Manly Kayak Centre Three Beaches Kayak Tour - 4 hours

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A 4-hour guided kayak tour through Manly's North Harbour, paddling past secluded beaches, sandstone cliffs and hidden coves to Reef Beach, Quarantine Beach and Store Beach, with a bushwalk to Dobroyd Head Lookout and a picnic lunch.

Days

4 hours

Age

12 and over; under 18s with a parent

Group size

Guided group, minimum 4

Start / finish

Manly Wharf / Manly Wharf

Return

See itinerary for details

Transport

Kayak, with a local guide, from Manly Wharf

Meals

Picnic lunch with refreshments

Route

Map of Manly Kayak Centre Three Beaches Kayak Tour - 4 hours

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Included experiences

North Harbour — guided kayak paddle
Reef Beach, Quarantine Beach and Store Beach — swim stops
Dobroyd Head Lookout — bushwalk and harbour views
Q Station — museum and maritime history
Wildlife spotting — dolphins, sea turtles and rays

Manly Kayak Centre Three Beaches Kayak Tour - 4 hours

Pictures / Videos

Itinerary

Map

MEET YOUR GUIDE AT MANLY WHARF

Your tour starts on the East Pier of Manly Wharf, beside Felons Brewing Co., where the ferry from Circular Quay pulls in after about 30 minutes across the harbour. Your guide fits you with a kayak and safety gear, runs a full safety briefing and teaches you the paddle strokes you need. Then you follow them out past the moored yachts and the ferries across Manly Cove, which Governor Arthur Phillip named in 1788 after the confident, "manly" bearing of the Aboriginal men he met on its shore. Your guide may change the route on the day to suit the wind and water.

REEF BEACH AND DOBROYD HEAD

The first landing is Reef Beach, a small sandy beach on the 10 km Manly Scenic Walkway that runs from the Spit Bridge to Manly. Stay for a swim, or take the short, steep bushwalk up through Dobroyd Head in Sydney Harbour National Park. At Arabanoo Lookout the view takes in the whole of North Harbour, Manly, the sandstone gateway of Sydney Heads and the Pacific beyond. The lookout is named after Arabanoo, a local Aboriginal man captured at Manly Cove on Phillip's orders in 1788, who died of smallpox the next year. Wear shoes you can walk in.

QUARANTINE BEACH AND Q STATION

Next you paddle across to Quarantine Beach and moor the kayaks below the old Quarantine Station on North Head, now called Q Station. From 1828 to 1984, people arriving by ship with suspected smallpox, plague or flu were held here, sometimes for weeks. Your entry to the museum is included, and you'll hear stories about the people held here and the staff who looked after them. Look for the names, dates and ship names they carved into the sandstone near the shore, some of them over 150 years old.

LUNCH AT STORE BEACH AND THE PADDLE HOME

The final leg brings you to Store Beach, which you can only reach by water. It's usually here, on the sand, that you sit down to your picnic lunch and refreshments. The bush behind the beach shelters Manly's little penguins, the only mainland breeding colony in New South Wales. On the water, North Harbour often turns up dolphins, sea turtles, rays and seabirds, so keep watching on the way back. After lunch it's an easy paddle home across Manly Cove to the wharf, where the tour finishes about four hours after it began.

Map

Good to know

Meeting point: Manly Kayak Centre / Manly Lifestyle Club at Manly Wharf, beside Felons Brewing Co.
Departure time: Tours run on Saturdays and Sundays.
Minimum age: 12 years. Under 18s must be with a parent or guardian.
Fitness: Everyone must be able to swim 150 m unassisted, without a life jacket. Maximum participant weight is 120 kg.
Please note: Tours need a minimum of four participants. Routes may change on the day depending on weather, water and safety conditions. Tours run in most weather unless cancelled for safety; if your tour is cancelled for weather or unsafe conditions, it will be rescheduled.

What to bring

Paddling clothes — swimwear and a rash shirt are recommended, as you may get wet
Water shoes or thongs for the short walk
Sun protection, sunscreen and hat
Thermal top and windbreaker on cooler days
Dry change of clothes for after the paddle
Drinking water

What is included

Four hours' kayak use and all safety equipment
Full safety briefing and paddling instruction
Experienced local guide
Walk to Dobroyd Head
Picnic lunch with refreshments
Entry to the Q Station museum

FAQ

Preparing for the trip

Do I need travel insurance?

Insurance is important in protecting visitors from loss or damange of goods, medical problems, cancelation by passengers or other casualties. Its highly recommended. Some tours on this website require you to have travel insurance. If you are Australian then it is not necessary.

Where can I get more information about this trip?

If you find that this tour page doesn't answer all your questions, then please get in contact with us! Our passionate team are always available to answer any queries you may have.

What immunisations do I need?

For the latest information on immunisations, we strongly recommend you or contact the Travellers Medical and Vaccination Centre (www.traveldoctor.com.au) to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you about appropriate inoculations.

Do I need to take any medical supplies?

It is not necessary to bring any medical supplies other than any personal items you may require. Each tour carries a first aid box, and the tour guides are all certified in First Aid.

Will I be able to use my mobile whilst on tour?

You can use your mobile while touring in Australia or New Zealand, but coverage may be limited in remote areas. For best connectivity, consider purchasing a local SIM card or an international roaming plan.

How fit do I need to be?

These tours are designed to be fun, informative and active, and can be enjoyed by anyone with a moderate degree of fitness and agility. Travellers should be comfortable with hiking or walking up to 5km each day.

What should I pack?

Depending on where in Australia or New Zealand you decide to visit, your luggage will vary. For exact information please visit the "What to bring" section of each tour page.

Private tours and families

Is it possible to travel in a private group?

If you are looking for a private tour based on one of these trips, please contact us directly and we may be able to help. Over the years we have worked with families, groups of friends, schools, clubs and charities to put together the perfect trip.

Booking the trip

Do I have to book this tour online?

Definitely not. Our website is designed to make is easy and convenient for you to schedule your tour. However we understand sometimes its nice to talk to someone directly. So by all means give us a call and we can organise your trip over the phone.

If I book more than one tour can I get a discount?

Absolutely! If you are booking multiple tours then we may be able to offer you a discount. Send us an email at info@lostinaustralia.org and let us know what you thinking of doing and we can put together a price for you.Also, be sure to look out for monthly specials on tours. We often have some great bargains.

Does the tour price include flights?

No. Tour prices do not include any travel arrangements other than for the duration of the tour itself. If you need assistance with booking flights or buses our travel team and certainly help - Just ask!

How far in advance do I need to book my tour?

As a rule of thumb, try to book at least 2 weeks prior to departure, this will usually get you a seat on the date you want. That being said, we cannot guarantee that spaces will be available at the time of your booking so, if you can, book as soon as possible. Bookings can still be made right up until the departure date of the tour if seats are available. If you know when you'd like to travel, please contact us and we will let you know if you need to book soon or if you have time.

How do I know when a tour is available?

You can check the departure dates of tours by using our calendar on the top right hand corner of the tour page. This will tell you what days the tour departs. For availability of seats please contact us directly at info@lostinaustralia.org or call us.

If I make a deposit only, when will I need to pay the balance?

Balance on tours need to be paid at least 30 days prior to departure. Failure to do so could result is the cancellation of your seat with a fee charged. If you need more time to clear your balance then let us know ASAP and arrangements can be made.

Who travels with us

Is it ok to travel alone on one of these tours?

Plenty of travellers book these tours on their own. Solo travellers are very much welcomed and encouraged. During your outback adventure you'll meet new and interesting people and forge relationships that last a lifetime.Solo travellers will usually share a room with a travelling companion of the same sex, but even if you do get your own room you won't be charged extra. On camping tours there are generally enough tents available that you can have your own if you choose to.For more information please contact us directly.

Cost and Fees

Do I need to tip the guide?

If you had an amazing time on tour and wish to tip your guide, that is completely up to you. Tipping is not customary in Australia and is not at all expected.

Will I need additional money?

Travellers are advised to bring some cash, as ATMs and banks can be few and far between in the remote parts of the trip. It is handy to have some extra cash, as the tour does stop by local shops and cafes.

Are there any hidden fees I need to know about?

Our tour prices are completely transparent. There are no additional fees involved that are not included in the overall tour price shown. If you wish to do optional activities such as helicopter rides or wildlife safaris, then an extra cost may be needed. However, this will always be made clear at the time of your booking.

What does Paid Locally mean?

Some tours require you to pay national park fees directly, in cash, to the tour guide on the morning of departure. Rest assured this will be subtracted from the tour price when reserving your tour.

Whilst on tour

Can I book extra accommodation for the start and end of the tour?

We know our country inside and out and would be happy to give you good recommodations. Please contact us for recommendations.

Where do I meet the tour?

For pick-up times and locations, please check the "Start/Finish" section directly under the itinerary, which lists every pick-up point and its time.There is a lot of information there to help you plan your flights and arrival.Please review it carefully, as pick-ups can vary from tour to tour.

Reviews

5.0

Based on 4 reviews

Verified from

Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.

How we collect and publish reviews

Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.

Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.

Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.

(5/5)

“Lovely day on the beautiful Sydney harbour !”

A professional, beautiful day on the harbour with my daughter on a guided group trip. We kayaked around several secluded beaches and had an amazing gourmet lunch at one before a short paddle back to Manly. Thanks to Martin and Emma.

David B Verified· Travelled 1st December 2023

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(5/5)

“Great”

Interesting and fun with an awesome guide, and lunch was very good. One of the best things to do in Sydney.

Terry Verified· Travelled 16th May 2022

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(5/5)

“Great day out on the water”

An excellent way to see Manly, stopping at wonderful spots that balanced a good paddle with rests in between.

Joanne G Verified· Travelled 1st February 2022

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(5/5)

“3 beaches; great lunch; great guide - thank you Manly Kayak”

A small group made it better. Our experienced guide took safety seriously, with a motor boat escort across the bay away from the ferries. We visited the Quarantine museum, then Store Beach where a lunch with table, umbrella and cushions was set up, better than I expected.

Nigel Fenn Verified· Travelled 1st March 2021

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