A Sydney sunrise kayak had been on my Sydney bucket list for ages especially after living in Kirribilli for years where I’d see them paddle off every morning. After finally doing the sunrise kayak tour with Sydney Kayak Experience, I genuinely wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did.
In this review, I’ll explain why I picked this tour over other kayaking options in Sydney, what the morning actually looks like, whether it’s suitable for beginners, what to bring, how wet you get and whether waking up before 5am is actually worth it.
If you’re thinking about booking it, I’ve also got 20% off for Londoner In Sydney readers. Book the Sydney sunrise kayak here and use the code ANNIE20 at checkout.
Why I picked Sydney Kayak Experience
There are a few sunrise kayak tours around Sydney, including options that leave from the Eastern Suburbs, but personally I wanted to be right in Sydney Harbour.
If you’re getting up that early to go kayaking in Sydney, I think you want the proper harbour experience. I wanted to paddle underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge and get those views across to the Sydney Opera House while the city was waking up.
That’s what made the Sydney Kayak Experience location in Kirribilli stand out. The sunrise session starts from Milson Park, so you’re already close to the Harbour Bridge rather than spending most of your time kayaking towards it.
The route takes you past Kirribilli House, across for views of the Opera House and then underneath the harbour bridge. It gives you a completely different perspective of two of Sydney’s most iconic landmarks from water level.
The Sydney Opera House itself is World Heritage-listed and welcomes more than 10.9 million visitors a year, so seeing it from a kayak with hardly anyone else around felt surprisingly special.
I also loved the illuminated kayaks. We set off while it was still dark, and the lights underneath them looked amazing against the water. They made for unique video footage, but also made me feel more comfortable because you could clearly see the other paddlers around you.
I’ve done a lot of paid experiences around the country, and this is easily one I’d add to my list of the best tours in Australia, mainly because it gives you such a different view of a city you might think you already know.
What happens on the morning of the Sydney sunrise kayak tour?
We did the tour during the colder months, when sunrise is later than in summer. We got up at 4:30am and pre-booked an Uber to get us to Milson Park in Kirribilli, New South Wales, for around 5:30am.
One thing I really want to stress is: do not be late.
Your exact meeting time depends on the time of year and should be in your booking confirmation. On our tour, they were very strict that nobody could arrive after 5:45am. Once the safety briefing is done and the group is heading onto the water, they can’t hold everyone up.
The tour starts with getting fitted for your kayak and life jacket, followed by a safety briefing and basic paddling instruction. All kayaking and safety gear is included, so you don’t need your own paddle or equipment.
The whole experience is around 2 hours, with loads of pauses to take in the views and get amazing photos.
Our Sydney Kayak Experience team was brilliant. The tour guides on our morning were from the UK, Ireland and Denmark, and everyone was super helpful and relaxed.
I was worried I’d be rubbish in a single kayak
This was probably my biggest concern.
The team recommended we use single kayaks rather than a double, and I immediately wondered whether I’d spend the entire sunrise kayak tour zig-zagging across Sydney Harbour while everyone waited for me.
That didn’t happen at all.
The single kayaks are really stable and the pace is incredibly chilled. You’re not racing anywhere, and you don’t need to be an experienced paddler. The experienced guides give you enough instruction to get comfortable before you head off, and once we were moving, it was surprisingly easy.
I also worried the harbour would be choppy and that I’d get soaked. Again, not the case. The water during our sunrise session was incredibly calm.
Sydney Kayak Experience says the sunrise paddle is suitable for beginners and all fitness levels, with children aged 12 and over welcome as well. From my experience, that felt accurate.
We were also told sunrise is generally a better option for beginners than sunset because there tends to be less activity on the harbour and calmer conditions early in the morning. Their own information recommends the sunset and city lights sessions more towards experienced paddlers.
Weather and water conditions can change, but if choppy water is the thing putting you off, I’d choose sunrise.
The best part was how much time there was for photos
What surprised me most was how good this tour was for actually making memories of Sydney.
You’ve got the Opera House in one direction, the Sydney Harbour Bridge towering over you, the Kirribilli foreshore and the city lights disappearing as the sun starts to come up.
Because the pace is so slow, you have time to stop and enjoy the stunning views without trying to keep up with the group.
The guides also take photos and videos of you throughout the morning. On our tour, they were using iPhones and sending content straight to people while we were having breakfast afterwards, which I thought was such a nice touch.
Sydney Kayak Experience includes complimentary photos as part of the tour, so you don’t have to rely entirely on your own phone for stunning photos and great pictures.
Some of my favourite footage was from before sunrise, when the luminous kayaks were glowing on the dark water beneath the Harbour Bridge. If you make Instagram or TikTok content, this is honestly one of the best Sydney experiences I’ve done for getting something that looks different.
If you’re planning a bigger trip and want more ideas around the city, have a look through our Sydney guides as well.
Can you bring your iPhone on the kayak?
Yes. I took my iPhone and felt completely comfortable bringing it.
There are calm points during the paddle when it’s easy to get your phone out and take photos or video. I’d definitely bring something small to wipe the camera lens though, because even a tiny splash can ruin otherwise amazing photos.
I probably wouldn’t take an expensive mirrorless or DSLR camera unless you’re very confident with it around water. For me the iPhone was more than enough, especially because the team is also taking photos for you.
This isn’t really a marine life tour, so I wouldn’t book it expecting wildlife spotting. The attraction is the harbour itself: the architecture, skyline, changing light and the unique perspective you get from sitting at water level.
What should you wear?
You are going to get at least a little wet, so bring clothes to change into afterwards.
Sydney Kayak Experience recommends clothes and shoes you don’t mind getting wet. Their advice is that a long sleeved rashie works well, along with board shorts, and they specifically recommend spare shoes.
I’d bring:
- Clothes you’re happy to get splashed
- A change of clothes and shoes
- A light layer for early mornings
- A long sleeved rashie in warmer weather
- Board shorts or similar quick-drying bottoms
- Water
- Sunglasses and a hat
- A small cloth for your phone or camera lens
Avoid heavy cotton if you can, especially in cooler weather, because once it gets wet it stays wet.
I didn’t actually feel that cold while kayaking, even though we did it in winter. It was afterwards that I noticed my toes and legs were cold, so dry clothes and shoes made a big difference.
Breakfast afterwards is included
Another reason I liked this tour is that it doesn’t just end the second you get out of the kayak.
The sunrise tour currently includes a $20 breakfast and coffee credit at Flying Bear Cafe, right by the launch area. After being awake since 4:30am and spending the morning on Sydney Harbour, sitting down with a coffee and breakfast felt like the perfect finish.
It makes the whole thing feel more like a complete experience.
If you’re visiting Sydney, I’d keep the rest of your morning relatively open. You’re already in Kirribilli, so you could walk around the harbour afterwards, head towards Luna Park or cross the Harbour Bridge into the city.
Sunrise vs sunset kayaking in Sydney
I’d choose sunrise again.
Yes, early mornings are painful when the alarm goes off, but the payoff is having Sydney Harbour when it feels unusually quiet.
At sunrise, the water was calm, there was far less happening around us and we could take our time. Watching the city go from darkness and glowing city lights to soft morning sun was a beautiful start to the day.
The company also runs sunset and city lights tours, with evening sessions launching from the Lavender Bay boat ramp. Those could be a good option if there’s absolutely no chance you’re getting up before dawn, but the team told us the harbour can be busier and more choppy later in the day.
If this is your first time kayaking, sunrise would be my pick.
How big are the groups?
We only had nine people on our tour, which felt ideal.
We were told some summer sessions can get much busier, with around 30 people on certain days. If you want a quieter experience, it may be worth looking at the colder months or checking with the Sydney Kayak Experience team before booking.
I loved having a smaller group. It meant plenty of room on the water and time for individual photos.
What to know before you book
Book in advance if you have a specific date in mind, particularly if you’re visiting Sydney during a busy period.
The tour is for ages 12+ and is designed for beginners as well as experienced paddlers. Single and double kayaks are available, although a double kayak must have two people booked into it.
Check the current start time carefully because it changes with daylight hours. Winter means a later start than summer, so don’t assume every sunrise kayak begins at 5am or 5:30am.
And again: be early. Once the group has launched, you’ve missed it.
Is Sydney Kayak Experience worth it?
Absolutely.
I’ve lived in Sydney for years and seen the harbour from just about every obvious angle, but kayaking underneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge at sunrise gave me a completely different appreciation for it.
It’s fun without feeling strenuous, adventurous without being intimidating, and you get some genuinely amazing photos at the end of it.
What I liked most was that I never felt rushed. I had been worrying about my kayaking ability, getting wet, keeping everyone waiting and whether the water would be rough. None of those things ended up being an issue.
Instead, it was two hours of relaxed paddling, stunning views and one of those rare Sydney experiences where the reality was actually better than I expected.
I’d highly recommend it for couples, friends, solo travellers or anyone visiting Sydney who wants a unique perspective of the city. It would also make a brilliant date idea, so if you’re looking for more inspiration have a look at our guide to fun date ideas in Sydney.
For me, the combination of paddling beneath the Harbour Bridge, watching the sunrise by the Opera House, the glowing kayaks, the great staff and breakfast afterwards made it an unforgettable experience.
If you want to try it yourself, book the Sydney Kayak Experience sunrise tour here and use our code ANNIE20 for 20% off your booking.
I had wanted to do this adventure for ages. Now that I finally have, it’s easily one of the Sydney tours I’d do again.
