Kayaking with dolphins in Byron Bay

Kayaking with dolphins in Byron Bay

Kayaking with dolphins in Byron Bay is one of the best things to when visiting Australia’s most famous surf town.

Byron, located in northern NSW, is about a nine-hour drive from Sydney, or about a two hour drive from Brisbane. It’s also easy to access from Ballina, Gold Coast, or Brisbane airports, with Ballina being the closest. Byron is famous with backpackers and locals alike for its laid-back vibes, stunning surf beaches, and could be considered the quintessential Aussie beach town. Cape Byron Lighthouse, opened in 1901, is the easternmost point of the Australian mainland, and has become an icon of the town.

It’s seriously gorgeous—each time I visit Byron, I find it hard to leave!

There’s a lot of different Byron activities to do, but I was drawn to the idea of sea kayaking- it’s an active and fun way to experience the beaches and landscape, and Byron is known for its large population of bottlenose dolphins. Sea turtles are also common, and whales can be seen seasonally.

What’s sea kayaking with dolphins all about? Read on for my review, top tips, and a description of the experience.

Cape Byron Kayaks

I went out with Cape Byron Kayaks, and was really impressed with their professionalism. I’ve done a lot of kayaking previously, and felt comfortable on the water, but I can imagine how going out into the sea if you’ve never kayaked before could be nerve-wracking. The guides really made an effort to talk to everyone and make sure we were prepared before setting off, which was nice.

Once you arrive at their meeting point, just off the main road in town, you are set up with a paddle, helmet, and life vest, and go through some safety and technique instruction. Although we had a big group, close to 30, but there were at least five guides with us.

When we were ready, we headed down to the beach where the kayaks were waiting. They are two-person, sit atop sea kayaks. Once in the water, launched by the guides one boat at a time, we began to head out. Surfing over the top of waves was an awesome adrenaline rush, once you got the hang of it.

Broadly, the trips start on Byron’s main beach, unsurprisingly named Main Beach, and then you paddle out and over to nearby Wategos Beach, where you then stop for snacks and drinks. You then paddle back to Main Beach, ending where you began. From Wategos, you can see the picturesque white lighthouse, and can look back onto Byron from a distance, and seeing the landscape from sea provides a unique perspective.

The region is part of NSW National Parks, and is protected. I’d definitely recommend coming back to Wategos for a swim- it’s seriously one of the most picturesque beaches I’ve seen in Australia, if not the world.

Along the way, the guides talk about the history of Byron from its start as a small whaling village, and point out historical points of interest. They are also excellent at spotting wildlife, and we saw dozens of pods of bottlenose dolphins, as well as several loggerhead turtles.

It’s a really fascinating experience, and hard to describe the excitement when a pod of dolphins swims right next to your kayak. The water was crystal-clear on the day, and we could see all the way to the sandy ocean floor for most of the trip, making it easy to watch these gracious creatures glide through the water. It’s a safe, ethical, and environmentally friendly way to observe marine life in its natural habitat.

How much fitness is required to sea kayak in Byron?

You don’t need to be an Olympian, but a general/average level of fitness is helpful. Paddlers are with a partner in a two-person kayak- the stronger person should go in the back. You are paddling in the ocean, and conditions can vary greatly, and can change quickly.

We paddled on a clear summer day, and it still took a lot of strength when you’re paddling against the wind. Despite being in pretty good shape, I still found my arms a little sore the next day.

If you’re worried about your kayak skills (they teach you beforehand the basics, however), ask if you can pair with one of the instructors.

There was someone in our group who couldn’t swim. Although this is allowed, going out into the ocean in a kayak likely to capsize as a non-swimmer seems like a bad life choice to me.

If you’re kayaking independently, a kayak cart can make it much easier to transport your vessel. Check out some of the best kayak carts to get started- https://www.globosurfer.com/best-kayak-carts/

Kayak tours Byron Bay

From my research, it seemed there are two main companies offering sea kayak tours- Go Sea Kayak and Cape Byron Kayaks. Both of the tours on offer are pretty similar, but I’ve put together a brief comparison below:

Tour operator	Kayak tour	Price per adult	Frequency	Duration	Selling points
Go Sea Kayak	Dolphin Sea Kayak Tour	$75.00	Daily at 9:30am and 2pm, occasional 6am sunrise tours (check website for 6am dates)	3 hours	Claim to have 100% safety record over ten years of operating. $1 from every Go Sea Kayak customer is donated to Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Dolphin Research Australia. Tour photos available for download after.
Cape Byron Kayaks	Kayak with the Dolphins	$69.00	Twice daily, Summer 8:30am – 11:30am 1:00pm – 4:00pmWinter (May – August) 10:00am – 1:00pm 1:30pm – 4:30pm	3 hours	Established in 1995, they are the original Byron kayak experience. Also includes Aussie TimTams! Offers all photos from each tour on Cape Byron Kayak’s Facebook page

 

Note: If you book through Byron Bay Adventure Tours, bookings are via Go Sea Kayak
You may also come across a company called Byron Bay Eco Cruises and Kayaks. Their trips looks fantastic, but they offer river kayaking, not ocean.

Please note: The links below are to book via Get Your Guide, similar to Viator, and is a fantastic and reputable site for booking tours that I personally use. Booking through the links allows a small commission back to the blog, at no additional cost to you, and is greatly appreciated! Prices are accurate at the time of publishing.

What is the best time of day to see dolphins in Byron?

As much as my research could deduce, dolphins can be seen at any time of day, whether you do a morning or afternoon tour. I went in the afternoon, and we saw dozens and dozens of dolphins. They live in the waters of Byron, which are a protected marine park, so I think odds are high of seeing them anytime.

However, visibility is definitely better on clear, sunny days, making it easier to see the Byron Bay dolphins both underwater as they swim past, and on the surface.

As always, respect all wild animals, and do not paddle your kayak too close to any wildlife, especially turtles and whales, as they are protected.

Looking for accommodation in Byron? The town is booming at the moment, so our top tip is to book early! 

When can I kayak with whales in Byron?

Southern humpback whales migrate through the eastern waters of Australia between May and November. According to our guides, September is one of the best months to see them in Byron. They do come close to shore, so kayaking at that time of year would be epic- I would love to come back in the winter months to try this. Byron Bay whale watching can also be done from shore, such as along the walk to the Cape Byron lighthouse, and several vantage points are marked as you do the walk from town up to the lighthouse.

The verdict?

Yes, 100% would recommend kayaking in Byron, especially if you are someone who loves the outdoors and adventure. At around $70, I think this is really good value and reasonably priced, and is perhaps the best way to see dolphins and turtles in Byron (if you aren’t planning to dive).

What else do I need to know?

• The tour was advertised as three hours, but we took closer to four- I’d allow flexibility with your timings.
• Anything your bring with you is likely to get soaked, and needs to be attached to you, so it isn’t lost. Only bring a GoPro or waterproof camera if it has a strap that you can attach to your clothes or life jacket.
• Wear so much sunscreen! Even in winter. Or, a long sun shirt. You are wearing a helmet so there’s no opportunity to wear a hat for shade. I don’t ever sunburn and I wore very strong SPF, and still came back with red shoulders.
• If you are concerned or nervous beforehand, or during, talk to the guides. They are extremely experienced and knowledgeable, and can also answer questions about the area or the wildlife you see.
• If you’d like to explore more ocean activities in Byron, consider trying an epic surfing lesson or a diving trip to nearby Julian Rocks, home to a colony of endangered grey nurse sharks. Other popular Byron Bay tours include a day trip to Nimbin, a hippie town, or into the hinterland, famous for waterfalls and bushwalks. Glowworm tours are also pretty amazing to check out.
• Cape Byron Kayaks and Go Sea Kayaks both appear to be great companies, with minute differences between the two. I think you’d have an amazing time with either.
• Looking for more adventures activities as your explore Australia’s East Coast? Check out the Sydney Bridge Climb or find fantastic (and free!) places to snorkel.
• Byron is extremely popular at the moment, as are many domestic Australian travel destinations. Book your accommodation, activities, and even restaurants well in advance of your visit, especially if you’re visiting during school holidays.

Note: the writer visited Byron and Cape Byron Kayaks as a full-paying member of the public. All kayaking photos are from Cape Byron Kayaks. This article may contain affiliate links.