Kayaking With Kids in Sydney

Family Kayaking on Sydney Harbour

Kayaking with kids on Sydney Harbour is one of the best family activities in Sydney. It's active, educational, outdoors and screen-free — and children absolutely love it. But parents naturally have questions about safety, ages and logistics. Here's everything you need to know.

What Age Can Kids Start Kayaking?

Ages 3–5

Too young to paddle independently, but perfect as passengers in a tandem kayak with a parent. They sit in the front seat and enjoy the ride while you do the paddling. Most kids this age love being on the water — the movement, the views and especially spotting fish and birds.

Ages 6–10

Old enough to sit in the front of a tandem kayak and contribute some paddling. They won't power the kayak (that's still your job), but the involvement makes them feel like real adventurers. This is the sweet spot for family tours — kids are engaged, excited and manageable.

Ages 11–14

Many kids this age can handle a single kayak on calm harbour water, depending on their size and confidence. Our guides assess each young paddler individually and will recommend tandem or single based on what they see.

Ages 15+

Teenagers are generally fine in single kayaks with a brief instruction. Most teens love the independence and the photo opportunities — it's a rare activity that genuinely impresses a teenager.

Safety for Kids on the Water

Safety is our top priority for family tours. Here's what we provide and what we recommend:

What We Provide

• Child-sized life jackets — properly fitted and Australian Standards approved
• Stable, wide touring kayaks — virtually impossible to tip on calm water
• Experienced guides — trained in water safety and working with children
• Full safety briefing — age-appropriate instructions for every child

What Parents Should Do

• Apply sunscreen before arriving — reapply is hard once on the water
• Bring hats with chin straps — regular hats blow off on the water
• Pack snacks and water — hungry kids are unhappy kids
• Manage expectations — a 2-hour tour is long for young children. Our guides can adjust pace and include rest stops
• Review our full family kayaking checklist before your tour

Making It Fun for Kids

The secret to a great family kayak isn't the paddling — it's the experience around it. Here's how to keep kids engaged:

Spotting Games

Turn the paddle into a wildlife safari. Challenge kids to spot:

• Fish jumping
• Seabirds diving
• The faces of Luna Park
• Boats of different colours
• Wildlife like cormorants and pelicans

Let Them Lead

Give older kids some navigation responsibility. "Can you steer us toward that yellow buoy?" makes them feel capable and keeps them focused.

Photo Challenges

Give each child a waterproof phone or camera and challenge them to capture the best photo of the Bridge, the Opera House, or their sibling paddling. Check our photography tips for ideas.

Stop and Swim

On warm days, some harbour spots allow a quick dip. Ask your guide about safe swimming stops — kids love the combination of paddling and swimming.

Best Tour for Families

Our sunrise tour offers the calmest water conditions, which is ideal for families. However, the early start can be challenging for young children.

For most families, a private tour is the best option. Your guide can:

• Adjust the pace to suit your kids' energy levels
• Choose the calmest route conditions
• Include extra stops for photos, snacks and rest
• Shorten or extend the tour as needed

What If My Child Doesn't Want to Paddle?

No problem at all. In a tandem kayak, the front paddler (your child) can paddle, rest, look around or play — the rear paddler (you) controls the kayak. Many young children paddle enthusiastically for 10 minutes, then spend the rest of the tour happily watching the harbour glide by.

Book a Family Adventure

Give your kids an experience that beats any screen. Kayaking Sydney Harbour together is the kind of family memory that sticks.

Browse tours | Contact us