Guided Kayak Wildlife Tour in the Santa Barbara Harbor

Badge of ExcellenceSanta Barbara, USA

2 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Get another perspective on the southern California coast during this leisurely kayak tour in Santa Barbara. Learn the basics of kayaking from your guide, and hear about Santa Barbara’s natural history and marine life during your tour. Includes use of all kayaking gear.

Kayak tour in Santa Barbara
Receive instruction on paddling and steering the kayak
Watch harbor seals, sea lions, and other wildlife in their natural environment
Get a new perspective on the beaches and city
Suitable for beginners, no experience needed

What's Included

All taxes, fees and handling charges
All associated kayaking gear (wet suit, PFD, helmet, paddle, etc.
Knowledgeable guide and discussion of natural history/marine ecology
Spectacular views of Santa Barbara

Personal expenses
Parking is $2.00 per hour, maximum $12.00 per car.
Gratuity for your guide(s) - While optional it is very much appreciated and to be given at your discretion in return for their leadership, expertise, and professionalism.You can tip the guide in cash or via credit card at the end of your tour as you feel appropriate.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

C855+C4P, Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Enter the harbor at Harbor Way. Turn left and enter at the kiosk. Continue in the direction of the wharf. Follow the signs to the boat launch area. We will meet you at the boat ramp located at the end of the harbor parking lot (next to West Beach). Look for your guide with the kayaks.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Make your own way to the boat launch at Santa Barbara Harbor to meet your kayak guide.

Start by getting outfitted with paddle jackets, PFDs, a paddle, and a kayak. Your guide provides a paddling demonstration and safety talk, then makes sure you are comfortable in your boat. Set out on the water from the boat launch and paddle through the harbor, passing other boats, the historic wharf, under the pier, and along the beach. Along the way, look for wildlife like harbor seals, sea lions, brown pelicans, sea stars, cormorants, and seagulls.

Expect to paddle approximately one to two miles (1.5–3 km) along the coast before returning to the boat dock where your tour ends.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 1 day of travel. In this case confirmation will be received as soon as possible, subject to availability
If your contact number is international please include your email address in the comment section.
Wheelchair accessible
Minimum numbers apply. Our kayak tours require a minimum of 2 participants to run. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
If you are a single traveler, please feel free to call our office to confirm availability
Children under 5 are not permitted. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult in a double kayak.
Although we offer dry bags to help keep gear dry, everything that comes on the kayaking trip runs the risk of getting wet. We therefore recommend that you only bring personal gear that can get wet or damp during the trip. Items that must stay dry such as cameras or other electronic devices, change of clothes or personal belongings should stay in your vehicle.

Near public transportation
To ensure proper equipment, please provide your heights & weights. Thank you.
Double kayaks are automatically provided. Singles are available for odd number parties. Guests over 230lbs will be provided a single kayak.
Guests under 18 years of age MUST have a parent or legal guardian sign their release forms. If you need this paperwork sent to you ahead of time, please contact our office.
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

Cancellation Policy

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

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Carri_H

It was a wonderful bday kayaking tour we had a great adventure! We saw lots of wildlife and it was awesome! thanks guys!

Reviews

5.0

84 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 84 reviews

Awesome adventure with mom

Carri_H, May 2024

It was a wonderful bday kayaking tour we had a great adventure! We saw lots of wildlife and it was awesome! thanks guys!

Great experience

Giselle_T, Feb 2024

Nora was a fantastic guide. I really appreciated all of the bird knowledge, knowledge of Santa Barbara, and overall felt very safe and comfortable.

Great time

Hilary_A, Nov 2023

My husband and 9 year old son did this together and had a great time. They were the only ones signed up so had the awesome guide Kyle all to themselves. Thank you for a memorable part of our vacation!

Fantastic guide. Paddled...

Elaine_H, Nov 2023

Fantastic guide. Paddled out about one mile to the buoy with the bell and watched the sea lions. Paddling under the pier was also fun.

Great day

Deborah_D, Nov 2023

Nora was an awesome guide and instructor Knowledgeable Fun Great tour Highly recommend We got off our cruise ship, and she was right there ready to give us a Great Thor everything was set up

Kayak trip

ricardo_b, Sep 2023

The tour guide was very friendly and she gave us alot of information. The instruction on how to use the kayak was useful.

I loved this experience

Danielle_M, Sep 2023

Beau was a awesome tour guide. Kayaking was easy.. we paddled around the dock and tried to catch some waves… We fell off our kayaks a couple times, but it was fun in the water was refreshing.

Beau was great!

Renato_G, Aug 2023

Beau was incredible! Had amazing facts about everything and was a great tour guide to be around! 10/10 recommend!

Superb, first class experience

Nelson_M, Aug 2023

What a fantastic organised day, kayaking with Artie was fun, he was knowledgeable and great fun to be around. We will recommend it to friends and family. Thanks again

Pleasant water activity together with sea wild life

NimrodSofer, Jul 2023

Approaching sea birds in short distance. Got a nice explanation prior to rowing. We haven't been in a kayak for many years and it was a very nice experience.

Luke and Bo were great...

Carol_K, Jul 2023

Luke and Bo were great guides. They shared interesting information about the harbor, area, and sea life. We were definitely out of our comfort zone as we have only kayaked on a lake before but they made us feel safe and empowered to go at our pace. This was an experience we will always remember

Family fun on the water.

Vanessa_S, Jul 2023

We had a great trip with Beau and Santa Barbara Adventure. Exactly as advertised. Family friendly and super informative. Loved it!

Sealife galore

SUSAN_B, Jun 2023

The guide pointed out starfish, sea cucumbers, crabs which we probably wouldn’t have noticed on our own. He took us to seals which we saw up close. It was really nice but I wish it was longer. Too short but beautiful experience

Beautiful Fun in Santa Barbara

Lorrie_H, May 2023

Beautiful kayak tour through Santa Barbara harbor. Our guides, Luke and Sadie were AMAZING, knowledgeable, and fun! They created the perfect balance of easy cruising through the harbor with fun-facts about local wildlife and historical spots, as well as getting some good paddling in to get a closer view of the sea lions out in the open water. My family and I had a wonderful time and highly recommend this adventure!

Great Tour!! Highly recommend!!

Linda_B, Jul 2022

This was a wonderful tour with a very knowledgeable and attentive and responsive guide, Carly! I hadn't kayaked in over ten years and she was so helpful in going over the basics again. We saw wildlife, some beautiful sights around the harbor and beach, and several points of interest. I met some wonderful people as well. Great tour!!!

Active and fun way to see the city

Debbie_K, Jun 2022

Our two guides, Addison and Kaily were excellent at keeping us safe and taking us on a nice trip through the harbor and ocean. Santa Barbara provides gorgeous views from the water and this is a wonderful way to see it.

Great tour!

kathrynpierce91, May 2022

Anders was awesome! We had a great afternoon kayaking in the SB harbor. It was an awesome tour, great to learn a little more about SB and see some sea life! So glad we went. Thanks to the tour company for being super accommodating. Can’t tell you how much we appreciate it. Will absolutely be back!

Great experience

Eseta_J, May 2022

Great experience. Anders was a wonderful guide and very knowledgeable. Beautiful views and great work out. Highly recommend

Excellent first ocean kayak experience

Sybil_D, May 2022

Wonderful guides and easy, safe way to familiarize yourself with ocean kayaking. Proper instruction was given at outset with plenty of time for questions and support along the way. My son who is 11 totally loved this experience and can’t wait to go back. We also saw seals, toured the harbor and learned about the building of Santa Barbara harbor. Guides were really awesome and good coaches too!

1st Time Kyakers 👍🏽

Hillary_S, May 2022

Chantel and Anders are great instructors. This was our first time kayaking and they put us at ease. They are knowledgeable and fun! Thanks!