Jetsettersblog

You’ll never, ever know if you don’t give it a go – and this summer is the perfect opportunity to pick up a paddle on the NSW Sapphire Coast.

If you’re seeking serenity – or a touch of excitement – kayaking and canoeing can provide it, and with four major paddling operators on the Sapphire Coast, there’s bound to be one offering the adventure that suits you.

If you’re a novice, Coastlife Adventures (all contact details below) offers a range of tuition tours that will have you paddling like a professional in no time.

Ocean Experience tours begin in the estuaries of the well-known south coast town of Merimbula or the neighbouring town of Pambula and take you to the ocean’s edge nearby. You’ll learn how to catch waves during this tour which is aimed at beginners and intermediate paddlers, with a minimum age of 12.

For less confident novices or younger paddlers (5-8 years, if accompanied by adults), there’s the quieter experience of still water paddling with the River Tour. Qualified instructors will teach you the skills you need to know as you cruise the beautiful Bega River, spotting wildlife above and below the waterline.

Ocean Wilderness Sea Kayaking has recently launched several great new tours out of Bermagui, including the Bermagui Coastal Explorer, Horse Shoe Bay to Bermagui River and Wallaga Lake to Black Lagoon.

These trips offer something for everyone from first-time paddlers to more experienced sea kayakers. The company also offers half-day tours out of Merimbula and day tours at Eden. Check the website below for more information.

Mimosa Blue has introduced a new Marine Discovery tour, to explore the still waterways of the Mimosa Rocks National Park, between Bermagui and Tathra.

You’ll spend two and a half hours learning basic kayaking skills (if you need to) and otherwise enjoying the clear waters in a glass-bottomed two-seater kayak. Limited to a group of four, it’s an ideal family excursion with the chance to spot fish, rays, sea eagles and maybe even a dolphin or seal. Mimosa Blue also offers early morning, sunset and oysters-and-wine kayak tours to sample local specialties.

Brogo Wilderness Canoes is based on the shores of the spectacular Brogo Dam, 25km northeast of Bega, and from here you can hire a canoe and explore the still waters and stunning beauty of the Brogo Wilderness and Wadbilliga National Park.

All these tours operate on the Sapphire Coast, which is located on the Far South Coast of NSW, approximately halfway between Sydney and Melbourne (six/seven hours’ drive) and about three hours’ drive from Canberra via Cooma.

REX operates daily flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Merimbula with land connections easily arranged. There are also bus services from Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

More details about the area, and accommodation bookings, are available on the Sapphire Coast Tourism website,  www.sapphirecoast.com.au  or call toll-free on 1800 150 457.

CONTACTS FOR COMPANIES LISTED ABOVE:
Coastlife Adventures – 1300 762 993 / (02) 6494 1122; http://coastlife.com.au

Ocean Wilderness Sea Kayaking – (02) 6493 5635 / 0405 529 214; http://www.oceanwilderness.com.au

Mimosa Blue – (02) 6494 0051 / 0428 124 664; http://mimosablue.com

Brogo Wilderness Canoes – (02) 6492 7328; http://brogocanoes.com.au