Santa Barbara Kayak Tour: Scenic Adventure with Guides
5.0
331 Ratings
Santa Barbara
Embark on a scenic Santa Barbara kayak tour with experienced guides. Explore the harbor, encounter sea lions and seals, and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and mountains.
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Cal Coast Adventures at West Beach - 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
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information

Embark on an unforgettable kayaking journey in Santa Barbara - it can be a tailored private ride or a shared group tour; you decide how you want your adventure to unfold! If you’re seeking a more personalized and private kayaking tour, then our individual kayak ride is the perfect match. Alternatively, if you wish to paddle around Santa Barbara alongside other adventurers, then our group kayak tour is your ticket to fun!

Regardless of your tour selection, you’ll be escorted by our amicable and skilled tour guides. They’ll showcase the impressive ships harbored nearby and bring you up close with adorable marine creatures such as seals and sea lions.

Be ready to feast your eyes on panoramic views of Santa Barbara and the Santa Ynez Mountains, and don’t forget to look out for the charming dolphins! Your proficient guide will educate you about the major highlights of Santa Barbara and adjust the pace of the journey to suit your comfort.

We aim to make your Santa Barbara kayaking adventure the most memorable part of your trip!

  • 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
Location
45 W Cabrillo Blvd
West Cabrillo Boulevard
You'll meet your guide on the sand of West Beach just north of the pier! You'll see our gear on the sand directly across from the Harbor View Inn Hotel. When looking at the ocean we are just to the right of Stearns Warf. Look for a white equipment shed and a blue tent. That's us!
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(331 Ratings)
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Aleynasmom
Jun 10, 2024
This is the group to use for kayaking tours! - We went out on Sunday with our ucsb intern for the summer daughter and our son 14 my husband and myself for a wonderful adventure! Noah and Danny were our guides and covered everything from the history to what is happening now! We saw sea lions seals we got to go through the marina of boats and it was just spectacular! They were the best guides and wonderful to help our family with this visit to our daughter :). Location is near restaurants and is close to bathrooms, easy to find and they can lock up your stuff. Just wonderful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisaku1369rf
Jun 6, 2024
special way to see Santa Barbara ! - We had a great time kayaking with Mackenzie today! She was super sweet and knowledgeable about all the wildlife in the area, and seeing the seals up and close was such a fun time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
N1605esalexi
Jun 3, 2024
So fun to explore the harbor with Justin - We went Kayaking with Justin and he answered all our questions and gave us so much knowledge about the Santa Barbara Marina. It was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip! He curated our experience for what we wanted to see and his enthusiasm about Santa Barbara was authentic.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Karen_r
May 28, 2024
Wonderful - Mackenzie was an awesome guide. Had a lot of fun! Water was calm and beautiful. Loved seeing the sea lions and pelicans
Review provided by Viator
Mmcpherson
May 27, 2024
Great Guide - Daryn was a great guide-knowledgeable and fun. Saw seals and sea lions and loved going under the pier. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Nina_s
May 19, 2024
Great morning exploring... - Great morning exploring the harbor! Our local guide was super friendly and knowledgeable, and helped us confidently navigate our first time kayaking
Review provided by Viator
908danielr
May 8, 2024
Great afternoon in the water. - This was a really great experience. So nice to get out in the water and our guide Andre was wonderful. Would definitely recommend to others.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cataso
Apr 19, 2024
Kayak Experience - Sean was a great and informative guide. We really enjoyed seeing Santa Barbara from the water. Learned a lot & got some good restaurant recommendations!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Q6563syjustins
Apr 11, 2024
Great guided kayak tour - Did a kayak tour with 6 coworkers around the harbor, the Stearn’s pier, and in the ocean. Josh and Tyler were great tour guides!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Teanne_c
Mar 17, 2024
Great experience!! - Had great time with Bell (and the seals)! Patient and knowledgeable - our guide Bella provided an entertaining and easy experience for two fledgling kayakers. Would highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
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June 2024
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