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Water & beach · Santa Barbara

Top 7 water & beach things to do in Santa Barbara

Boats, beaches, and the parts of Santa Barbara you only see from the water. Ferry rides, sunset cruises, snorkel runs, and the occasional sailing day for travellers who measure good cities by their coastline.

  1. Kayaking tour in Santa Barbara with experienced guides, Santa Barbara1

    1. Kayaking tour in Santa Barbara with experienced guides

    5.0· 438 reviews· 1.5 hours

    Two-hour kayak excursion in Santa Barbara’s harbour — experience local wildlife, including seals and sea lions, with an expert guide.

    Our kayak adventure with Ryan was fantastic. He guided us through the harbor, highlighted local wildlife, and pointed out attractions from the water.Z4915LLdorothyh
  2. Wildlife kayak tour in Santa Barbara Harbor, Santa Barbara2

    2. Wildlife kayak tour in Santa Barbara Harbor

    4.9· 190 reviews· 2 hours

    Two hours of kayaking led by local guides — enjoy marine wildlife and view Santa Barbara’s coastline from the water.

    Our kayaking tour with Adam as our guide was an outstanding experience. He was friendly and knowledgeable, making it both enjoyable and educational. We appreciated learning more about Santa Barbara while on the water. Highly recommend!Ellie_T
  3. Private electric boat cruise in Santa Barbara's harbor, Santa Barbara3

    3. Private electric boat cruise in Santa Barbara's harbor

    4.9· 38 reviews· 1 hours

    Two-hour private cruise on an all-electric boat for up to six people, with options for snacks and drinks, plus an experienced captain included.

    I arranged a boat ride for myself and some colleagues since we finally had a day off together. Our captain was punctual and extremely friendly. He allowed us to pick our own music and drinks, and he was very informative about the local marine life. The highlight for me was spotting dolphins; the captain graciously followed them, giving us plenty of time for pictures. I would absolutely do this again.araselya2026
  1. Sunset kayak tour in Santa Barbara Harbor, Santa Barbara4

    4. Sunset kayak tour in Santa Barbara Harbor

    4.9· 67 reviews· 2 hours

    Two-hour guided kayak tour — explore the scenic shoreline at sunset, suitable for all skill levels.

    Johnny was an excellent guide! As it was my first time kayaking and I was on my own, he helped me feel at ease and relaxed. The experience was incredibly enjoyable, and the sunset was stunning! I highly recommend this and advise checking the suggested options beforehand to ensure you have the right clothing and towel.Dream41815734337
  2. Coastal yacht cruise in Santa Barbara with guided narration, Santa Barbara5

    5. Coastal yacht cruise in Santa Barbara with guided narration

    4.6· 34 reviews· 1.5 hours

    Two hours at sea — narrated yacht tour along Santa Barbara's coastline, featuring local marine wildlife and views of the Channel Islands.

    A fantastic experience from start to finish. The atmosphere was wonderful, and I highly recommend it. I would certainly participate again.Hilda_G
  3. Sunset yacht cruise in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara6

    6. Sunset yacht cruise in Santa Barbara

    4.6· 11 reviews· 1.5 hours

    A 1.5-hour sunset cruise from Stearns Wharf — enjoy coastal views and a full bar featuring local wines and craft beers available for purchase.

    The boat ride was stunning, and I highly recommend it. We joined the 6:30 tour, and the sunset was truly incredible.Melanie_N
  4. Coastal yacht cruise in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara7

    7. Coastal yacht cruise in Santa Barbara

    4.6· 43 reviews· 1 hours

    Two hours on the Azure Seas yacht — enjoy views of the Santa Barbara coastline from the water, tickets for the main deck only.

    We had a wonderful time on this cruise! It was the perfect way for my daughter and me to spend our first afternoon in Santa Barbara, taking in the stunning scenery while out on the water.maryhI2243AI

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