Please read carefully prior to making a booking.
 

Booking Conditions

The following booking conditions apply to all tours, lessons, rentals and activities operated by Sydney Harbour Kayaks.

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Payment

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• Full payment is required at the time of booking for all standard tours, lessons and activities.

• Payments may be made by Visa, Mastercard, EFT or other approved payment methods.

• All prices displayed by Sydney Harbour Kayaks are inclusive of GST.

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Minimum Participant Numbers

 

To ensure a quality experience and maintain operational viability, some activities require minimum participant numbers.

• Public tours generally require a minimum of four participants to proceed.

• Private tours are subject to a minimum booking value equivalent to six participants.

 

If minimum participant numbers are not met, Sydney Harbour Kayaks reserves the right to reschedule, modify or cancel the activity. Wherever possible, participants will be offered an alternative date or suitable alternative activity.

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Corporate and School Group Bookings

 

The following payment conditions apply to corporate groups, schools and large private bookings.

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Groups of More Than 12 Participants

• A 50% deposit is required to secure the booking.

• The remaining balance is due no later than the day before the activity.

Bookings Made Within One Month of the Activity

• Full payment is required at the time of booking.

Groups of 12 Participants or Fewer

• Full payment is required at the time of booking unless otherwise agreed by Sydney Harbour Kayaks.​​​​​​

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Check-In Requirements

To ensure all activities depart on time and participants receive the appropriate safety briefing and equipment fitting, all paddlers are required to arrive and check in prior to their scheduled departure time.

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Arrival Time

All participants must check in at the Sydney Harbour Kayaks base at least 15 minutes prior to the advertised departure time of their tour, lesson, rental or activity.

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This allows sufficient time to:

• Complete any outstanding paperwork or waivers.

• Be fitted with a lifejacket and any other required equipment.

• Receive the appropriate safety briefing.

• Meet your guide or instructor.

• Ensure activities depart on schedule for all participants.

 

Participants who arrive after the scheduled departure time may be unable to join the activity and may be treated as a no-show.

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Safety First

At Sydney Harbour Kayaks, the safety of our customers, guides and staff is our highest priority.

Sydney Harbour and Middle Harbour provide many sheltered paddling locations, allowing us to operate safely in a wide range of weather conditions. However, weather, water conditions and other unforeseen circumstances may occasionally require us to modify, postpone or cancel an activity.

Sydney Harbour Kayaks reserves the right to delay, modify, substitute, postpone or cancel any tour, lesson, rental or activity if conditions are considered unsuitable or unsafe.

All decisions are made by our experienced staff and guides with participant safety as the primary consideration.

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Poor Weather Does Not Always Mean Cancellation

Many people are surprised to learn that kayaking can still be enjoyable in light rain, overcast conditions or cooler weather.

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Activities will generally proceed unless conditions are considered unsafe due to:

• Strong winds

• Thunderstorms or lightning

• Dangerous water conditions

• Poor visibility

• Extreme weather events

• Other safety-related concerns

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Where appropriate, rain jackets and additional equipment may be provided to help participants remain comfortable.

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If Sydney Harbour Kayaks Cancels an Activity

If Sydney Harbour Kayaks cancels an activity due to weather, safety concerns or operational reasons, customers who booked directly with Sydney Harbour Kayaks may choose one of the following options:

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• Transfer to another available date.

• Receive a credit valid for 3 years.

• Receive a full refund.

No administration fees apply where Sydney Harbour Kayaks cancels an activity.

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Guided Tours and Lessons

Guided tours and lessons require the allocation of guides, equipment and operational resources.

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More Than 7 Days Prior to Departure

• Refund available less a $15 administration fee per participant.

• Free transfer to another available date.

• Alternatively, customers may elect to receive a credit valid for 3 years.

 

Between 24 Hours and 7 Days Prior to Departure

• No refund available.

• Free transfer to another available date.

• Alternatively, customers may elect to receive a credit valid for 3 years.

 

Within 24 Hours of Departure

• No refund.

• No transfer.

• No credit.

 

No Show

Participants who fail to attend their scheduled activity will not be eligible for a refund, credit or transfer.

 

 

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Kayak Rentals

Kayak rentals are self-guided activities and are therefore subject to different cancellation conditions.

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More Than 12 Hours Prior to Departure

• Full refund available.

• Free transfer to another available date or time.

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Within 12 Hours of Departure

• No refund available.

• Customers may transfer their booking to another available date or time up to 2 hours prior to the scheduled rental start time.

 

Within 2 Hours of Departure

• No refund.

• No transfer.

 

No Show

Participants who fail to attend their scheduled rental will not be eligible for a refund, credit or transfer.

 

Rental Safety Policy

Sydney Harbour Kayaks encourages all paddlers to make conservative and responsible decisions on the water.

Weather conditions, boat traffic, personal fitness, paddling ability and comfort levels can change during a paddle. If at any time a paddler feels uncomfortable or believes conditions are no longer suitable, we strongly encourage them to return to base.

 

For self-guided kayak rentals, safety will always take priority over completing a planned route or rental duration.

We would always prefer a paddler to return early and safely than continue paddling in conditions they are uncomfortable with.

Safe paddling is always the right decision.

 

Early Return Credit

To encourage safe decision-making, Sydney Harbour Kayaks will provide a credit for unused rental time when a kayak is returned early and the conditions below are met.

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Credits are subject to the following conditions:

• Credits are issued in full one-hour increments only.

• A minimum of one full unused hour must remain on the original rental booking to be eligible for a credit.

• Partial hours are not eligible for credit.

• Credits are issued as rental time rather than a cash value.

• Credits may be used towards a future kayak rental.

• Credits are valid for 3 years from the date of issue.

• Credits are not redeemable for cash.

• Credits are only available once the kayak and equipment have been returned and checked back in by Sydney Harbour Kayaks staff.

 

Examples

• Book a 2-hour rental and return after 1 hour – receive a credit for 1 hour.

• Book a 4-hour rental and return after 2 hours – receive a credit for 2 hours.

 

Sydney Harbour Kayaks encourages paddlers to return early whenever conditions, comfort levels or personal circumstances change. Safe paddling is always the right decision. 

Returning early is considered good judgement and will never be viewed negatively by Sydney Harbour Kayaks staff.

 

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Private Tours, Corporate Groups and School Groups

Private tours, corporate events and school groups require the allocation of guides, equipment and operational resources specifically for that booking.

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More Than 14 Days Prior to Departure

• Refund available less a $15 administration fee per participant.

• Free transfer to another available date.

• Alternatively, customers may elect to receive a credit valid for 3 years.

 

Between 48 Hours and 14 Days Prior to Departure

• No refund available.

• Free transfer to another available date.

• Alternatively, customers may elect to receive a credit valid for 3 years.

 

Within 48 Hours of Departure

• No refund.

• No transfer.

• No credit.

 

Changes to Participant Numbers

Participant numbers may be changed up to 72 hours prior to departure.

Within 72 hours of departure, the final confirmed participant numbers will apply and no refunds, credits or reductions will be available.

 

No Show

No refunds, credits or transfers will be provided for participants who fail to attend their scheduled activity.

 

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Cancellation and Transfer Requests

All cancellation, transfer and rescheduling requests must be submitted directly to Sydney Harbour Kayaks.

 

Requests are only considered effective once acknowledged by Sydney Harbour Kayaks.

 

The date and time the request is received by Sydney Harbour Kayaks will determine the applicable cancellation conditions.

Sydney Harbour Kayaks recommends that customers consider travel insurance where appropriate, particularly for private tours, corporate events and school group bookings.

 

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Mobile Phones, Cameras & Electronic Devices​

Taking Electronics on the Water

Sydney Harbour Kayaks understands that many participants wish to bring mobile phones, cameras and other electronic devices to capture their experience on Sydney Harbour.

However, participants do so entirely at their own risk.

We strongly recommend that all electronic devices are carried in a secure, fully waterproof case or dry bag specifically designed for use in marine environments.

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Protecting Your Equipment

If you choose to bring a mobile phone, camera or other electronic device on the water, it is your responsibility to ensure that:

• The device is adequately protected from water exposure.

• Any waterproof case or dry bag is correctly sealed and secured.

• The device remains secured to your person or kayak at all times.

• You regularly check that all waterproof closures remain properly fastened.

Even in calm weather and sheltered waters, kayaks are exposed to splashes, paddle drips, rain, waves, capsizes and accidental immersion.

Water damage can occur very quickly and is often irreversible.

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Responsibility for Loss or Damage

Sydney Harbour Kayaks accepts no responsibility or liability for the loss, theft or damage of any personal electronic device or other personal property brought onto a tour, lesson, rental or activity.

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This includes, but is not limited to:

• Mobile phones

• Cameras

• Action cameras

• Smart watches

• Tablets

• GPS devices

• Headphones

• Other electronic equipment

Participants who choose to take electronic devices onto the water do so entirely at their own risk.

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Our Recommendation

If an electronic device is not essential to your activity, the safest option is to leave it securely stored on shore. If you must take your electronics out on the water, then please use a secure dry bag / waterproof case.

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Participants are solely responsible for the security and protection of their personal property while participating in any Sydney Harbour Kayaks activity.

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A Shared Responsibility

These policies and guidelines have been developed through more than 30 years of operating kayak tours, lessons and rentals on Sydney Harbour.

They are designed to help ensure a safe, enjoyable and positive experience for all participants while supporting responsible paddling and waterway safety.

If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact the Sydney Harbour Kayaks team prior to your activity.

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