Santa Barbara Kayak Tour: Scenic Adventure with Guides
5.0
326 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
(326 Ratings)
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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
Q111robrittanym
Feb 2, 2024
Great experience! Pearl was awesome. Definitely recommend!! - Pearl was AWESOME! I would go again. Great time through the harbor. We went for a birthday for a friend and Pearl made it super special. We stopped and watched the surfers also!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Megganr2024
Jan 27, 2024
Zen Experience Kayaking in Santa Barbara - I could not be more impressed with the customer service, both on the phone with Connor, and during our outing with Pearl. Groupon made an error (I think?) with the date of our reservation. I called ahead, thankfully, and they honored it and were exceptionally accommodating. Pearl was friendly, patient and knowledgeable! I would recommend this specific package to anyone….hoping to maybe try mountain biking for beginners another time and maybe take my husband and my 13 year old out on the water. Conditions for this day were superbly perfect! But even if the weather was not ideal, the staff would have still made the experience pleasurable. I was a blissed out blob of relaxed jello when we returned to the beach…highly recommended ya’ll! ✌🏼
Review provided by Tripadvisor
667whith
Dec 28, 2023
Great family kayak trip - Taylor was our guide for the harbor tour and it was great! Lots of sunshine and information about the area. Tandem kayaks were easy to maneuver on the beach and nobody tipped over!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthewsy4644wh
Nov 7, 2023
Friendly, informative, and relaxing. - Charles, the guide, was friendly and informative. Ask him about the fires and about some of the more prominent residents of Santa Barbara. Great views. We had a great time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Donitae795
Oct 19, 2023
Kayaking Seniors! - We are a gaggle of gallivanting gals all retired seniors and so enjoyed our adventure with Pearl and Sean kayaking the Santa Barbara Harbor. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
K8967rrkristend
Sep 27, 2023
So fun! - My daughter and I had a great time with Taryn and the new people we met in our group kayaking tour. Taryn was laid back, knowledgeable and made sure we were all safe. Very relaxing and my daughter's favorite part was the short stop at a beach to play a little. All in all we had a lot of fun. Thanks Taryn.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Onair18817757445
Sep 11, 2023
Must do in Santa Barbara! - Fun, easy activity to do with family and friends!!!! Only advice be prepared to get wet! … sometimes you might have a tricky landing. :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
220sherrih
Sep 6, 2023
Kickin’ Kayak Trip! - What a phenomenal kayaking trip! Amanda did a fabulous job navigating and sharing fun tidbits about the harbor and Santa Barbara in general. We got so close to the sea lions on the buoy which was a very cool life moment. Amazing weather and water conditions - 100% recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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