Pambula River Kayak Tour near Merimbula and Eden

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Pambula River Kayak Tour

The Sapphire Coast's Crystal-Clear Kayaking Gem.
Discover the Beauty of Pambula River

Embark on a memorable kayaking journey along the tranquil Pambula River, nestled near the charming towns of Eden and Merimbula. Our expert guides will lead you on a scenic adventure, perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. As you paddle through the crystal-clear waters, keep your eyes peeled for the diverse wildlife that calls this area home. The beauty of Beowa National Park provides a stunning backdrop for your kayaking experience.

Relax & Refresh with Morning Tea

Take a break from paddling to stretch your legs, enjoy a refreshing swim, and indulge in a delightful morning tea. Our spread includes:

  • Plunger coffee, black leaf tea, peppermint tea or fruit juice
  • Local full cream milk from Tilba Dairy
  • Seasonal fruit
  • Locally made sweet treats from Wild Rye
  • Special dietary requirements can be catered for upon request.
Cruise Ship Guests Welcome

Arriving in Eden by cruise ship? Our Pambula River Kayaking tour is the ideal way to experience the natural beauty of the Far South Coast. We offer convenient transfers from the Port of Eden for an additional fee.

Supporting Conservation

$2 from every tour will be donated to Sea Shepherd. This donation supports a range of critical Sea Shepherd initiatives, from cleaning up plastic pollution to defending marine wildlife and combating illegal fishing.

Book Your Pambula River Kayak Adventure Today!

Tour Inclusions

  • Guided kayak tour of the Pambula River
  • All necessary equipment (kayak, paddle, and safety gear)
  • Wholesome Morning Tea
  • Waterproof dry bags, reef shoes and rain gear (if needed)

Meeting Times

8AM or as advertised on the online booking calendar 

Private group departures are available for groups of six or more guests.

Departure & Return Location

Pambula Lake, 52 Landing Rd, Broadwater NSW 2549

Driving time from: Eden 15min , Merimbula 15min, Tathra 40min, Bega 40min, Bermagui 1hr 25min & Canberra 3hrs

Tour Duration

Approximately 3hrs

What to bring and wear

  • Hat, sunglasses, reef-safe sunscreen
  • Water bottle
  • Closed-toe shoes (reef shoes or old trainers) are needed. We have some you can borrow.
  • Wear a shirt with shorts or 3/4 length pants. Bring warm layers if it's cold. We have rain gear you can borrow. If you plan to swim, wear your swimmers and bring a towel.

Activity Rating

Active: Ideal for those with moderate fitness and good balance, this kayaking experience may involve sustained effort and paddling over long distances, occasionally against wind or current.

You’ll paddle approximately 3km in each direction, totalling a 6km round trip. Generally, one leg of the journey will be with the tide, and the other against it.

Pricing

$170 AUD per adult (17+)

$135 AUD per child (3 to 16 yrs) 

Minimum 4 guests, maximum of 12, book online or fill out an enquiry form 

Essential Booking Details

Minimum Guest Requirement

We require a minimum of 4 guests to confirm a tour, but don’t worry if you’re booking for less!

If your group is smaller than four (especially outside of school holidays), please contact us. We’ll gladly check our schedule to see if we can combine your booking with another confirmed group.

If the minimum of 4 guests isn’t met three days before the departure, we’ll email you with your options: transfer to another confirmed tour time, receive a full refund, or pay the equivalent of 4 guests to guarantee your private departure.

Notification and Options for Unconfirmed Tours

If your tour has not met the minimum requirement of 4 guests three days before the scheduled departure, we will notify you by email with the following options:

  • Guarantee the Departure: You can choose to pay for the additional empty spots needed to reach the minimum number. Note: If more guests book onto the tour before departure, this additional payment may be refunded to you.

  • Transfer Your Booking: Move your booking to another date that has a confirmed departure.

  • Full Refund: Cancel your booking and receive a complete refund.

Cancellations Due to Weather or Operations

If we cancel a tour due to severe weather or operational requirements, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you a choice of either a full refund or an alternative activity/date.

Public Holiday Surcharge

A 10% surcharge will be applied to all bookings on NSW Public Holidays to help offset the increased wage expenses incurred on these days.

Terms and Conditions

Please read our full Terms and Conditions before booking.

Accessibility and Assistance

Our expert kayak guides are trained to assist all guests in entering and exiting the kayaks safely and with dignity. If your group has specific requirements or needs, please contact us in advance. This allows us to discuss your requirements in detail and make necessary arrangements to ensure your kayaking experience is both enjoyable and comfortable. Additionally, we may be able to assist with meeting NDIS goals; please contact us to discuss.

Kayak Types and Preferences

We offer single, double, and triple kayaks for our tours. Please indicate your preference on your booking form. For children aged 10 and under, we recommend the stability and shared experience of a double kayak with an accompanying adult. Our kayak fleet also includes single and double kayaks equipped with outrigger stabilising floats for enhanced stability. 

Swimming Ability and Safety

While being able to swimming is not a requirement, guests who are unable to swim must let us know on the booking form. This allows us to ensure extra safety measures are in place.

Assistance Animals and Pets

For safety reasons, trained assistance animals and pets are not permitted inside the kayaks.

Facilities and Location

Public toilets are located just a 300m walk from the start/finish location of the tour. 

Map

Photos
Reviews
FAQ

Do I need prior kayaking experience?

Do you provide life jackets/safety equipment?

What is included in the tour price?

What is your cancellation/refund policy?

Cancellation by you

  • The Traveller may cancel the services at any time, however, if the Traveller cancels the services:
  • More than 48 hours prior to the commencement of the services, Navigate Expeditions may retain 10% of the amount paid as an administration fee.
  • Less than 48 hrs prior to the commencement of the service or if the guest does not appear for the service, Navigate Expeditions may retain 100% of the total amount paid.

Cancellation by us

Navigate Expeditions may cancel the Service for any reason and at any time before the commencement of the Services, including if the number of Travellers participating in the Services does not meet the minimum number of guests required by Navigate Expeditions, or if third party providers cancel all or part of the Services. In this event, Navigate Expeditions will provide a full refund of all monies paid.

You can read our full Terms and Conditions here

I have kids. Is this tour suitable for children?

Absolutely! We love taking families out on the beautiful Pambula River—it’s a very family-friendly activity. There is so much for kids to learn and see along the river!

For Children Over 3 Years Old

  • Kayaking: For children under 10 years old, or those with little kayaking experience, we recommend they share a double kayak with an adult. Just let us know your preference on the booking form.
  • Safety: We provide appropriately sized life jackets for all children. We ask for their age when booking to ensure we have the correct size ready.

For Very Young Children

  • If you wish to bring children under 3 years old, they will generally sit between an adult’s legs in a double kayak with a life jacket on, as they won’t be paddling.
  • For the best experience with toddlers, we highly recommend booking a private Pambula River kayaking tour. Please contact us directly to discuss this option.

 

I've never paddled before. Can I still do this tour?

Yes! No prior kayaking experience is necessary. Our guides will provide a quick, fun lesson and you’ll find the skill is very easy to pick up.

However, you should be physically active and have good balance. The tour involves a 6km round trip paddle, which does require a moderate level of effort, especially when paddling against the tide in one direction.

What if it's raining?

We can still deliver this experience in light rain, provided we are not expecting a torrential downpour or dangerous conditions. We supply full-body rain gear (rain pants and coats from size small to large) for everyone. The oyster farm also has a comfortable undercover area where they can conduct the farm tour. We’ll only cancel in the event of dangerous weather.

Can I bring my phone on the kayaking tour?

We encourage you to bring your phone to take lots of great photos. We provide small, waterproof dry bags specifically for phones, as well as larger dry bags for personal belongings like towels and a jumper.

Can I bring my dog or other pet?

no, we cannot accommodate dogs or any other pets on this tour.

This is due to two main reasons:

  1. Safety: For the well-being of all guests, pets are not suitable in the kayaks.

  2. National Park Regulations: We are paddling and stopping within the National Park, which strictly prohibits the entry of dogs and other pets to protect the local wildlife.

If you require care for your pet while you participate in the experience, please let us know before you book. We are happy to help you find a local pet sitter (at your expense).

What should I wear/bring with me?

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting a little wet. Quick-drying fabrics like swimwear or activewear are good.

What to Wear

  • Tops: A t-shirt or a lightweight long-sleeve shirt for sun protection. In winter, we highly recommend a warm layer, such as wool or fleece.
  • Bottoms: Shorts. Your legs will get wet up to your knees when launching and landing the kayaks. Please avoid wearing jeans as they hold water and are uncomfortable when wet.
  • Footwear: We recommend water shoes or old sneakers that you don’t mind getting wet. Alternatively we do have reef shoes that we lend to our guests. 
 

I'm not very fit or active, and I don't have good balance. Is this tour suitable for me?

No. This particular tour requires a reasonable level of physical activity and balance. The trip involves kayaking a 6km round journey, and at least one leg is often paddled against the tide, which can be challenging, even for fit guests.

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable time, so if you’re concerned about your fitness or balance, we suggest one of these excellent alternatives:

  • Easier Tours: We recommend our Bega River Tour or Brogo Dam Tour. Both are great options as they have minimal tidal flows or currents, making for a much easier paddle.
  • Private Pambula River Tour: Contact us to book a private tour of the Pambula River. This allows us to customise the paddle to your pace, or even arrange a one way paddle with the tide to ensure a relaxing experience.

I have special needs or requirements. Can you still cater for me?

We strongly encourage people of all abilities to enjoy kayaking with us! We have several ways to make the experience easier and safer, including:

  • Adaptive Equipment: We have stabiliser floats that can be attached to a kayak, as well as high-back rests for extra support.
  • Trained Guides: Our guides are trained in community care and have experience working within the NDIS scheme.

However, for your safety and enjoyment, it is best to contact us directly before booking to discuss your specific needs.

A public tour may not be suitable if you require a slower pace or specialised assistance, as public tours require all guests to keep up with the group. In these cases, we often recommend booking a private tour, which allows us to fully tailor the pace, route, and assistance to ensure you have a safe, comfortable, and memorable experience.

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