Sydney By Kayak

What Sydney By Kayak does

Sydney By Kayak is a family-owned eco-tourism kayak tour operator founded in 2013 by Laura Stone and co-owned with her husband Ben, running guided kayak experiences on Sydney Harbour from a Lavender Bay launch point with a secondary accessible facility, the SBK Eco Hub, in North Sydney. The company's product portfolio includes scheduled group tours (Sunrise Kayak and Coffee with Breakfast, Sunset Kayak, Sydney Harbour Highlights, Sydney Harbour Bridge Tour, Kayak and Ice Cream Tour) at $79-$179 per person, premium private experiences (Couple's Sunrise Champagne Breakfast at $895 per couple, Private Couple's Kayak at $389), Corporate Clean-Up Paddles with $15 per paddler donated to conservation, Chinese-language tours, and an adaptive kayaking program built around a custom twin-outrigger kayak, transfer sling, and Sunflower-lanyard accessibility membership. The underlying operational technology is physical rather than software: proprietary adaptive outrigger hardware, reusable Thermos coffee cup logistics, harbour-water kayak washing, world-first Living Seawall Habitat Boulders co-developed with SIMS and Reef Design Lab, and a Paddle Australia-accredited guide corps.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through direct-to-consumer online bookings via the company's website and email-driven corporate inquiries, supplemented by 3-year gift vouchers. Distribution is single-channel and single-geography (Sydney only), with marketing relying on owned social channels (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube), blog content, and earned media in National Geographic, Time Out, and the World Economic Forum. Customers span tourists, local residents, corporate groups seeking sustainability-linked team building, and accessibility customers; the company's 14+ awards (including NSW Tourism Awards Gold 2022, 2023, 2025 and Australian Tourism Awards Silver for Ecotourism 2023 and 2024) anchor brand differentiation around conservation impact and inclusive access rather than price competition.

Name

Sydney By Kayak

Legal name

Sydney by Kayak

Website

https://sydneybykayak.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sydney By Kayak is a family-owned eco-tourism operator running guided kayak tours on Sydney Harbour for tourists, locals, corporate groups, and accessibility customers, with a sustainability-linked product mix including conservation paddles, adaptive equipment, and a community Eco Hub facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Eco-Tourism & Recreational Kayak Tour Services

NAICS

Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (487210), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water (4872)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Coastal Tours (THAAAIAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Kayaking, Canoeing & SUP Tours (Guided/Paddling Excursions) (THAJAJAF), Water & Marine Guiding Services (Kayak, Canoe, Raft, SUP, Sailing) (THAAALAB)

Keywords

• Eco-tourism kayak tours
• Guided harbour tours
• Adaptive kayak experiences
• Corporate team building
• Harbour conservation tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney (Lavender Bay)

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Kayak Tour Bookings: Direct tour bookings through website for kayak experiences on Sydney Harbour including Sunrise Kayak and Coffee, Kayak and Ice Cream, Sydney Harbour Highlights, Sydney Harbour Bridge Tour, Corporate Clean-Up Paddles, and private couple's tours.
2. Corporate Team Building Experiences: Corporate Eco Tours and Clean-Up Paddles for team building events, booked as group experiences.
3. Gift Vouchers: Gift certificates sold for specific kayak tour experiences or flexible value vouchers valid for 3 years.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sydney By Kayak operates guided kayak tours on Sydney Harbour, offering scheduled group experiences (Sunrise Kayak and Coffee, Sunset Kayak, Sydney Harbour Highlights, Sydney Harbour Bridge Tour, Kayak and Ice Cream), premium private couple's experiences, corporate clean-up paddles, and adaptive kayak tours for paddlers with disabilities. All tours launch from Lavender Bay and include equipment, safety briefings, qualified guides, and free professional photography, with the company operating its own accessible SBK Eco Hub facility.

Product overview

Sydney By Kayak operates as an eco-tourism kayak tour company offering a portfolio of guided kayak experiences on Sydney Harbour. The core offering consists of scheduled group tours (Sunrise Kayak and Coffee with Breakfast, Sunset Kayak, Sydney Harbour Highlights Tour, Sydney Harbour Bridge Tour, Kayak and Ice Cream Tour, and Corporate Clean-Up Paddles) complemented by premium private experiences (Couple's Sunrise Champagne Breakfast, Private Couple's Kayak) and accessible adaptive kayak tours. The company also operates the SBK Eco Hub as a community facility for conservation education and post-tour amenities. Gift vouchers are available as an add-on across any experience. All tours include equipment, safety briefings, professional photography, and depart from Lavender Bay boat ramp.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sunrise Kayak and Coffee with Breakfast Pre-dawn guided kayak tour on Sydney Harbour featuring barista-made coffee served on the water, complimentary breakfast with pastries and seasonal fruit, professional photography, and views of Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House. $179 per person.
• Sunset Kayak on Sydney Harbour Evening kayak tour catching the city at golden hour with pink LED lights glowing on the water as dusk falls on Sydney Harbour.
• Sydney Harbour Highlights Tour Relaxed guided kayak tour of Sydney Harbour departing at 9:30am from Lavender Bay with views of Luna Park, Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House. $79 per person. Includes all equipment, safety briefing, and free professional photos.
• Sydney Harbour Bridge Tour Kayak tour departing at 9:00am that takes paddlers under the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Route subject to ferry traffic.
• Kayak and Ice Cream Tour Summer-focused paddle with views of Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, featuring premium Italian gelato served directly on the kayak. From $149 per person. Includes all equipment, life jacket, and free digital photos.
• Corporate Clean-Up Paddles Team-building experience at 9:30am where corporate groups learn about Lavender Bay sustainability initiatives while collecting rubbish from the harbour. $129 per person with $15 from every booking donated to local conservation initiatives. 90-minute duration.
• Couple's Sunrise Champagne Breakfast Private romantic kayak experience for couples at sunrise on Sydney Harbour with champagne and breakfast on the water, followed by sit-down breakfast at Northspoon Cafe. $895 per couple.
• Private Couple's Kayak Private tailored kayak tour of Sydney Harbour at the couple's own pace with a dedicated guide. $389 per couple.
• Accessible Kayaking Tours Adaptive kayak experiences for paddlers with disabilities, injuries, or accessibility needs. Includes twin-outrigger adaptive kayak suitable for wheelchair users, transfer support sling, tow ropes, paddle grips, and assistance dog accommodations. Available across all tour experiences.
• Gift Vouchers Gift certificates available as specific tour experiences or flexible value vouchers, valid for 3 full years.

Quantifiable outcome

• 43,082kg of rubbish removed from Sydney Harbour since 2018
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Sydney Sea Life AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership with Sydney Sea Life Aquarium on the Seabin project, collecting and analysing marine debris to protect waterways. Joint funding of Seabin in Darling Harbour in 2019. Also supporters of Sea Life Trust, contributing to vital conservation efforts.
• Sydney Institute Of Marine Science (SIMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with SIMS on Living Seawall Boulders installation in Lavender Bay - world-first design in collaboration with Reef Design Lab and North Sydney Council. Working with marine biologists to conduct biodiversity surveys. $10,000 donated to SIMS for ongoing marine research plus $6,000 from corporate sponsor Adobe.
• Reef Design LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on design of world-first Living Seawall Habitat Boulders that mimic natural rockpools and enhance biodiversity in Sydney Harbour.
• Better Business PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with Better Business Partnership for sustainability accountability, knowledge sharing, and connection with like-minded businesses in the community. Received Champions of Change 2025 award from BBP.
• North Sydney CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with North Sydney Council on Living Seawall Boulders installation, mangrove nursery planting, and Ocean Garden restoration project. Council backing for conservation initiatives.
• Ecobel SydneyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Ecobel on mangrove nursery project and Bruce the solar-powered rubbish collection boat. SBK contributed $3,500 to Bruce project.
• San Antonio BakeryminorOthersProvides expertly brewed coffee for kayak tours, served to customers during experiences. Located at 32 Burton Street Kirribilli.
• Sip 'n' GrazeminorOthersProvides champagne breakfast boards for Couple's Sunrise Champagne Breakfast experience, adding luxury element to kayak tours.
• The North Spoon CafeminorOthersRecommended breakfast spot post-kayak. Serves delicious fresh meals in cozy atmosphere. Partner for Couple's Sunrise Champagne Breakfast sit-down breakfast.
• Ocean ExtrememinorOthersHigh-speed water adventures partner for team days out or social collaborations, complementing serene kayaking tours.
• Bridge Climb SydneyminorOthersRecommended partner for 'under and over the bridge' experience - combining paddle under Harbour Bridge with climb to the top for complete Sydney experience.
• Paddle AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body membership for paddlesports management, co-ordination, development and promotion. All guides hold Paddle Australia accreditation.
• PaddleNSWcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState organisation for paddlesports in NSW and ACT. Empowering paddling community to care for environment, bringing together paddlers and environmental groups.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Broad incumbents

• Intrepid Travel: Large global adventure and eco-tourism operator with certified sustainable experiences. Comparable as a broader eco-tourism incumbent targeting similar conscious-traveller segments.
• Captain Cook Cruises: Iconic, established Sydney Harbour cruise and experience operator offering a broad portfolio (harbour cruises, dinner cruises, whale watching). Overlaps with SBK as a Sydney Harbour paid-experience provider for tourists.

Others

• Paddle Australia: National governing body for paddlesports; SBK holds Paddle Australia accreditation. Comparable as the institutional context for accreditation, training, and certification in the kayak tour space.
• Ecotourism Australia: Industry body administering the ECO Certified program (which SBK holds). Comparable as the certification ecosystem defining standards and consumer trust signals in ecotourism.
• BridgeClimb Sydney: Sydney tourism operator offering climbs up the Sydney Harbour Bridge; explicitly cross-promoted by Sydney By Kayak as a complementary 'under and over the bridge' experience.
• PaddleNSW: State paddlesport organisation for NSW and ACT; SBK is a member. Relevant as the governing ecosystem for paddle instruction, environmental programming, and community paddler networks.
• Ocean Lovers Festival: Sydney-based ocean conservation and engagement festival; SBK runs Corporate Clean-Up Paddles in partnership with the festival (e.g., Jess Fox event). Adjacent as a community/marketing channel for marine conservation tourism.
• Sea Life Sydney Aquarium: Marine-focused Sydney attraction and SBK conservation partner (Seabin project). Comparable as a Sydney marine-tourism touchpoint serving overlapping visitor audiences.

Direct peers

• Sea Sydney Kayak: Direct kayak tour competitor operating guided paddles on Sydney Harbour and nearby waterways, serving tourists and locals with a similar product set and price band as Sydney By Kayak.
• Manly Kayak Centre: Kayak tour and rental operator on the Northern Beaches, serving similar tourist and local segments with guided kayak experiences comparable in format to SBK's offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SydneyByKayak
• Facebookfacebook.com/sydneybykayak
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sydneybykayak
• Instagraminstagram.com/sydney_by_kayak
• TikToktiktok.com/@sydneybykayak

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sydney By Kayak