A new eco-tourism business has launched guided kayak tours on Kogarah Bay, offering residents and visitors a chance to explore the surprisingly rich ecosystems hidden within Sydney’s urban waterways.

Bay Eco Kayaks, founded by former marine biologist Sarah Michaels, operates from Carss Bush Park and offers tours ranging from beginner-friendly morning paddles to longer educational experiences focused on marine life and birdwatching.

The Tours

Three tour options are currently available:

Sunrise Serenity (1.5 hours) Early morning paddle departing at 6:30am, designed for those wanting to experience the bay before crowds arrive. Focuses on bird life, with regular sightings of pelicans, cormorants, sea eagles, and migratory wading birds. Suitable for beginners.

• Cost: $55 per person
• Included: Kayak, paddle, lifejacket, basic instruction

Mangrove Discovery (2.5 hours) Mid-morning tour exploring the mangrove forests along the bay’s western edge. Participants learn about the crucial role mangroves play in filtering water and providing habitat for juvenile fish. Moderate fitness required.

• Cost: $85 per person
• Included: All equipment, morning tea, waterproof species guide

Twilight Wildlife (2 hours) Evening paddle as the bay transitions from day to night. See the change in bird activity, watch fish feeding, and if lucky, spot the bay’s resident blue-swimmer crabs. Popular with photographers.

• Cost: $75 per person
• Included: All equipment, spotlight for wildlife viewing

Private group bookings and school excursions are also available.

Why Kogarah Bay

Michaels spent five years researching Georges River estuary ecosystems before founding the tour business. She chose Kogarah Bay for its accessibility combined with genuine ecological interest.

“People drive past this bay every day without realising what’s in there,” she explained. “We have seahorses, stingrays, over 40 species of fish, plus the bird life. It’s a functioning ecosystem right in the middle of suburbia.”

The bay’s mangrove forests are particularly significant, providing nursery habitat for species that eventually populate the broader Georges River and Botany Bay systems.

Environmental Focus

Tours emphasise minimal-impact practices:

• Small group sizes (maximum 8 participants)
• No motorised vessels
• Leave-no-trace principles
• Quiet observation to avoid disturbing wildlife
• Participation in citizen science data collection

“Every tour participant helps us monitor the bay’s health,” Michaels said. “We record what we see, and that data contributes to research into how urban waterways are faring.”

The business is partnering with Georges River Keeper on educational programs and contributes a portion of revenue to the organisation’s conservation work.

Getting Started

No previous kayaking experience is necessary for the Sunrise Serenity tour. Michaels provides instruction and support throughout.

“We’ve had people in their 70s who’ve never been in a kayak doing these tours,” she noted. “The bay is sheltered with minimal current. If you can sit comfortably, you can kayak here.”

More adventurous options are available for experienced paddlers, including full-day explorations of the broader Georges River system.

Booking Information

Tours run Wednesday through Sunday, weather permitting. Bookings are essential and can be made through the Bay Eco Kayaks website or by phone.

Participants should wear comfortable clothes that can get wet, bring sun protection, and arrive 15 minutes before departure for briefing and equipment fitting.

Meet at the Carss Bush Park boat ramp, off Carwar Avenue, Kogarah Bay.

“I started this business because I want people to fall in love with our local waterways,” Michaels concluded. “Once you’ve paddled through a mangrove forest and seen a sea eagle hunting overhead, you start caring about protecting these places.”

For bookings and information, visit bayecokayaks.com.au or call 0412 555 678.