What’s the booking fee added to my online booking?

 

Our booking system provider calls this a convenience fee, it’s the fee they charge for us to have a snazzy live availability online booking system. If you wish to avoid this small cost then please feel free to call, text or email us directly to book. If I’m out on the water, I’ll call or text you back immediately upon returning to the office.

 

Why should I book directly with SKJB rather than through an agency such as Airbnb, Tripadvisor, Redballoon, Klook and Adrenalin?

 

We love our wonderful agencies that provide us with far greater marketing reach and therefore access to more bookings! But they do charge a fee for their services, ranging from 20-25%. If you’re a returning customer or have the option, please choose to book directly with us to keep the full tour fee in the pocket of small business, like us!

 

What happens if the weather is bad?

 

We will let you know as soon as possible if the weather isn’t going to be safe or comfortable for kayaking. In the cooler months, if it looks like it’s going to rain then we will cancel. If it’s a small amount of rain in the warmer months then we will provide you with a rain jacket and we always carry extra warm clothes and hot drinks for the break. Please be advised that I will make the decision on whether the weather is appropriate or not based on the forecast and local knowledge. We want you to have a great time just as much as you do so we will never send you out if it’s not going to be enjoyable. We will offer a credit for your next visit or a 100% refund if we need to cancel due to weather.

 

What if I get sick or injured prior to my tour or hire?

 

No problem, you can make a worry free booking anytime knowing that we will always keep you a credit or provide a 100% refund if you can’t make it due to any kind of sickness or injury including COVID. We just ask that you pretty please let us know as soon as possible, so that we have the opportunity to re-advertise those spots.

 

Can I bring my children along?

 

Yes, but: We aim to keep the Discover Jervis Bay Half Day Tour (5 hour) for persons 14 years and over. This is so that everyone can keep up at a fairly similar pace as it can be difficult to keep up with a group full of adults in double kayaks if you are the only adult with a small child in the front of your double. Our Taste of Jervis Bay 3 hour tour is much more appropriate for kids under 14 years. This is a 3 hour version of the tour. We still have a break with morning/afternoon tea included but we will do a shorter route and can paddle or play as much as your group likes! The 3 hour tour version is appropriate for 5yo and over with the child sitting in the front of a double kayak with a competent adult in the back. Link to our 3 hour family tour: https://www.seakayakjervisbay.com/sitontopkayaktour

 

Will we see local wildlife?

 

The question on everybody lips!! Including mine! It is true that seeing local marine life while on a kayak tour is one of the most wonderful experiences there is. The reality is, there is a bit of luck involved also. We have a large number of resident bottlenose dolphins living inside Jervis Bay ALL YEAR ROUND! Isn’t that incredible! On our half day sea kayak tour we have a pretty much perfect 50% strike rate of seeing dolphins inside the bay. Seals can often be seen in the cooler months and we have a seal colony that can be accessed on an advanced sea kayak tour. Penguins reside in Jervis Bay also and very occasionally we are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a single or raft of these cuties. Migrating whales can be seen between the months of May and November with Sept-Nov the most likely chance to see them while on kayak tour as some come inside Jervis Bay to rest with their young calves. We get very excited when we can locate our resident smooth sting rays which are a favourite and usually amaze our guests by being the largest stingray they have ever seen! We firmly believe that if you put yourself in the right position enough times then you will find the incredible encounter you’re looking for: just see our Instagram for example!!

 

Do I need to be physically fit to sea kayak?

 

We pride ourselves on being accessible for all and can accomodate participants with varied mobility. Typically it is best to run these tours privately so that there are no time restraints that we need to be rushing for, but please contact us to discuss your specific situation. While some general fitness is an advantage, absolutely anyone can learn to kayak! Please don’t be alarmed if it’s your first time, we will teach you everything you need to know on the day of your tour or hire. YOU’RE NEVER TOO OLD TO KAYAK so please come and let us help you to give it a try. For those who need some assistance, our guide will paddle in the back of your kayak and is always happy to do the majority share of the paddling. That’s our job! The only limiting factor in our sea kayaks is weight. Typically around 110kg’s is the weight limit for a single person but this all depends on height too, so please get in touch for advise on your personal situation.

 

Where will we go?

 

We are super lucky to operate in such a fantastic sea kayaking location and one of the best things about Jervis Bay is that no matter what the wind direction is on a given day, there is usually a lovely, calm, protected location somewhere around our bay! That’s the beauty of paddling in a protected bay. We will decide where the conditions are best on a given day and you’ll be notified a day or two before your experience of where the meeting point is. We have 6 main tour routes in various corners of the bay. Aside from getting the calmest possible ocean conditions for your tour, this also means that if you love the tour, there are loads more areas to come back and explore if you’d rather not cover ground you already paddled previously.

 

Can I take my dog?

 

No, sorry. Our tour locations are mostly inside National Parks and some sanctuary zones where no dogs are allowed. It is also very difficult to kayak with a dog in our long skinny sea kayaks. Taking doggo is more appropriate for Stand Up Paddle boarding or a sit on top kayak.

 

Is there a height and weight limit?

 

Yes, our current fleet of double kayaks can fit those up to approximately 195cm tall. This is also depended on leg length so best to get in touch prior to booking. The weight limit is 110kg/person but also best to get in touch as height and girth are also a factor.

 

Is it 5 hours of paddling!?

 

No. The 5 hour tour is from meeting until goodbye. This includes set up time, safety briefing and setting up our sea kayak foot pedals rudder systems. We then paddle for roughly 1 hour 20 minutes, have a long morning tea picnic on the beach where you can swim, snorkel, explore and relax. We then paddle 1 hour and 20 minutes back to our start point or on occasion to a different end point with a pre organised car shuttle.

 

What else is there to do in Jervis Bay?

 

Jervis Bay is one of the most spectacular places on earth and the more you look, the more you find! Please get in touch if you’d like to be emailed “Danes Jervis Bay Hot Tips” outlining many other great activities in the Jervis Bay area. No need to spend any time wondering what to do tomorrow! Just follow our recommendations of popular walks, secret beaches, wildlife viewing and best restaurants list!