The 15 Canoe & Kayak Trips in South Africa That Repay the Fare

1.Marine Life Kayak Tour From the V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 640 reviews · 2 hours · from $37Our pick

Kayak from Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront on the Atlantic for marine life sightings and Table Mountain views. Small group, 2 hours.

“This was stunning. The whole team were super friendly and helpful throughout. We was able to see several dolphins on our trip and was even treated to them jumping out of the water! You do have to go in twos, so if you are solo you’ll be paired up with someone random or with a guide!”

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2.Guided Kayaking in Hout Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 228 reviews · 2 hours · from $37

Guided kayaking in Hout Bay, Cape Town. 2 hours, gear included, small groups, expert guidance, and wildlife like seals and dolphins.

“It was a really good tour around Hout Bay, unfortunately for us the weather was quite awful (super windy), so that was a double challenge, but we managed to see the sea lions and some dolphins far away. It was interesting to know about the history of Hout Bay.”

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3.Atlantic Outlook Kayak Tour Cape Town

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 194 reviews · from $29Top rated

Guided Atlantic kayak tour from the V&A Waterfront. Gear included, small groups, marine life sightings, and ocean views of Table Mountain.

“It was incredible. There were also dolphins and seals in the ocean next to us whilst we were kayaking”

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4.Cape Town Kayak Adventure in Table Mountain Marine Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 151 reviews · from $28

Guided kayak on Cape Town’s Table Bay from Three Anchor Bay, with Table Mountain views and possible Heaviside’s dolphins. 2-hour tour.

“Really enthusiastic, friendly, and customer focused staff! What a nice experience to see Cape Town from a different perspective!”

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5.Guided Sea Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 121 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

2-hour guided sea kayak off Plettenberg Bay with Tsitsikamma and Robberg views, plus seal, dolphin, and seasonal whale sightings.

“We really enjoyed this activity, we got to see a little hammer head shark! Unfortunately we didn’t get to see much of anything else, but that’s the gamble you take with the ocean 😂. Our guide Giovanni was excellent!”

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6.Dolphin & Ocean Wildlife Kayaking Adventure ⚓️

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 2 hours · from $37

Paddle Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard for 2 hours to spot dolphins, penguins, seals, and whales, with Table Mountain views and smoothies.

“Amazing! The surfski and paddle are almost new. The guides are professional. We enjoyed it much”

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7.Stormsrivier: Green Route Tubing and Paddle-Boarding Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 40 reviews · 3 hours · from $62

3-hour Storms River tubing and SUP in Tsitsikamma forests, easy flat-water paddling plus tube run, from $62.

“Derrin and luciene made this activity totally worth it. It was a great experience paddling and tubing our way through the Stormsrivier.”

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8.Knysna Kayak Hire

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 30 reviews · 1 hour · from $15Best value

1-hour self-guided kayak hire on Knysna Lagoon from 23 Sawtooth Ln, stable kayaks, life jackets included, explore Thesen Island channels.

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9.Guided Kayak Tour of Clifton Beaches & The Coast

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 28 reviews · 1h 30m · from $49

Kayak Clifton Bay in Cape Town for 90 minutes, with seal colony, kelp rock pools, and views of Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles.

“We absolutely loved it! It was wonderful and exciting with spectacular views. The guides were well equipped, knowledgeable, very friendly and helpful. We loved every minute of it. Will definitely recommend”

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10.Guided Kayaking in Hout Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $25

Guided kayaking in Hout Bay, Cape Town. Stress-free gear, Chapman's Peak and harbor views, and chances to spot seals, penguins, whales, and dolphins.

“Great experience even with the high winds. Saw plenty of seals and learnt about the interesting history of Hout Bay.”

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11.Paddle with the Penguins

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · from $34

Paddle sea kayaks off Simon’s Town to see African penguins in their coastal habitat, with beginner-friendly instruction and included gear.

“While we had our tour be canceled by the company due to high winds we can express the professionalism of this company as well as the guide Terry!! He personally contacted us to let us know our tour was cancelled and then he even Read more”

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12.Kayak Adventure at Clifton Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $28

Kayak from Clifton 4th to Clifton 1st in Cape Town. Stable beginner kayaks, kelp forests and rock pools, big views, 90 minutes.

“To be honest I was quite petrified 🤣 but the guides really calmed me down saying all will be good. It was a beautiful day with stunning weather conditions and it ended up being such a treat and amazing experience with my kids. I highly recommend Kayak Adventure at Clifton Beach.”

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13.Cape Town Sea Kayaking Adventure launching from V&A Waterfront

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 15 reviews · from $30

Beginner-friendly sea kayaking from V&A Waterfront. Paddle past Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, and Signal Hill, with a chance to spot dolphins and seals.

“It was a great way to spend a drizzly afternoon in Cape Town. The water was beautiful & the weather changed every 5 minutes.”

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14.Kayak to the penguins in Simons Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $54

Kayak in Simon’s Town from Long Beach for penguins and dolphins, with gear included. Guided loop past Boulders and Windmill Beach.

“Some of us struggled keeping direction (-:. It made for lots of laughter. Jennifer and Jason were super! Great to get close to nature and seeing the wonderful creation of God.”

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15.Kosi Bay Mouth Experience – Kayaking, Snorkeling, Fish Trap Tour and Fish braai

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · from $71

Paddle and snorkel Kosi Bay Mouth, tour traditional Thonga fish traps, then enjoy a fish braai and a palm wine taster on a 6-hour trip.

“Our family of 5 had lots of fun during the guided kayak tour and received interesting info on the river, lakes and the traditional fish traps. We enjoyed a wonderful fish braai at noon and afterwards we went for snorkling. Rick and Simon are Read more”

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