Best Picnic Spots by Kayak Sydney

Paddle, Land, Picnic — The Perfect Sydney Day

What's better than kayaking Sydney Harbour? Kayaking to a beautiful waterfront spot, pulling up your kayak and enjoying a picnic with harbour views. It's the ultimate Sydney day out — active, scenic and completely unique.

Here are our favourite spots to land a kayak and enjoy a meal by the water.

Top Picnic Spots Accessible by Kayak

1. Clark Island

This tiny harbour island is a hidden gem managed by NSW National Parks. It has picnic tables, grassy areas and 360-degree harbour views including the Bridge and Opera House. You'll need a National Parks booking to land, but it's worth the planning. Arriving by kayak feels like discovering your own private island.

2. Bradleys Head, Mosman

A beautiful headland with picnic facilities, sheltered beaches and one of the best viewpoints on the harbour. The foreshore has sandy spots perfect for pulling up a kayak, and the grassy areas above are ideal for spreading a picnic blanket.

3. Berry Island Reserve

A quiet, bush-covered peninsula in Wollstonecraft with dedicated picnic areas, barbecues and a sheltered beach. It's close to Lavender Bay, making it an easy paddle for a mid-morning brunch stop. The Aboriginal rock carvings here add cultural significance to your visit.

4. Cremorne Reserve

Overlooking the harbour with views toward the city, Cremorne Reserve has shaded picnic spots and a lovely harbourside walking track. Land your kayak on the small beach below and walk up to the reserve for lunch with a view.

5. Balls Head Reserve

Just around the corner from Lavender Bay, Balls Head offers a bushland setting with harbour views that feel surprisingly remote despite being minutes from the CBD. There's a small beach for landing and picnic areas surrounded by native bush.

What to Pack for a Kayak Picnic

Packing for a kayak picnic requires some thought — everything needs to be waterproof and compact.

Food Ideas

• Wraps and rolls — easier to eat than sandwiches, less messy
• Cheese, crackers, fruit — classic picnic fare that doesn't need heating
• Energy bars and trail mix — quick fuel for paddling
• Cold pasta or grain salads — hearty and travels well in a sealed container

Packing Tips

• Use a waterproof dry bag (20L minimum) for all food and drinks
• Bring a lightweight picnic blanket that packs small
• Pack reusable containers — no single-use plastics near the water
• Bring a rubbish bag — leave nothing behind
• Don't forget water — paddling is dehydrating, especially in summer

What Not to Bring

• Glass bottles (too risky on rocks and beaches)
• Anything that needs refrigeration for more than 2 hours
• Heavy or bulky items that affect your kayak stability

Combining Picnics With Guided Tours

While our standard guided tours don't include picnic stops, our private tour option can be customised to include a beach stop. Bring your own picnic supplies and we'll paddle you to the perfect spot.

For families, a picnic adds a perfect rest break in the middle of a longer paddle — kids can run around, swim and recharge before the return paddle.

Tips for the Perfect Kayak Picnic

1. Go early — morning paddles mean calm water and the best beach spots before crowds
2. Check tides — some beaches shrink significantly at high tide
3. Sun protection — there's often limited shade at beach spots. Bring a hat and sunscreen
4. Clean up thoroughly — harbour wildlife depends on clean shorelines
5. Allow extra time — don't rush. The whole point is to slow down and enjoy

Plan Your Paddle-and-Picnic Day

Ready to combine the best of kayaking and outdoor dining? Contact us to discuss a custom private tour with a picnic stop built in.

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