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Bruny Island Kayak Adventure: Tasmania’s Wild Coast

Some places just feel different. At Tasmania’s southern edge, everything intensifies—the coastline gets more dramatic, the wildlife gets rarer, the food tastes better. We’ll spend five days paddling through this raw corner of Australia, with each day bringing a new section of Bruny Island’s coast to explore. Between our morning launches and evening feasts at the lodge, we’ll pass the towering cliffs of Adventure Bay, float beneath sea eagles, and maybe spot a white wallaby (yes, they exist!). Every corner of Bruny has a surprise waiting. All you have to do is paddle toward it.

Adventure highlights

  • Edge of Tasmania
    Kayak some of Australia’s southernmost waters, where coastal cliffs meet Antarctic swells
  • Where the wild things are
    Spot rare white wallabies and soaring sea eagles in their untouched habitat
  • Tasmanian table
    End each paddling day with fresh oysters and local wines at a remote lodge

Itinerary

Come discover Tasmania’s wild edge! Over five days, we'll follow two experienced guides along a new stretch of coastline around Bruny Island each day—from the sheltered waters of D'Entrecasteaux Channel to the dramatic cliffs of Adventure Bay where the Southern Ocean rolls in. Our wilderness lodge on Bruny Island will be our home for three nights, with hot showers, comfy beds, and common areas made for hanging out after paddling. From hearty breakfasts and picnic lunches at hidden beaches to evening feasts with fresh oysters and local wines, all meals are included except for our first night in Hobart. Kayaking gear is provided too, including dry bags and waterproof jackets. All you have to do is show up ready to explore.

  • The following itinerary serves as a general guide. Due to the unique nature of this area and changing weather conditions, there is no fixed route or schedule. Please note that our day-to-day activities will be determined by the weather, logistical conditions and group preferences. The listed paddling distances should be seen as an approximate guide only.

  • Welcome to Hobart! Make your way to the hotel and check in from 3pm. From your centrally located hotel, you can explore galleries, cafes, restaurants, and wine bars. If you want to catch some fresh air, consider heading up to Kunanyi/Mount Wellington for spectacular vistas over Greater Hobart, Bruny Island, and down towards the South West Wilderness area.

    Accommodation: Vibe Hotel Hobart or similar

    Dock in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, with Mount Wellington in the background
  • Start your day with an early breakfast at the hotel. Then, the whole group will be picked up and we’ll drive to the paddle launch location. All paddlers will be allocated a small dry bag to carry essentials such as a camera, spare clothing layer, and water bottle. The rest of our luggage will be transported by vehicle to Bruny Island.

    After a safety briefing and gear allocation, we launch the kayaks and begin our adventure by paddling across the sheltered waters of D’Entrecastaux Channel to Bruny Island. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch on one of the many secluded coves and take in the beauty of our first island stop. We then transfer to our lodge accommodation, our base for the next three nights. After settling into the lodge and maybe a short hike, we enjoy a celebratory beverage followed by a delicious dinner in our private coastal retreat.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Paddling: 8-10 km / 5-6 miles
    Accommodation: Bruny Island Lodge

    Paddling near the rocky formations of Bruny Island
  • We begin the day with a hearty breakfast prepared by the guides. Then, we transfer a short distance to begin the day’s kayaking. We’ll paddle the edge of the Labilladierre Peninsula and explore the pristine coastline until we arrive on the sandy beaches on the edge of the Southern Ocean. Here we can stretch our legs and enjoy a short stroll to look south to the ocean stretching to Antarctica or, if the weather is warm, maybe enjoy a refreshing dip before our paddle home.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Paddling: 16-18 km / 10-12 miles
    Accommodation: Bruny Island Lodge

    Aerial shot of kayaks near a sandy beach near Bruny Island
  • We load our kayaks and head a short distance to the edge of the tranquil Cloudy Bay Lagoon. We’ll spend the day exploring the area and paddle up Saintys Creek, a beautiful winding waterway on the north-east side of the lagoon. Once again, for the adventurous, a refreshing dip awaits or maybe a short stroll to take in this remote piece of Tasmania.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
    Paddling: approx. 14 km / 9 miles
    Accommodation: Bruny Island Lodge

    Pelicans and oystercatchers foraging at Cloudy Bay Lagoon on Bruny Island, Tasmania
  • We’ll spend our last day exploring stunning Adventure Bay, a large east-facing bay on South Bruny and our final paddling destination for the trip. Launching from a sheltered beach, we’ll paddle beneath the towering cliffs of the Fluted Cape and spot birdlife such as terns, gannets and eagles.

    After lunch, we take a short hike to the top of Fluted Cape to peer out across the Tasman Sea. We’ll finish paddling by mid-afternoon and drive north to the ferry terminal for our transfer back to the mainland. While driving, we’ll keep an eye out for the very unusual Bruny
    Island white wallaby! The trip ends with a transfer to Hobart and your accommodation (not included). We’ll arrive in Hobart at approximately 5:30pm.

    Meals: Breakfast and lunch
    Paddling: approx. 8 km / 5 miles

    Kayaks near the cliffs of Bruny Island
Adventure brochure
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If you have questions or need help with planning a trip, schedule a call with one of our adventure experts.

Meet your guide

Southern Sea Ventures
5.00
Southern Sea Ventures
Southern Sea Ventures began conducting sea kayak trips in 1988. The founder and fellow adventurer, Al Bakker, set out to discover new and untouched destinations best explored by sea kayak. The company’s guides, both new and existing, have many decades of experience leading sea kayak trips all over the world. Southern Sea Ventures work with a select group of partners to provide local expertise in culture, language and history of the regions they paddle through.

Accommodation and food

5.00(4 reviews)
A
Astrid
Bruny Island magic

This tour gave us so much more than we expected. SSV crew made sure everyone in the group was happy and confident. With such a huge amount of knowledge and skills Dan guided us through all types of paddling conditions so everyone enjoyed the experience and went home with many stories to tell. Along with Toby and Ben, the SSV crew also served us amazing food each day. We couldn’t have asked for more. Loved it! Thank you Toby, Dan and Ben for looking after us so well.

D
Debra M
Fantastic

I recently completed the 4 day Bruny Island paddle. Wow, it was so much more than I expected. From start to finish it was a fun time. We could not fault it in any way….the kayaking was great, the lodge was great, the company was great, the food was amazing and Toby, Dan & Elijah looked after us extremely well. Would not hesitate in recommending this trip and Southern Sea Ventures.

S
Scott V
Great trip

We went on the Bruny island trip with Toby last year, great guide, very experienced and looked out for all members of the group. Food and accomodation was amazing, focussing on fresh local products. Can’t recommend SSV enough, we’re now planning for the next trip.

Show all reviews
5.00(4 reviews)
A
Astrid
Bruny Island magic

This tour gave us so much more than we expected. SSV crew made sure everyone in the group was happy and confident. With such a huge amount of knowledge and skills Dan guided us through all types of paddling conditions so everyone enjoyed the experience and went home with many stories to tell. Along with Toby and Ben, the SSV crew also served us amazing food each day. We couldn’t have asked for more. Loved it! Thank you Toby, Dan and Ben for looking after us so well.

D
Debra M
Fantastic

I recently completed the 4 day Bruny Island paddle. Wow, it was so much more than I expected. From start to finish it was a fun time. We could not fault it in any way….the kayaking was great, the lodge was great, the company was great, the food was amazing and Toby, Dan & Elijah looked after us extremely well. Would not hesitate in recommending this trip and Southern Sea Ventures.

S
Scott V
Great trip

We went on the Bruny island trip with Toby last year, great guide, very experienced and looked out for all members of the group. Food and accomodation was amazing, focussing on fresh local products. Can’t recommend SSV enough, we’re now planning for the next trip.

C
CH
Great paddling adventure

I’ve just completed the Bruny Island paddle in Jan 22 and it was fantastic. There was a great variety of paddling experiences, Tasman Sea and caves, lagoon, and a creek which made it really interesting. Our two guides Dan and Elijah were very experienced kayakers and great cooks as well!
I’d definitely recommend this trip.

Things to know

  • Included:

      • Two experienced sea kayak guides with extensive knowledge of the area
      • 5-day Bruny Island kayak tour
      • Hotel accommodation for one night in Hobart (twin share)
      • Lodge accommodation for three nights in Bruny Island (twin share)
      • All meals from breakfast on Day 2 to lunch on Day 5
      • A glass of wine, beer or cider with dinner
      • Ferry transfer from Bruny Island to Hobart
      • Double expedition kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and spray skirts
      • One 20L dry bag
      • A paddling cag (waterproof jacket)
      • Pogies (paddling mittens)
      • Comprehensive first aid kit and emergency safety equipment

    Add-ons:

      • Single supplement

    Not included:

      • Flights to Tasmania
      • Airport transfers
      • Meals in Hobart
      • Accommodation on Day 5
      • Guide gratuities — optional
      • Travel and medical insurance — optional
  • For this Bruny Island kayak tour, you’ll need a solid fitness level and a sense of adventure. Sea kayaking is an activity that any reasonably fit person can participate in and it could be compared to brisk walking or cycling. While previous kayaking experience is not necessary, you should be confident in swimming. The degree of difficulty of the trip will depend on the weather we encounter, but you can expect to kayak from 8 to 18 km (5 to 11 miles) daily for five consecutive days.

    To get the most out of your Bruny Island kayak tour, consider starting some regular exercise like brisk walking, cycling, or swimming well before the trip. If you’re new to paddling, consider taking some lessons beforehand to help you feel more comfortable on the water. The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy paddling.

  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

    Essentials

      • Lightweight thermal long sleeve top for paddling
      • Lightweight thermal long underwear for paddling
      • Lightweight fleece for paddling
      • Quick drying shorts for paddling (like board shorts)
      • Long sleeved quick drying shirt for sun protection
      • Two to three lightweight quick drying t-shirts
      • Warm fleece or down jacket
      • Quality, breathable rain jacket with hood for hiking
      • Quality, breathable rain pants for walking or shorts and gaiters
      • Sleepwear
      • Shoes for paddling that can get wet (sandals, wetsuit boots, Crocs)
      • Trail walking shoes/runners or lightweight hiking boots for hiking
      • Dry shoes for the lodge
      • Comfortable casual evening wear for the lodge
      • Sunglasses with a cord to prevent them from falling into the water
      • Sunhat with a stiff brim
      • Pair of lightweight gloves.
      • Wool or fleece beanie
      • One pair of warm socks
      • One pair of hiking socks
      • Underwear for the duration of the adventure
      • Headlamp with spare batteries
      • Water bottle or hydration system (minimum 1L capacity)
      • Personal toiletries and medications
      • Beach towel
      • Sunscreen (waterproof and at least SPF 30)
      • Lip balm
      • Insect repellent

    Optional items

      • Short or long sleeved rash guard
      • Wetsuit if you’d like to try snorkeling
      • Paddling gloves (pogies are provided by your guide)
      • Swimsuit
      • Camera
      • Book
      • Small daypack
      • Swimming goggles or mask and snorkel
      • Plastic bags for wet gear
      • Wine or liquor

    Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season and activity.

  • On this Bruny Island kayak tour, you’ll use Wilderness Systems Tsunami singles and Mission Eco Niizh doubles, all sit-in with rudders. The paddles supplied are Werner Skagit at 220cm length and split for easy adjustment to suit every style. The kayaks are stable, easy to navigate, and perfect for both first-timers and experienced kayakers. Other essential gear is included as well: life jackets, a set of paddling mittens, a 20L dry bag, and a cagoule (over-the-head jacket with seals on the waist, wrist, and neck for protection from wind and rain).

    Don’t worry if you’re new to sea kayaking—Day 2 of this Bruny Island kayak tour starts with a thorough but relaxed briefing, giving you plenty of time to get comfortable with the equipment before heading out to explore.

  • Group sizes and pricing

      • For this Bruny Island kayak tour, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1. Two guides will accompany you on this adventure.
      • It takes a minimum of 6 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.

    A Bruny Island kayak tour can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 16 may be permitted to join this Bruny Island kayak tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has kayakers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • The starting point of your Bruny Island kayak tour is Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. To get there, most people fly into Hobart Airport (HBA). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach the Vibe Hotel Hobart, your accommodation for the first night of the adventure. You can check in at the hotel from 3pm.

    You will meet your guide in the morning of Day 2 at your hotel in Hobart for a group transfer to your first paddle launch location. You will receive more details about the meeting time before your departure.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

    Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

    Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • Deposits

    You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

    Cancellations

    Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

    Basic

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 30-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Super Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 30 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-29 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
Have more questions? Read our FAQ, or Talk with us
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