Kelp Reef Adventures
Kelp Reef Adventures
5
About
Kayaking is the best way to see Victoria. We specialize in safe, fun and educational kayak tours of Victoria's Harbour and waterfront. Our floating location at Fisherman's Wharf is a 10 minute walk from the cruise ship terminal and 20 minutes from downtown on the scenic boardwalk. We are the closest kayak shop to the Juan de Fuca straight, so when conditions allow, we will paddle along the coast to the kelp forests and an island the harbour seals frequent. Along the way we may see different shore birds like eagles, osprey, oystercatchers, cormorants, and the great blue heron. Starfish, jelly fish and kelp crabs are usually hiding just below the surface. Kayaking is easy and we make it easier by offering paddling jackets, gloves and a bottle of water. Plus on our kayak launch you won't even get your feet wet!
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Meets animal welfare guidelines

Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles1 209 reviews
Excellent
1 155
Very good
52
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0

QBN
Tacoma, WA145 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
Once a year we go kayaking on my partner's special day. My partner's contact recommended the guided kayak tours in Victoria. After perusing the reviews of different companies on google maps, we picked a company within walking distance and with good start times. We really enjoyed our nearly 3-hour adventure on the water. The kayak tour guide Robert was super helpful with all sorts of tips for us visitors like nearby running routes, great restaurants, and things to see. Guided was especially helpful in navigating the harbor traffic and learning interesting tidbits and stories. We'd definitely book with Kelp Reef Adventures again!
Written 4 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Amy A
Phoenix, AZ1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
Loved it. Our family of 4 (2 adults, 1 ten-year-old and 1 teenager) took a 2-hour kayak tour in the harbor. It was one of the highlights of our trip and probably the only thing we ALL enjoyed. What we loved: the gorgeous views of the city, seeing seals swimming and resting on a rocky island, learning about kelp (who knew it was such a cool plant), paddling under a building that is built over the water, seeing WWII bunkers on the shore, learning about the floating houses, and watching sea planes (and a helicopter) take off and land.
Our guide was Inez. She is a lovely human and was very knowledgeable. She even gave us great suggestions of things to do and where to eat in Victoria.
Worth every cent.
Written 15 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Allison Z
2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
Best way to end our trip, we had an amazing guide who was friendly and enthusiastic! If your considering other tours don't, this is the best.
Written 14 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TimmyLove999
Mundesley18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
A must when visiting Victoria! Mich was an amazing guide, so friendly & so knowledgeable & interesting. You don't need to have sea kayaked before as full instructions given & full & supportive support given by Mich. The 2 hour was a perfect length for us on the water & it was stunning 😎
Written 4 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hey-Bub
Massachusetts USA9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
We had a wonderful time on Kelp Reef Adventures afternoon tour. Our guide Inez is very knowledgable about the area, kayaking and marine life, and is just so pleasant to be with. The kayaks are great quality and the paddling was easy (although we had a wind-less day). We loved seeing the harbor and the seals hanging out and swimming. Getting in and out of the kayaks was super easy with their dock, and the kayak skirts kept us pretty dry. Highly recommend this tour.
Written 24 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

mal1995
Brighton, UK1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
Not enough words to say how amazing the kelp reef kayaking experience was, from guest service to knowledge these guys offered everything. I wish I could remember her name but the lady who helped organise it was flexible and very welcoming!

When we arrived both of the staff were extremely personable and made our experience top notch. Robert (our on the water tour guide) was incredible throughout the entire tour and clearly shows how much he loves his job. His facts were incredibly interesting and he made sure to get to know us both which was a class touch.

Once again I could not recommend these guys enough and if i am ever in fisherman’s wharf again I’ll be sure to bring them over a beer if I can!

They made our day great and we left an extremely grateful and happy Pam and Mal
Written 22 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tammysgeorge
Calgary, Canada2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Solo
Fantastic guided tour! Saw lots of adorable seals, beautiful kelp forests and birds. The guide was very knowledgable. I did get quite sea sick half way through but the guide was able to help me manage my way back and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Charlotte P
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
We did a 3hr 9am tour with Robert and the whole experience from start to finish was awesome! We saw an abundance of harbour seals, explored the coastline and the kelp forests. Robert was a very knowledgeable and fun guide and to also know we kayaked across a runway was pretty epic! Thanks team!
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chio P
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Couples
We loved the experience. It was the first time for us and I was really scared. However, the guide was very clear about every instruction before the tour and during. There was a moment when we had some trouble going forward due to some waves and he came back for us until we were on track again. He gave some interesting facts about the places where we were and about the Island. We enjoyed it so much and are hoping to take my family next summer when they come to visit!
Written 29 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amazing review, we really appreciate it. We’re glad you had a great time and we would love taking your family out next summer.
Written 10 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Stephanie H
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
What a great experience! My daughter and I were nervous about our first sea kayaking trip but it went wonderfully! We saw otters, harbour seals, sea stars, crabs, birds and even tasted bull kelp (quite tasty). Our guide, Mitch, was knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and kept us safe and comfortable.
Written 28 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for taking the time to review us. We’re very proud of our guides. There’s always more kelp to eat 😅.
Written 10 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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KELP REEF ADVENTURES (Victoria) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go