Estuary Escapades

Paddling Stories & Dolphin Watching Adventure

Estuary Escapades

Paddling Stories & Dolphin Watching Adventure

Quick details

Tour length and difficulty: Easy paddling experience over 5km

We supply: Kayaks, paddles, life jackets, dolphin watch app, intro to kayaking tutorial, safety briefing and professional guide/s.

Meeting point: Meet us at Mandurah Bridge Carpark (just off the roundabout at Pinjarra and Old Coast Roads, Mandurah) The tour ends at the same point after approximately 3 hours.

Time: 8.15am start, 11.30am finish approx (Please allow extra time if possible)

Availability: Our Estuary Escapades: Paddling Stories & Dolphin Watching Adventure is available on selected dates with minimum of 2 people. Other dates are available on request and we can do group bookings.

BOOK NOW!

BOOK NOW!

20231014_113759

BOOK NOW!

20231014_113759

BOOK NOW!

Tour Overview

Join us on an unforgettable journey exploring the wonders of Mandurah's waterways with our 'Estuary Escapades: Paddling Stories & Dolphin Watching Adventure' kayaking tour.

As your Eco Certified Kayaking Guide and a trained Dolphin Watch volunteer, Chelle Fisher invites you to be part of a unique adventure that combines exploration with citizen science. This is your special invitation to participate in some dolphin watching as part of the Mandurah Dolphin Watch Project.

We'll paddle under the Mandurah Bridge and along the eastern foreshore, passing by the new estuary pool, Kwillena Gabi. Throughout the tour, you'll learn how to identify individual dolphins that inhabit Mandurah's waterways, and how to report your sightings, contributing to research on the Mandurah dolphin population. All participants will receive a free copy of the latest finn guide to help identify our local dolphins.

As we navigate Mandjar Bay to Stingray Point, we'll keep an eye out for the breathtaking beauty of ospreys, the elegance of black swans, and cheeky cormorants dining on the iconic Blue Manna Crab. We'll pause to admire the majestic Moreton Bay Fig Tree at Stingray Point and look out for Pelican Percy at Stingray Wharf, often seen mingling with local fishermen.

Our adventure continues through Mandurah's Venetian Canals, marveling at the grandeur of million-dollar homes lining the water's edge. At Dolphin Quay, we make a short pitstop at Keith Holmes Reserve and take a brief walk to Lily Paris, a French Cafe & Patisserie specializing in beautiful macarons, meringues & croissants. Enjoy a delightful bite and drink, rejuvenating ourselves before resuming our kayaking expedition.

On the return paddle, we pass the poignant Mandurah War Memorial, paying our respects to its significance. The journey along the western foreshore allows us to soak in the scenic vistas and reflect on the captivating stories and sights encountered throughout our adventure.

Join us on this enriching kayak tour, where each stroke of the paddle unveils a tapestry of history, local charm, natural beauty, and the chance to contribute to important dolphin conservation efforts in Mandurah's stunning waterways.

Tour Inclusions

  • A 3hr guided kayaking tour with a certified Eco Guide.

  • All kayaking equipment is provided including: kayak, paddle, safety gear and waterproof storage bag for your belongings.

  • Full safety brief and basic paddling instructions before the tour commences.

  • Carefully curated stories of history, local charm and natural beauty.

  • Up close encounters with Mandurah's playful Bottlenose Dolphins and local birdlife.

  • Opportunity to be a Citizen Scientist & Dolphin Watcher

  • A copy of the Mandurah Dolphin FinBook to remember your contribution to Mandurah.

  • Morning pitstop of coffee/tea and cake

  • Photos of your adventure, which will be shared via a link to a Google Drive file. Some may be posted on our socials.

What to Bring

  • Waterproof walking shoes, and weather appropriate clothing/protection.

  • Bottle of Water.

  • Extra cash in case you wish to purchase more at the cafe.

  • Waterproof bag is handy to hold your items but not essential. We provide a small bag for keys/phone etc

  • Change of clothing and towel for after the paddling experience, it is likely you will get a little wet.

  • An adventurous mind.

Tour Location

Please allow plenty of travel time getting to your destination. We will meet at the Mandurah Bridge Carpark, just off the roundabout at Pinjarra and Old Coast Roads.

Additional Information

Can you guarantee we will see dolphins.

It is important to note that Mandurah’s dolphins are wild creatures viewed in their natural environment therefore while sighting them is likely, it may not occur on every kayaking tour. As we survey the local waters, all efforts become part of a crucial endeavor to support and protect the resident dolphin population whether we see dolphins or not, therefore refunds will not be offered in the case of not seeing any. Negative feedback in relation to this will also not be accepted. For guaranteed dolphin sightings we recommend jumping on board one of the many Dolphin Cruises with a Dolphin Guarantee policy.

Paddle length & difficulty

This is a fairly gentle paddling experience over 5kms, however its important to note that at times the current can be a little strong and may need a little bit of muscle to move in the direction we need to travel.

No paddling experience is needed. We provide you a safety briefing and show you how to paddle our very stable sit-on top kayaks.

Toilet & Parking facilities

Toilets are available at the start, middle and end of the paddling experience.

Parking is available at the Mandurah Bridge Carpark. I have personally never had issues here but a reminder to never leave valuables in your car.

Is the tour child friendly

Children under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age for participation in a kayak tour is 8 years old. Younger can possibly be catered for in the double kayaks but please get in contact first.

Do the kayaks have weight limits?

Yes. Your safety is important to us therefore we must stick within our equipment carrying capabilities.

Our single Dream Kayaks have a weight limit of 130kg

Our double Dream Kayaks have a weight limit of 210kg

Our kids kayaks have a weight limit of 55kg (ages 8-12)

Are Double Kayaks easy to navigate?

Double kayaks can be a great way to share the paddling experience with a friend or family member. However, it is important to keep in mind that paddling a double kayak can be more challenging than a single kayak. When choosing a double kayak it's important to consider that it requires good coordination and communication between both paddlers to ensure smooth and efficient movement. If you and your partner are new to kayaking, a double kayak might be more difficult to handle, so it can be beneficial if at least one of you has some paddling experience. Double kayaks also require more effort, especially in windy or strong current conditions, so ensure both paddlers are physically prepared for the challenge. Maintaining balance and synchronizing your strokes are crucial for a stable and enjoyable ride. We provide a short video with tips for paddling a double kayak successfully prior to the tour to help you get the most out of your experience.

What happens if it is too windy?

If we need to cancel due to weather conditions (too windy), alternative dates will be offered. If you purchased your tour directly through Down Under Discoveries and there is no suitable alternative date available for a cancelled tour, we are more than happy to arrange a refund for you.

Terms & Conditions

A friendly reminder to please make sure you have read the Terms & Conditions prior to booking, especially in regards to my Cancellation Policy. These policies are made for a reason and negative feedback in regards to a dispute with my policies will not be tolerated.