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Noosa Kayak & Paddle Tours

3 options · from $59 AUD

Noosa kayak and paddle tours get you onto the water that makes this town worth the hype: glassy river, protected flat water around Noosa Heads, and the open ocean off Double Island Point where dolphins turn up to inspect the kayaks. No paddling experience needed, every option is guided and gear is included.

Three very different days are on offer. Pick by how much time you've got, how far you want to go, and whether you want wildlife, wilderness or a cheap couple of hours on a board.

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What paddling in Noosa is actually like

The Noosa Everglades sit at the top of the Noosa River system in the Great Sandy National Park, one of the few everglades systems on the planet. The water is tea-coloured and dead still, which is why the Upper Noosa River is called the River of Mirrors: paddle in the morning and the reflection is so clean you lose track of which way is up. Guided kayak days cross Lake Cootharaba, pass the Kinaba Information Centre and head up into the everglades, with a swim and lunch along the way.

The ocean kayak day is a different trip. You cross to Noosa North Shore on the cable ferry, drive Teewah Beach by 4X4 through the Great Sandy National Park, then paddle the clear water of Double Island Point and Honeymoon Bay. The headland is busy with bottlenose dolphins, turtles, rays, and humpback whales in migration season.

The SUP tour stays close to town on the calm, shallow water of Noosa Heads: an introductory lesson first, then a paddle through a mangrove tunnel with birds and stingrays for company.

Which Noosa kayak tour is right for you

Noosa Everglades Kayak Adventure (Guided), from $189. A full day with an experienced guide, kayaking and safety equipment, a hearty lunch and a dip in the river. The wilderness pick for anyone who wants the River of Mirrors photo and a proper paddle. Return transfers from Noosa are booked separately with the operator.

Double Island Point Dolphin Kayak & Beach 4WD Tour, from $159. Six hours combining the 4X4 beach drive with a guided ocean paddle at Double Island Point, with national park and ferry fees, equipment, light snacks and water included. Groups run up to 25. The wildlife pick, with Noosa's famous beach-driving stretch thrown in.

Noosa Stand Up Paddle & Mangrove Tunnel Tour (Fully Guided), from $59. Two hours, fully guided, with the SUP lesson, equipment, local commentary and swimming included. Food isn't. The short one, and the gentlest option if you've never stood on a board.

Practical tips for kayaking in Noosa

Mornings are best: still water and mirror reflections on the river, lighter wind on the ocean. Whales pass the Sunshine Coast roughly June to November, so the Double Island Point paddle peaks in winter and spring. Bring a hat that stays on, reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, a change of clothes and a water bottle; the SUP operator asks for exactly that list. Wear clothes you're happy to get wet and shoes that handle sand and water. All three tours depart from Noosa Heads.

Kayak & paddle tours: your questions

Do I need kayaking experience for the Noosa Everglades?

No. The guided Everglades day from $189 runs on flat, sheltered water with an experienced guide and all kayaking and safety equipment supplied. A reasonable level of fitness helps, as it's a full day of paddling with breaks for lunch and a swim.

Will I actually see dolphins on the ocean kayak tour?

Double Island Point is known for its bottlenose dolphins and the tour is built around them, but wildlife is never guaranteed. Turtles, rays and seabirds are regular company, and humpback whales pass during the June to November migration.

Which Noosa paddle tour is best for beginners?

The stand up paddle and mangrove tunnel tour from $59. It starts with a lesson on protected, shallow water and runs two hours, so it suits anyone who has never paddled. The ocean kayak is still beginner-friendly but involves open water and a longer day.

How do I get to the Noosa Everglades?

Via Lake Cootharaba, north of Noosa in the Great Sandy National Park. The guided kayak day departs from Noosa Heads; return transfers from Noosa are available through the operator at an extra cost, or you can make your own way.

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