Gold Coast Surfers Paradise Kayak Tour to Macintosh Island

This 90-minute guided kayak tour takes you along the calm Nerang River through the heart of Surfers Paradise, past some of the most impressive waterfront properties on the coast, and out to Macintosh Island, a quiet wildlife reserve that surprises almost every first-time visitor. Meet your guide at Budds Beach, right in the centre of Surfers Paradise. Your guide will cover the basics before you paddle a single stroke, and the Nerang River is calm and sheltered, making it genuinely suitable for all ages and fitness levels. As you head out along the river, the Surfers Paradise skyline rises on one side while luxury waterfront homes line the banks on the other. Your guide will share stories about the area and point out wildlife along the way — herons, cormorants and other waterbirds are commonly spotted on this stretch.

The highlight of the tour is Macintosh Island. This peaceful green reserve is home to a resident community of peacocks, swans and geese who are used to visitors and will often come right up to the water's edge.