TourTruth score 9.3 out of 10
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Santa Barbara Kayak or Stand-Up Paddleboard Rental 1 hr
TourTruth score 7.8 out of 10
Good
35 reviews · Rated on 2 providers · How we score
- Santa Barbara
- 1 hr
- Updated November 2, 2026
Paddle Santa Barbara’s coastline from West Beach, with gear, safety instructions, and chances to spot seals, sea lions, and dolphins.
About this tour
Set out from West Beach and discover Santa Barbara from the water, with the coastline and Stearns Wharf as your backdrop. Choose a kayak or stand-up paddleboard, get fitted with your gear, and receive basic and safety instructions before heading out.
Paddle at your own pace along the coast and around the harbor, taking in the shoreline from a fresh perspective. Keep an eye out for sea lions, seals, and dolphins, which are commonly spotted in the area. Beach staff can offer advice on where to go and what to see, while your life vest or personal flotation device, paddle, and watercraft are provided. The rental lasts 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the option selected.
Whether you’re exploring by kayak or testing your balance on a paddleboard, this Santa Barbara water adventure offers an easy way to enjoy the ocean. Book your Santa Barbara kayak or stand-up paddleboard rental and make time for a coastal outing at your own pace.
Highlights
- Paddle the Santa Barbara coastline at your own pace
- Look for sea lions, seals, dolphins, and other marine life
- Enjoy views of the harbor and Stearns Wharf
- Get basic and safety instructions before setting out
What's included
Included
- Kayak or stand-up paddleboard
- Paddle
- Life vest or personal flotation device
- Basic instructions
- Safety instructions
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuity
- Transportation to and from the beach
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
-
View on ViatorViator
4.97 / 5 · 29 reviews
-
View on GetYourGuideGetYourGuide
4.02 / 5 · 6 reviews
What reviewers mention
Themes that come up most in this tour's reviews.
Often praised
Important information
- All participants, regardless of age, must be able to swim
- Non-swimmers cannot participate
- People over 275 lb (125 kg) cannot participate
- Alcohol and drugs are not allowed
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- Swimwear and a towel are recommended
- Service animals are allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants must sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Meet at West Beach, just right of Stearns Wharf, near the blue flags and blue tent
How this score is calculated
This tour scores 4.97 on Viator and 4.02 on GetYourGuide. Ratings on these sites cluster near the top of the 5-star scale, so we compare each one with all other ratings on the same site before combining them.
How the score works and rating distribution in Santa Barbara
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 7.8.
Provider rating distribution in Santa Barbara
How many tours in Santa Barbara have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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