Weekend kayak tours with hired gear

Locals and holidaymakers booking a weekend activity, community groups, and small corporate or social groups.

Price per person per tour, minus equipment hire. Margins are lower than owning kayaks, but you risk far less money while you build a customer base.

• Confident paddler and group leader
• Organising bookings and logistics
• Good at social media and word of mouth
• Calm under pressure

• Public liability insurance covering guided water activities and hired equipment
• Permits for commercial use of launch sites or waterways, which differ by state and council
• Who is responsible for equipment damage or loss under your hire agreement
• Check your guide qualifications and first aid are current and suit the conditions
• Weather cancellations and refund policies

Startup costs are typically around $1,500 to $6,000, depending on hire arrangements, insurance, marketing and any safety gear you supply yourself. Using hired kayaks keeps costs lower than buying a fleet. These are estimates only.

Check public liability insurance covers guided water activities and hired equipment, and whether you need permits for launch sites or waterways. Also check who is responsible for equipment damage under your hire agreement, and that your guide qualifications and first aid are current.

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on group sizes, pricing and how many weekends you run. Estimates assume at least about 6 hours a week. Weather cancellations and refund policies can affect income.