Kayak Tours of Santa Barbara

See the Harbor, Pier, Sea Life, and More on a Private Kayaking Tour!

West Beach Kayak Tour

(This is our most POPULAR tour!)

Tour Length: 1.5-2 hours
Distance: 2 miles approx.
Difficulty: Easy
Start Times: 11am and 1pm

Pricing: $60 per person (party of 2-4). $50 per person (party of 5 or more)

Group Kayak Tour

Tour Length: 1.5-2 hours
Distance: 2 miles approx.
Difficulty: Easy

Start Time: 1pm

Pricing: $50 per person with no minimum

American Riviera Kayak Tour

Tour Length: 2 hours
Distance: 3-4 miles approx.
Difficulty: Moderate
Start Times: 11am and 1pm

Pricing: $70 per person (party of 2-4). $60 per person (party of 5 or more)

Our guided kayak tour is the most intimate way to experience Santa Barbara’s Waterfront!

Your experienced kayak guide will launch you from the sand of Santa Barbara’s West Beach and lead you along Santa Barbara’s famous surf spot known as Sandspit. You’ll experience breathtaking 360 degree panoramic views of the Waterfront, Santa Ynez Mountains, Channel Islands, Riviera, Mesa, Harbor, Stearns Wharf, and more.

Your guide will bring you within feet of Northern Fur Seals, Pacific Harbor Seals, California Sea Lions, California Brown Pelicans, and Cormorants. Next, you’ll explore Stearns Wharf, and after passing underneath the pier you’ll enter the Santa Barbara Harbor. The harbor will lend your eyes to magnificent vessels and Santa Barbara’s world renowned fishermen fleet who call the harbor home.

During your tour your guide will provide you insights into the local landscape, topography, wildlife, historical landmarks, and more. Their extensive local knowledge will help answer any questions you may have about Santa Barbara and the surrounding areas. Our guided kayak tour is suitable for all skill levels, including first time Kayakers! Personal Flotation Devices (PFD’s) are provided to all participants. Ability to swim is required.

Cal Coast Adventures offers a variety of Kayaking Tours from leisurely to the most exciting tour in Santa Barbara. Most of our tours are private so you or your group will have your own instructor. Not only will you be using top of the line kayaks, you will also have the safety of our CPR certified Kayak Guides. Please call for details and availability.

Location

Most tours launch from our West Beach setup located directly on the sand just north of the pier. Depending on which tour you choose during the week we can launch from the Harbor or Leadbetter Beach. If you’re just looking for a rental we have an hourly kayak rental stand set up on the weekends. For weekdays we have full day rental options that include delivery to any beach in Santa Barbara, Goleta, and Carpinteria.

Interested in a group tour?

Please contact us for more information.

Guided Santa Barbara Kayak Tour Includes

– Private kayak tour with knowledgeable guide
– Best kayaks and paddles you can rent in town
– Life vest
– CPR certified and experienced guide
– Transportation if need (based on availability)

Meet Your Guide

Kayak Tour Guide and Surf Instructor Sean Lappi

Sean Lappi
Kayak and Surf Guide

Hi, my name is Sean Lappi. I’m a Pacific Northwest native who was born and raised on Bainbridge Island, Washington just outside of Seattle. My father was born and raised in Santa Cruz and introduced me to surfing at a young age, and I’ve been hooked ever since! After growing tired of the rain and the cold water, I made the move to Santa Barbara in June 2008, and have resided here ever since. My surfing and kayaking adventures have taken me throughout Washington, Oregon, California, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. When I’m not in the water surfing or teaching, I enjoy exploring our awesome local hiking trails or various National Parks throughout the U.S. I also occasionally moonlight as a student majoring in Political Science with a minor in Geography who will finally graduate in 2019 after a 10 year academic journey!