Adelaide Water Sports

Adelaide water sports come down to three things: paddling the Port River mangroves or the River Torrens, learning to surf at the beaches south of the city, and getting into the water with wild dolphins off Glenelg. Most of it is a short drive from the CBD, and every trip here is guided and comes with the gear. For everything else on offer in the city, head to things to do in Adelaide.

Kayak tours in the Dolphin Sanctuary and on the River Torrens

The Port River kayak trips are the ones to pick if you want wildlife. The Dolphin Sanctuary Kayaking Eco Tour is a 3-hour guided paddle off Garden Island, in double kayaks, down 10,000-year-old mangrove creeks. Along the way you can see dolphins, migratory shorebirds and old shipwrecks, and waterproof bags are supplied for phones and cameras. It starts at the Angas Inlet Boat Club on Garden Island and is a popular choice for first-timers, since it is open to all skill levels.

The Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour covers similar water, a 30-minute trip from the Adelaide CBD. It is also a 3-hour trip and runs on selected Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and finishes back at the Garden Island boat ramp in Gillman at about 1pm. All equipment and tuition are included, and the guides look for dolphins, mangrove creeks and the wrecks in the Ships Graveyard.

For a paddle in the city itself, the Adelaide City Guided Kayak Tour is a 90-minute outing on the River Torrens that starts at Pinky Flat on War Memorial Drive. It goes past Adelaide Oval, runs in small groups, and uses single or double kayaks. Sessions are on Saturdays at 10am or 12pm, and the effort level is listed as low.

Swimming with dolphins from Glenelg

The Adelaide Swim with Wild Dolphins Cruise from Glenelg takes a 58-foot sailing catamaran out from Holdfast Shores Marina Pier at 8am on a 3.5-hour trip. When dolphins are found, guests slip into the water with snorkelling gear and a wetsuit, both supplied, and swim alongside the pod. It is a seasonal trip and is a popular choice. If you would like to see the dolphins without swimming, the Adelaide cruises page has a watching-only trip on the same boat.

Surf lessons south of Adelaide

The beginner surf lessons run at two beaches south of the city, both with Surf & Sun. The Surfing Lesson at Moana Beach is a 2-hour lesson at a beach known for smaller waves, which helps when you're still finding your feet. Lessons are at 11am and 1pm, and you meet at the Moana Surf Life Saving Club on the Esplanade.

The Surfing Lesson at Middleton Beach is also a 2-hour lesson, with sessions at 9.30am, 10am, 12.30pm and 1pm. Both lessons cover ocean awareness, surf safety and the basic technique, and the surfboard and wetsuit are included. They are subject to weather, so the lesson can move if the conditions are poor.

How to choose between Adelaide water sports

Pick by how much you want to get wet. Kayaking is the calm option, in sheltered creeks or on a city river, and needs no experience. Surf lessons are active and suit people who like learning a skill. The dolphin swim is the one to book if the animals are the point, though it's a morning boat trip as well as a swim.

For time on the water without getting in, boat trips cover the Port River, Glenelg and the Coorong. If the weather turns, Adelaide rainy day ideas has indoor options for the same day.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need experience for kayaking in Adelaide?

No. The Dolphin Sanctuary Kayaking Eco Tour is open to all skill levels, and the Adelaide City Guided Kayak Tour on the River Torrens lists its fitness and intensity levels as low.

Where do the dolphin kayak tours leave from?

The Dolphin Sanctuary Kayaking Eco Tour starts at the Angas Inlet Boat Club on Garden Island, Port Adelaide. The Dolphin Sanctuary and Ships Graveyard Kayak Tour starts from the Garden Island boat ramp in Gillman.

How old do you have to be to swim with dolphins in Adelaide?

Children must be 9 or older to swim on the Adelaide Swim with Wild Dolphins Cruise from Glenelg. There is no age limit for watching from the boat.

Is there an age limit for the Dolphin Sanctuary kayak tours?

Participants on the Dolphin Sanctuary Kayaking Eco Tour must be at least 10 and fit enough for a brisk 15-minute walk. The Ships Graveyard kayak tour has a child ticket for ages 8 to 15.

What do you need to bring to an Adelaide surf lesson?

Bring bathers, sunscreen and a towel. The surfboard and wetsuit are supplied for the Surfing Lesson at Moana Beach and the Surfing Lesson at Middleton Beach.

Do Adelaide surf lessons run every day?

Yes, the Moana Beach and Middleton Beach lessons are available every day except Christmas Day and New Year's Day, subject to weather.

Adelaide water sports give you a calm paddle, a first wave or a swim beside wild dolphins, all guided and all with the gear provided. Book a lesson, a paddle or a swim from the list above.