Private Tour
Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Our Santa Barbara Kayak Tour can be a private tour or group tour experience. You choose your adventure! If you're looking for a more intimate Santa Barbara kayaking experience then our private kayak tour will be a perfect fit. If you're hoping to kayak Santa Barbara with other travelers and enjoy the sights with new friends then the group kayak tour is the way to go!
Whichever kayaking tour you choose you'll be in the very capable hands of our friendly and experienced tour guides. Your local kayaking guide will show you the stunning boats in our harbor as well as introduce you to some cute and cuddly sea lions and seals!
Prepare to take in views of Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and keep your eyes peeled for dolphins! Your expert guide will share information about Santa Barbara's top attractions and customize the speed of the ride to suit your needs.
Our goal is that kayaking Santa Barbara will be the highlight of your trip!
Additional Info
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
You will be meeting your guide at West Beach which is located on the beach directly across from the Harbor View Inn Hotel (28 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara). You will see our blue rental flags, white equipment shed, and stand up paddle boards and kayaks.
Children ages 5 to 11 years must be in a tandem kayak with an parent or guardian regardless of skill level
All persons must be able to swim
Please remember to bring your swimsuit and towel
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Experience Santa Barbara kayaking from a local's perspective. Your experienced kayaking guide will lead you safely through the harbor and if you're lucky you'll visit some adorable sea life! You’ll encounter breathtaking 360 degree panoramic views of the Waterfront, Santa Ynez Mountains, Channel Islands, and the majestic vessels in the harbor. Kayaking Santa Barbara is never complete without hearing fun facts about our harbor. As you wind through the calm waters of the harbor your guide will provide intriguing insights. As you kayak Santa Barbara your guide will offer knowledge about the local landscape, topography, wildlife, historical landmarks, and more. Our guided kayak tour is suitable for all skill levels, including first-time Kayakers! Life vests are provided to all participants. To embark on this Santa Barbara kayak tour each participant must know how to swim. You'll likely not need to swim during your tour but as a safety precaution, we ask that everyone kayaking with us knows how to SWIM. Please note that gratuities are not included in the cost of the tour. If you enjoyed your tour be sure to tip your guide as service industry workers often work for tips.
What‘s Included
Local guide
Life jackets
Kayaks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Options
3pm Private Kayak Tour
3pm Start Time: This is a 1.5 hour private tour. It will just be your group and your very own kayak guide from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
1pm Group Kayak Tour
1pm Start Time: This is a group tour. You'll be kayaking Santa Barbara with other travelers from 1:00pm-2:30pm.
10am Private Kayak Tour
10am Start Time: This is a private tour. It will just be your group and your very own kayak guide from 10:00am-11:30am.
11am Group Kayak Tour
11am Start Time: This is a group tour. You'll be kayaking Santa Barbara with other travelers from 11:00am-12:30pm.
Reviews
430 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fun tour, approachable for kayakers with limited experience.
joshp858,,Jan 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed our Kayak Tour of the Santa Barbara Harbor and just beyond the breakwall. Sean was a great tour guide, very informative! Only watch out was my 12 yr old son and I developed blisters on our hands from gripping too hard with the paddles. The conditions were perfect so the issue was all of our own making. I'd definitely recommend a tour of the harbor by kayak, it's a great way to get out and see the boats, some sea lions, and the city and mountains from the water!
10/10 would recommend!
871tianas,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My boyfriend and I had the best experience. It was a very reasonable price. Our tour guide was very excellent very kind and informative. The water and environment was very peaceful. We seen pelicans, sea lions, and seals. The highlight of the kayaking trip was passing through the waves when boats passed by. It was scary at first because of how much the kayak was rocking but it was fun after you got over that fear.
Great Adventure
V9855IEkimt,,Nov 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Don't miss this kayak adventure. Our guide was Danny. He was personable, informative, and fun! We had a blast and highly recommend!!
Best kayaking tour in Santa Barbara
Stay681895,,Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best time on our Wildlife Kayak tour in Santa Barbara! Josh Kamen, our tour guide, was extremely knowledgeable and taught us so much in his friendly, laid back manner. We were first time kayakers and he was so kind to be patient with us and go at a comfortable speed while also maximizing the most picturesque sights in Santa Barbara. This adventure was the highlight in of our trip and I highly recommend it for anyone that wants to enjoy the beautiful SB coastline!
Kayaking
judyeN5337JI,,Nov 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great trip and great guide (Alex). Alex is knowledgeable and professional, and there's Lots of great scenery and fun kayaking!
Private tour was great!
yvettej980,,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience as usual! Our guide Alex was great and very knowledgeable. Thank you so much! Definitely will be back.
Go for it!
Keith S,,Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First time for us. Perfect conditions and we enjoyed it immensely. Plus Alex gave us interesting local info re wildlife and the natural habitat.
Definitely worth a try!
6efrene,,Oct 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My girlfriend and I had an amazing time on our kayaking tour with Josh! From start to finish, everything was smooth, fun, and super well organized. Josh was the perfect guide, friendly, knowledgeable, and made sure we felt comfortable on the water. He shared some really interesting facts about the area and pointed out wildlife we probably would’ve missed on our own.
Perfect Santa Barbara Activity!!
248vishakhak,,Oct 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00honestly such a great and fulfilling tour. Alex came through with the jokes, facts, and vibes. didn’t realize there was so much to learn about santa barbara, its people, and geological makeup. overall, a wonderful experience. + 10/10 great kayaking instruction
Beautiful views and friendly/knowledgable guide
jadevE5842JE,,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a very beautiful experience. We were able to get pretty close to alot of birds and some sea lions. It was relaxing, fun and beginner friendly. Alex, our guide, was so friendly and knowledgeable about the nature and the SB area.
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Operated by Cal Coast Adventures