Top picks · WILDLIFE KAYAK TOURS

Where to Kayak With Wildlife: the 15 Best Tours Worldwide

73 tours  ·  from $27 a head

A kayak is quiet enough that dolphins, manatees and turtles carry on as if you were not there. These 15 tours go where the animals reliably are, with the season that gives the best odds.

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.Tenerife: 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 without chasing them. You’ll stop at Cueva de los Enamorados and snorkel in a boat-access-only bay. Wetsuits, kayaks, gear, insurance, and photos are included. Swimming ability is required, and the minimum age is 14.

“We had a really great time on this trip and Gonza was an excellent guide. We were lucky enough to see turtles and lots of fish”

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Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach - Around the island, yacht club, and canals
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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 through Daytona Beach canals, beneath seven bridges, around an island, and past yachts while looking for dolphins and manatees. Guides such as Brock, Dallas, and Spencer teach beginners on calm water, with kayaks available if standing feels uneasy. Morning departures offer cooler weather and better wildlife conditions.

“Spence was an awesome guide!!! Very caring and attentive!!! We didn’t see any wildlife but very scenic tour.”

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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours - November to March: the best window for manatees
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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.)

Launch from Kings Bay Park for a two-hour small-group clear kayak tour with an English-speaking guide such as Crosby, Dmitri, Yas, or Cami. From April 1 to November 14, paddle to Three Sisters Springs and swim. From November 15 to March 31, focus on manatees in warm spring water, with no need to get in.

“Dmitri our guide was phenomenal! Despite the super cold weather, and limited sun, we still saw manatees! He was very knowlegable about the area, manatees and we learned so much while having a lot of fun! Highly recommend!”

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Golfo Aranci: Kayak Tour with Dolphins and Aperitif - Getting started with a short kayak lesson
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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 guides such as Marco, Maria, Emmanuel, and Vincent. You’ll kayak past Cala Moresca, snorkel near Figarolo, search for wild dolphins by a sea fish farm, and finish with Sardinian snacks and drinks. The route changes with sea conditions, and dolphin sightings are never guaranteed.

“Great experience. We saw the dolphins and found the guides, Vincent and Gaia, very knowledgeable and friendly. We would certainly recommend this trip.”

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Tenerife: Turtle & Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel & Wetsuit - Starting in Los Cristianos
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Tenerife: Turtle & Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel & Wetsuit

5.Tenerife: Turtle & Dolphin Kayak Tour with Snorkel & Wetsuit

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

Set out from Los Cristianos with an English-speaking guide, wetsuit, kayak, life vest, shoes, and snorkel gear provided. Paddle about 6 km along Tenerife’s west coast beneath the Guaza Mountains, pause to snorkel, and watch for wild dolphins, turtles, stingrays, and fish. Guides such as Bea, Max, Coco, and Jessica lead groups of up to 16.

“Great Day out. We booked the morning slot at 10am which was great because water was so calm. David was a friendly instructor who was very bubbly and energetic the whole tour. We were very lucky to see dophins and turtles on our trip. They also provided snorkeling gear for us to use!”

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Mangroves and Manatees - Guided Kayak Eco Tour - The guides make this easier for beginners
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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

Kayak through Tavernier Creek’s shallow mangrove waters with a local guide such as Jack, Tony, Sarah, or Keith. Choose a single or double kayak, learn on land and on the water, and watch for manatees, dolphins, turtles, rays, fish, and birds. The roughly two-hour tour suits beginners and families, with groups capped at 12.

“Relatively easy activity for all. Our adult kids really enjoyed it. Make sure to have sunscreen. Very easy to find.”

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Dolphin, Manatee and SeaTurtle SUP Adventure Tour of St Augustine - Kayak or paddleboard: choose with care
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Dolphin, Manatee and SeaTurtle SUP Adventure Tour of St Augustine

7.Dolphin, Manatee and SeaTurtle SUP Adventure Tour of St Augustine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,219 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Paddle for about two hours with a guide from Three Brothers Boards, choosing a kayak or paddleboard. You’ll explore the waters near Anastasia State Park and the St Augustine Lighthouse, watching for dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, birds, sharks, and jumping fish. Guides including Ryan, Spence, Nolan, and Todd are praised for patient instruction and local wildlife knowledge.

“Spencer was a great tour guide! It was very fun to paddleboard and see florida! I saw a sea turtle but it was bit late in the season for manatees!”

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Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour - From Port of the Islands Marina into the mangroves
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Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour

8.Manatees and Mangrove Tunnels Small Group Kayak Tour

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

Join an ACA-certified guide such as Adam, Justin, Tiffany, or Caroline for a three-hour tandem kayak trip through Naples-area mangroves and canals. The route includes a winter manatee search, narrow mangrove tunnels, salt marsh, and wildlife viewing in the Ten Thousand Islands area. A van shuttle sets up the downwind paddle back to the marina.

“Justin provided some really great information and he is just a really good guide! Such a worthwhile Kayaking Experience”

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Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour - Through the mangrove islands of Jim Neville Preserve
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Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour

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

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

Start at Turtle Beach Boat Launch and paddle calm Sarasota Bay with a guide, then wind through the Jim Neville Preserve by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Guides such as Orion, Billy, and Michael share local wildlife details. Expect a beach or sandbar stop, possible manatees and dolphins, and a relaxed two-hour outing for all skill levels.

“If the group is to large You won't be able to hear the tour guide. They will repeat the information. We saw Osprey collect material and add it to a nest. Also, catch a fish”

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Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking - Wildlife sightings, with realistic expectations
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Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

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

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

Paddle Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands with a guide such as James, Ian, Susie, or Michael. You’ll move through open lagoon water and narrow mangrove tunnels while looking for manatees, dolphins, tarpon, stingrays, crabs, and birds. Tours last about 2.5 hours, include kayaks and photos, and limit groups to 10 people.

“Fun, exciting, totally different experience. Kayak took us through Mangroves, seeing manatees along the way. Best time we had in Cocoa Beach.”

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Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River - Why the guides matter more than the boat
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Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

11.Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

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

Paddle Crystal River in a stable, tandem clear kayak with a guide such as Jess, Kyle, RJ, or Cypress. The two-hour tour may reveal manatees, turtles, dolphins, otters, fish, and birds beneath your boat. Equipment is included, but plan for parking, launch fees, moderate paddling, and changing water clarity.

“It was a beautiful day and the experience was priceless. Our guide was very friendly and we got a few great photos from him.”

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Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge - Getting fitted with the kayak and safety gear
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Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

12.Bioluminescence Night Kayaking Tour of Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

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

Meet your guide at Haulover Canal for a 90-minute paddle through the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. You’ll learn about bioluminescence, watch comb jellies glow beneath your kayak, and may spot dolphins or hear manatees. Guides including Faith, Brea, Seven, Leslie, and Leo have led outings.

“Getting to see the bioluminescence and the peacefulness of kayaking at night under the stars. Our guide Seven did a really nice job of sharing information about the location and the wildlife within it.”

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Tromsø: Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings - The transfer from Tromsø to the basecamp
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Tromsø: Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings

13.Tromsø: Winter Sea Kayaking Tour with Wildlife Sightings

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

Kayak Tromsø’s winter fjords in a small group of up to 10, with drysuits, instruction, transport, and a local English-speaking guide. Guides such as Lauti, Jenka, Eamon, and Advin help beginners manage the cold, currents, and paddling pace. Look for seals, sea eagles, ducks, and floating ice before warming up at basecamp.

“Great activity. Super cool, mentally and physically lol. The view is amazing. Loved it very much. The guides are super helpful. We weren’t paddling fast enough and they’ll wait for you. If you’re tired, you will get tied to a rope, and they’ll pull you :)”

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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour - The first 15 minutes: safety and kayak practice
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Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

14.Adelaide: Dolphin Sanctuary Eco Kayaking Tour

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

Join a marine biologist guide at Port Adelaide for a gentle three-hour paddle through 10,000-year-old mangroves, tidal creeks, and past historic shipwrecks. You may see dolphins, pelicans, and other wildlife. No kayaking experience is needed, but children must be at least 10 and able to paddle.

“it was such a nice experience! we couldn't see many ship wrecks but saw many dolphins. loved that bit! highly recommend doing this if in Adelaide!”

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Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena) - Turtle Town and the optional snorkel stop
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Maui Clear Kayak and Snorkel Tour: Swim with turtles (Makena)

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

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

Meet your guide at Makena Landing for a three-hour morning trip over shallow reefs. Paddle a clear-bottom kayak toward Turtle Town, watch for turtles and fish, then snorkel if you wish. Guides including Kyle, Curtis, Marc, and Michael focus on safety, marine life, and keeping the group together. Winter may bring humpback whales.

“My husband and I had a great time. Kyle was very patient and made sure to check on everyone often. My husband and I almost sank the kayak when my husband tried to get back in after snorkeling but Kyle was very nice about it. He flipped it to get the water out and had us on our way in a few minutes. His patience and humor made it a very fun experience. Not everyone went snorkeling but he made sure to pull the kayak to show us the turtles. It was a great experience and I plan to do it again when I come back to Maui. Thanks again,…”

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New in Wildlife Kayak Tours

★ 4.5From Perth: Rockingham Seal & Penguin Islands Sea Kayak TourFrom $14042 reviews
★ 4.8Exmouth: Half Day Turtle Kayak & Snorkel TourFrom $10635 reviews
★ 5.0Aquaventure World: Dolphin Paddle and Waterpark Day PassFrom $18910 reviews
★ 4.6Dolphin Kayak Safari at Sunset at Golfo AranciFrom $6226 reviews
★ 4.7Crystal River: Clear Kayak Manatee Tour w/Free Photo PackageFrom $6312 reviews
★ 4.8Crystal River: Guided Kayak Tour with Manatee EncountersFrom $5058 reviews
★ 4.3Cocoa Beach: Dolphin and Manatee Kayak or Paddle TourFrom $6569 reviews
★ 4.3Merritt Island: Manatee Watching Paddle or Kayak TourFrom $659 reviews
★ 4.9Charleston: Folly Beach Stand Up Paddleboard Dolphin SafariFrom $6049 reviews
★ 4.9Charleston: Folly Beach Morning Kayak Dolphin SafariFrom $5510 reviews
★ 5.0Cape Town: Dolphin & Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Adventure ⚓️From $3757 reviews
★ 4.8Canning River Half-Day Kayak Wildlife TourFrom $5517 reviews
★ 5.0Bonita Springs: Kayak Tour with Manatees, Dolphins SightingsFrom $706 reviews
★ 4.7Berlin: Assateague Island Wildlife Discovery Kayak TourFrom $759 reviews
★ 4.8Bradenton: Anna Maria Island Guided Kayaking Manatee TourFrom $5586 reviews

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