Frequently Asked Questions about our Sydney Kayak Tours
Ozpaddle Sydney has operated from Andrew Boy Charlton pool since 2008. This beautiful open air public swimming pool sits adjacent to the botanical gardens in Sydney, above the waters of Sydney harbour. Ozpaddle Sydney is located a short walk, bike ride or uber/ taxi from the city of Sydney and is accessed by walking down some stone stairs beside the Andrew Boy Charlton pool. Ozpaddle Sydney is the closest kayak location to the city centre of Sydney and also walkable from Woolloomooloo, Darlinghurst, Kings Cross, Potts Point, Surry Hills, Elizabeth bay and Rushcutters bay. It is a short drive from Bondi, Rose Bay, Bondo junction and the eastern beaches.
Yes there is metered parking right outside the Andrew Boy Charlton pool. There is also the Domain car park a 10 minute walk up the road and street parking 5-10 minutes away in Woolloomoolooo. If you are staying in Sydney city centre, you do not need to drive anywhere, you can walk to the location easily. It is also a short walk to buses and trains.
Please wear something comfortable and lightweight. I suggest swimwear as your bottoms and legs get wet but you can also wear light shorts or fitness tights. A rash vest is a good idea otherwise a t-shirt or a few layers in cooler weather is a good idea. Water shoes or thongs/sandals are good but also bare foot is ok. It is a good idea to wear a hat for sun protection and glare. Sunglasses are a good idea at sunrise on a clear morning when sun is low in your eyes.
You can bring a daypack which you can store inside my lockable facility so your valuables and belongings are safe and dry when we are out on the water. It is recommended to bring a towel and a dry set of clothes to change into after the Sydney harbour kayak tour.
Ozpaddle Sydney is the most family friendly tour in Sydney harbour. It is different to any other operator where the minimum age is 12. There is no age limit if you want to come with Sophie kayaking. Children under 8 years are free and sit with the parents or adults on their kayaks. Ozpaddle Sydney has smaller, lighter kayaks and paddles than other kayak tour companies so children as young as 8 year’s old can kayak on their own.
No, as this is a guided tour, the ability to swim is not necessary. Everyone wears a life jacket and it is unlikely for anyone to fall in the water.
The kayak tours with Ozpaddle Sydney will be the easiest experience you will have kayaking. Sophie uses Australian made kayaks and Olympic grade light carbon scoop paddles. Along with a lesson on technique, you will find you glide through the water more easily than ever before. If you do struggle, Sophie is capable of towing people and there are also places where you can get off the kayaks and walk back to base if you wanted to. Sophie has taken many people kayaking from age 8-80 years!
Sophie at Ozpaddle Sydney offers two tours for different fitness levels and abilities. Without a doubt, the half day Sydney adventure kayak tour is unbeatable. It is a 4 hour experience but it is not only kayaking. You get to rest and explore and have some home made refreshments as well as go kayaking. It encompasses so much of what Sydney life is like. You not only get to see Sydney opera house from the water but then get to escape the city and are taken to a small, secluded beach where you can enjoy a swim, a walk through the bush and some special Sydney sights with some of Sophie’s famous home made coconut macaroons to get you home.
Alternatively, if you are short on time or worried about fitness levels, you can do the Sydney highlights kayak tour or Sydney sunrise kayak tour which are 2/2.5 hour experience to Sydney opera house with wonderful views of the Sydney harbour bridge, city and opera house.
Yes. Your bottoms, legs and feet will get wet. Your upper body mainly stays dry but may get splashed if it is windy.
Part of what makes Ozpaddle Sydney’s kayak tours special are the photos Sophie takes. She takes hundreds of photos of you on the water in front of Sydney opera house, city and Sydney harbour bridge. There are action shots and posed shots to take home as valuable memories of the morning. Please check out the Facebook or Instagram pages of “Ozpaddle Sydney” to see the photos/ videos you will receive if you choose to come kayaking with Sophie.
Sophie is a sole trader and has taken every tour herself (aside from 5 days a few years back when she was hospitalized). Other kayak companies say they have small groups but you will find you are with up to 40 people! Sophie takes out a maximum of 12 people on her guided kayak tours and you may find you may be one of just a few.
Sophie is also happy to answer any questions via email sophie@ozpaddle.com.au or by phone 0430 950 333.
Sophie’s tours are very personal and unlike a tour company. She is keen that you have a very personalised, unique experience you will never forget. She will show you Sydney and kayaking like you have ever experienced it before in her own special way. Kayaking offers a different perspective to what you would get on a ferry or walking around the city. It is what makes Sydney truly special.
There is only one way to find out and that is to reach out to Sophie and book one of her kayak tours!
You can choose to go on single or double kayaks. However, Sophie recommends single kayaks as she teaches technique and you can’t learn on a double.
Sophie is the most experienced kayak instructor on Sydney harbour. She is the original kayak tour, the “OG”!!! She began her tours in 2009, a long time before any other operator started doing tours. The others started from 2016 and many have opened in the last year or two and have many guides of varying skills and experience. Sophie is a fully qualified kayak instructor and guide with Paddle Australia and has also been a member of North Bondi surf club for 25 years. She taught bronze medallion for 8 years so you are in safe hands on and off the water. Check out her bio for further information on her racing background and kayak and first aid skills.
Yes! Sophie offers both sunrise and morning tours because it is the best time of the day to go kayaking! It tends to be less windy in the mornings and definitely less boat traffic. Kayaking with Ozpaddle Sydney is a peaceful, serene experience surrounded by nature in the city. If you want to escape the city and everyone else, come kayaking with Ozpaddle Sydney and experience Sydney in a way like no other. Please make sure you have an alternative time for kayaking in case the tour has to be cancelled due to strong winds.
Yes of course! This is a wonderful experience unlike no other on so many levels. Sophie has always wanted her kayak tours to be accessible and affordable and she offers the best value for money. This is a wonderful thing to do with friends and family for an amazing experience. It can be a fun get together with friends or you can do it for a birthday, anniversary, bucks party, hens party or any special occasion where you want to bring people together. Sophie has taken many corporate groups, school groups, community groups and families as well as tourists over the years. A kayak tour is a fun way to bring people together for a memorable experience.
