Hobart in summer: kayaking and sailing on the River Derwent

Hobart is a good place to kayak and to watch or join sailing from December to February. An afternoon south-easterly sea breeze fills in on the River Derwent, guided city kayak tours run from October to April, and the summer brings the Sydney Hobart finish in late December and the Australian Wooden Boat Festival in February 2027.

Facts as of November 2026, from the sources listed at the end of this page.

Where can you kayak in Hobart?

The easiest way onto the water is the guided Hobart City tour from Roaring 40s Kayaking. It paddles the sheltered estuary from Sandy Bay to Constitution Dock in about 2.5 hours, and the operator says no paddling experience is required. In December and January it leaves at 7 am.

Tours run from October to April, so the whole December to February window is covered.

What is the wind on the Derwent?

In summer, north-easterlies wrap around the Tasman Peninsula, swing south-east through Storm Bay and feed an afternoon sea breeze on the Derwent. One race-day report describes south-easterly winds of 15 to 20 knots. The breeze can fade quickly after sunset, and one report mentions fickle winds late in the afternoon.

No source for this page gives a typical strength for the summer sea breeze, so check the forecast on the day.

What sailing is there in Hobart in summer?

The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race starts in Sydney on 26 December 2026 and finishes at Constitution Dock in Hobart after the run up the River Derwent. The course is about 628 to 630 nautical miles.

The Australian Wooden Boat Festival runs from 5 to 8 February 2027 at Franklin Wharf. It is held every two years and brings more than 400 wooden vessels and a Parade of Sail.

The racing area is the Derwent Estuary and Storm Bay. For the start of the Sydney Hobart and the other harbour events, see Sydney.

What should you watch out for?

• The city kayak route is sheltered, but Storm Bay and the Bass Strait approach are exposed. Wikipedia describes Bass Strait as renowned for high winds and difficult seas.
• The afternoon breeze can drop fast after sunset, which matters if you are sailing back late.

How do you get there?

Fly into Hobart Airport (HBA). Other summer pages in southern Australia: Melbourne and Adelaide. More on the sports: kayak and sailing.

How windy is Hobart from December to February?

Share of days with at least three consecutive daylight hours at 11 knots (4 Beaufort) or more, over the last 10 southern summers (2015/16 to 2024/25).

	December	January	February	Mean daylight wind	Most common direction
River Derwent, Hobart	60%	63%	68%	12 kn	W

Our calculation from NASA POWER hourly wind at 10 m (MERRA-2 model), 09:00 to 18:00 local solar time. The model grid is about 50 km wide, so it smooths out local sea breezes and gusts: use these figures to compare spots and months, and check a local forecast before you go.

Where do people ride at Hobart right now?

Explore+ in the Waterspeed web app shows recent sessions on a map, with sport and top speed, so you can see which spots are working before you go. Open Explore+. To record your own sessions, Waterspeed runs on iPhone, Android, Apple Watch and Wear OS, and syncs Garmin, COROS and Suunto.

FAQ

Can you kayak in Hobart without experience?

Yes. The guided Hobart City tour from Sandy Bay to Constitution Dock needs no paddling experience, according to the operator.

When does the Sydney Hobart finish?

The race starts in Sydney on 26 December and finishes at Constitution Dock in Hobart after the run up the River Derwent, in late December.

When is the 2027 Australian Wooden Boat Festival?

5 to 8 February 2027, on Hobart's waterfront at Franklin Wharf.

Sources

• Rolex Sydney Hobart: light winds to dominate fleet (2025, day 3)
• Mysailing: Derwent race report
• Wikipedia: Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
• Roaring 40s Kayaking: Hobart City day tour
• Discover Tasmania: Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2027
• Australian Wooden Boat Festival 2027
• Wikipedia: River Derwent (Tasmania)