Cape Byron Kayaks
ProHighlights
- Guided sea kayak tours from Clarkes Beach around to the Cape, looking for the resident bottlenose dolphins
- Private group tours take up to 32 paddlers, with guides who are qualified surf lifesavers
- Miss the dolphins (or whales in season) and you can come back on another tour at no charge
About Cape Byron Kayaks
Cape Byron Kayaks has been taking people paddling around the Byron Bay headland since 1995. Tours meet at the beach office on Lawson Street, then walk a short sandy track to Clarkes Beach to launch through the surf. Everyone paddles a stable two-person sit-on-top kayak, so no experience is needed. The route follows the coast out towards the Cape, stopping near Wategos Beach to watch for the resident bottlenose dolphins. Turtles turn up often, and humpback whales pass through from about May to November. If the group sees no dolphins (or whales in season), each paddler can return for another tour without paying again. The guides are local surfers and qualified surf lifesavers who talk about the lighthouse, Aboriginal history and the marine park along the way. Before heading in they show the group how to ride a wave in the kayak, and the tour ends back on the sand with as many Tim Tams as anyone wants. For corporate teams, conference groups and sporting clubs, the operator runs private tours of up to 32 people plus guides, and can shape the outing around the group. Allow about two and a half hours from check-in, with roughly 90 minutes or more on the water. Send an enquiry with your numbers and preferred date to ask about group pricing.
Inclusions & amenities
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What's Included
Frequently asked questions
How many people can join a private group tour?
Private group tours take up to 32 people plus the guides. Groups of 10 or more are asked to get in touch for group pricing rather than booking standard seats.
Do we need kayaking experience or to be strong swimmers?
No kayaking experience is needed, as the double sit-on-top kayaks are stable and guides give full instruction. Anyone aged 16 or over must be able to swim 25 metres unassisted, and a reasonable level of fitness is expected because the tour is in the open ocean.
Can children come on the tour?
The minimum age is five. Paddlers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult, at a ratio of one adult to one child, and it helps if children are confident in the water.
What is supplied and what should we bring?
The kayak, paddle, life jacket and helmet are supplied, plus a wetsuit if needed, and belongings can be stored in the locked beach office. Bring swimmers, a towel, sunscreen and a water bottle.
What happens if we don't see any dolphins?
Every tour carries a wildlife guarantee. If you see no dolphins, or no whales during whale season, you can join another tour for free. The return trip does not expire but cannot be passed to someone else.
Where we are
Suitable occasions
Dan A
3 weeks ago
The team at Cape Byron were all great and fun to be around during the tour. The vibes were definitely good, recommend jumping in for a tour if you’d like to see some wildlife while catching some waves on the way out 😉
Kimberly Pfeifle
a month ago
Cape Byron Kayaks was a fantastic choice for our group. Safety was taken seriously but presented in a digestible and fun way. The guides were class! Sol, Jasper, Jess, and Darby were all amazing dealing with our large gr…
Anke Hanusch
2 months ago
It was just the best activity during two long driving-sessions on Greyhound bus. Very welcoming, supporting and helpful staff. Highly recommended!
Lauren Skeels
a year ago
Did the 7am tour which I’ve been told is the best time to spot the wildlife. We saw a pod of around 5 dolphins quite a few times, they came quite close to some kayaks depending on where you were in the group. I was a bit…
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