessica, Mario, and Coco provide instruction and safety support. Wetsuits, kayaks, photos, and videos are included, but bring water, a towel, swimsuit, and sun protection.

“We had a great time on our kayaking trip. We saw several turtles and end even some dolphins in the distance. The snorkeling break was also nice, the water was clear and you could observe several colorful fish. Our guide Bea was great, very helpful and knowledgeable.”

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Mangroves and Manatees - Guided Kayak Eco Tour - Mangrove tunnels, clear water, and the wildlife search
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Mangroves and Manatees – Guided Kayak Eco Tour

6.Mangroves and Manatees – Guided Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,222 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69

Paddle a single or double kayak through Tavernier Creek with guides such as Jack, Tony, Sarah, or Keith. You’ll get land and on-water instruction, pass shallow grass beds and mangrove tunnels, and watch for manatees, turtles, rays, dolphins, birds, and fish. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“Our guide was awesome. We paddled on a windy day and against the current going out, but she kept us in the right channels and made sure we made it no problem. I just wish we had more time in the mangrove tunnels! We all expected to be sore from paddling but nobody in our family group had any discomfort. This was our favorite activity in the Keys.”

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Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour - How the three-hour route works
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Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour

7.Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 954 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95

Kayak from Port of the Islands through the Ten Thousand Islands area on a three-hour, four-mile downwinder. You’ll spend about 30 minutes looking for winter manatees, then paddle mangrove tunnels and salt marshes. Tandem kayaks, instruction, and an ACA-certified guide are included.

“Our group of 8 with adults and kids really enjoyed kayaking through the mangrove trees and seeing tons of animals. Ty was great and we would highly recommend this activity!”

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Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour - Wildlife watching without false promises
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Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour

8.Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 926 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

From Turtle Beach, paddle calm Sarasota waters with a guide from SURFit USA, then wind through Jim Neville Preserve’s mangroves. Guides such as Orion and Michael share local wildlife knowledge, help beginners, and stop at a beach or sandbar for shells and shark teeth.

“My friend and I had a blast! We saw a dolphin, and stopped at a hidden beach to look for shells and shark teeth.”

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Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking - Wildlife to watch for, without chasing it
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Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

9.Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 923 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Spend about 2.5 hours kayaking Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands with guides such as James, Ian, or Susie. Paddle open lagoons and narrow mangrove tunnels while watching for manatees, dolphins, stingrays, tarpon, crabs, and birds. Your guide takes photos and emails them within 48 hours.

“Equipment was good. Guide was knowledgeable and set a comfortable pace. Saw plenty of critters and birds. About the right length of time on the tour.”

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Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River - Other Wildlife Beneath and Around the Kayak
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Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

10.Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 691 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend about two hours in a stable tandem clear kayak on Crystal River with a local guide such as Jess, Kyle, or RJ. Look beneath you for manatees and fish, while learning about Kings Bay, nearby canals, and the local ecosystem. Groups are capped at 10.

“Good guide very informative really enjoyed it. Very friendly and helpful staff. Times and equipment good.”

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Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge - Why the water can glow
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Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

11.Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 605 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Join BK Adventure for a 90-minute night paddle through Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. Guides such as Faith, Brea, Seven, Leslie, and Leo help you spot glowing plankton and comb jellyfish from your kayak. Equipment is included, and groups are limited to eight.

“Was a beautiful night but the bioluminescence was disappointing Also at times can be stressful if you’re not a experienced kayaker because you are bunched up with other kayakers and you might run into them.”

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Tromsø: Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings - Reaching basecamp from Tromsø
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Tromsø: Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings

12.Tromsø: Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 591 reviews · 5 - 6 hours · from $225

You’ll paddle winter fjords near Tromsø in a small group of up to 10, with drysuits, instruction, transfers, and guides such as Lauti, Jenka, and Eamon. Expect about 2.5 hours on the water, possible seals and sea eagles, and hot drinks and snacks by the fire afterward.

“Activity was great. Most in the group did not have any kayak experience, but that did not impact the experience. Already started with a seal in the place where we entered the water, and after approximately 1hr we found a big group of seals. Thanks to our guides, who set a nice pace and kept good tracknof us.”

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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour - Paddling through a 10,000-year-old mangrove system
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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

13.Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

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

From Angas Inlet Boat Club, you’ll paddle through 10,000-year-old mangrove creeks with a marine biologist guide such as Alex, Paddy, Mark, or Kendall. Expect gentle instruction, birds, shipwrecks, and possible dolphin sightings, though wildlife and route conditions can change.

“Alex was really knowledgeable about the area, the wildlife and history. He was patient with a couple of people who struggled with their Kayak. He gave a great introduction to kayaking and safety. The weather was great for the time of year and we actually got to see very active dolphins which mae my day and everyone else's, including Alex. I'd happily go again and would be happy if Alex was our guide. Thoroughly recommended experience.”

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Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena) - Paddling over Makena’s shallow reefs
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Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

14.Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 551 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $130

Meet Ohana Ocean Adventures at Makena Landing Park for a three-hour morning tour with clear-bottom kayaks, reef viewing, and optional snorkeling. Guides such as Kyle, Curtis, Marc, and Michael share local marine knowledge while helping families spot turtles, fish, rays, and seasonal humpback whales.

“This was absolutely amazing! Our tour guide Mark was awesome and very knowledgeable and showed us a variety of locations and we saw a lot of turtles and fishes. The weather was wonderful and we were very pleased with everything. I highly recommend them and we will do this again with our daughter. Having a clear bottom kayak was a plus too!”

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Kayak tour with aperitif and dolphins - Paddling along Cala Moresca
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Kayak tour with aperitif and dolphins

15.Kayak tour with aperitif and dolphins

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 471 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $54

Paddle from Baracconi Beach with guides including Maria, Emmanuel, Marco, and Francesco. Stop to snorkel at Cala Moresca, visit Figarolo Island for Sardinian snacks and drinks, and look for bottlenose dolphins near the fish farm. The three-hour trip suits beginners, families, and confident paddlers.

“The guide, the water, the dolphins, the snorkeling, the kayaking... 10s across the board! Highly recommended!”

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New in Wildlife Kayak Tours

★ 5.0Small Group Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour near OrlandoFrom $80224 reviews
★ 5.0Ottawa: Ecological Reserve Kayak Tour with Turtle SightingsFrom $4754 reviews
★ 4.4Los Cristianos: Kayaking and Snorkeling with Marine WildlifeFrom $53210 reviews
★ 5.0Guided Dolphin Eco Tour by Kayak & SUP – Fort Myers Beach, FLFrom $5033 reviews
★ 5.0Stand Up Paddle With Dolphins, aperitif and picturesFrom $6969 reviews
★ 5.0Dolphin and Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure Tour of Cocoa BeachFrom $65194 reviews
★ 4.5Sunset Dolphin Kayak Tour at Golfo AranciFrom $6322 reviews
★ 5.0Golfo Aranci: Kayak tour with aperitif&dolphin sighting (max 9 Pax)From $5995 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife Kayak Tour in Santa Barbara Harbor (2 Hours)From $59172 reviews
★ 4.9Santa Barbara Harbor: Wildlife Kayak Tour (2 Hours)From $5543 reviews
★ 5.0Private Beginner Paddleboard Lesson with Snorkel in Turtle TownFrom $17950 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife Refuge Sunset Dolphin, Manatee & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!From $6120 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife Refuge Manatee, Dolphin & Mangrove Kayak or Paddleboarding Tour!From $52210 reviews
★ 5.0Wildlife on the Bow | Big Canoe Tour in Banff National ParkFrom $6977 reviews
★ 5.0Okinawa Miyako Beach SUP or Canoe and sea turtle SnorkelingFrom $8958 reviews

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