Step aside Lord of the Rings, New Zealand has got a new claim to fame: the humble kayak. As an island country surrounded by sea and threaded with beautiful lakes and rivers, there’s no better way to experience New Zealand than from the water.
Float across the crystal clear waters of the Abel Tasman, over natural hot pools or in the shadows of mighty fiords. Explore the great open sea with dolphins by your side, or find tree-lined rivers and waterways that snake through the middle of New Zealand. Spend a couple of nights on the Whanganui river and see the Bridge to Nowhere, or for an adventure, get your blood pumping with some white water kayaking. It’s time to see NZ at its best: by paddle.
What are the best places to kayak in New Zealand?
With the whole of New Zealand full to the brim with stunning scenery, incredible marine life and expert guides ready to take you on a kayaking tour, you’re spoilt for choice about where to wet your paddle. Kayaking in New Zealand is more than just an activity, it’s a way to fully immerse in this country, one stroke at a time. Whether you’re keen on the ocean, lakes or rivers, get ready for the kayak trip of a lifetime.
Waiheke Island (North Island)
Explore the stunning coast line of Waiheke Island, just a 40 minute ferry trip from central Auckland. Kayak Waiheke offer kayak tours, or you can ‘freedom’ hire and just pay by the hour. Keep an eye out for sea and bird life as you paddle around the island, and stop in at any of the beautiful beaches for an ice cream or a cold beer.
Cathedral Cove (North Island)
Cathedral Cove in the Coromandel is a renowned kayaking spot in New Zealand, and for good reason. Tucked into a spectacular stretch of Coromandel coast line, this place has rock formations that’ll make you think you’ve paddled back in time, and clear waters that let you get up close and personal with all sorts of sea-dwelling critters. It’s a marine reserve, too, which means there are plenty of them!
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Cathedral Cove tours can be a half or full day, are available all year around, and often include a hot drink or lunch. Locals tip – go in the morning for calmer waters and a gentler breeze. While you’re in the area, make sure to explore some of the other gems in the Coromandel, like Opoutere and Hot Water Beach.
Lake Taupo (North Island)
Welcome to the largest lake in New Zealand – in the Southern Hemisphere, in fact. This is New Zealand kayaking at its best: see 14-metre-high ancient Maori rock carvings in the narrow inlets of Mine Bay, find yourself in the shadow of the great volcanic Mason’s rock, or even pitch a tent at gorgeous Whakaipo bay for the night.
Whether an overnight or day trip floats your boat, choosing one of the local kayaking tours will take it to the next level, with their years of knowledge and experience on the lake. If you’re a multi-sport kind of person, there’s even the option to combine a kayak trip with fishing or biking.
While you’re here, float down the mighty Waikato river, Lake Taupo’s main distributary and the longest river in New Zealand. Bask in the tranquility and crystal clear river waters before stopping off at the natural volcanic hot springs.
Bay of Islands (North Island)
The Bay of Islands is a subtropical paradise, and the perfect place for a kayak trip – it’ll take your ideas about kayaking in New Zealand and blow them right out of the water. Pun intended. With 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula, you could explore your whole life and still leave stones unturned.
The Bay of Islands is one of the best places in New Zealand to experience fur seals, dolphins and migratory whales up close and personal, and there are beaches and waterfalls galore. In fact, one’s even called Amazing Bay – get the picture?
From Urupukapuka Island to Army Bay, there are many beautiful spots around this area, but an extra special place would have to be Haruru Falls. Paddle up the Waitangi River to the horseshoe-shaped waterfalls, where you’ll be in close enough to get crashing water to the face, in a good way.
Kawau Island (North Island)
Kawau Island is one of the biggest islands in the Hauraki Gulf, and being just an hour away from Auckland city, it’s the perfect location for an easy getaway. It’s a haven of serenity, punctuated only by the sound of native birdsong and the water lapping against your kayak.
Rangitoto Island (North Island)
One minute you can be sipping a cocktail at Auckland’s Viaduct, and half an hour later kayaking across the Waitemata Harbour towards the mighty Rangitoto Island. This is Auckland’s youngest volcano, and has become the city’s landmark for its iconic shape. Hike to the summit for epic panoramic views across the Waitemata Harbour, which means ‘sparkling waters’.
Choose from a variety of guided tours, with the option for a sunset kayak from the mainland, returning by the glow of the city lights. This is kayaking, NZ-style. Of course, for those who prefer to do things by the light of day, there’s that option, too.
Abel Tasman National Park (South Island)
Abel Tasman National Park was made for kayaking. Expect golden sand beaches, water of the tropical blue variety, lush rainforest and plenty of marine life to keep you entertained. There are more options than you can shake a lifejacket at, from classic kayak hire to seal sanctuary visits or a multi day trip camping in the national park.
Explore the length of the Abel Tasman Great Walk by sea, stopping to stay in the huts or campsites tucked into the native bush along the way. The Abel Tasman National Park is also home to Split Apple Rock, which, funnily enough, is a big rock that looks like an apple split in half. There’s every manner of kayak tour available, too, whether you’re after a remote overnighter or an easy morning out on the water.
Milford Sound (South Island)
Milford Sound is a national treasure, and nothing short of magical. The towering fiords, dense rainforest and thundering waterfalls will have you spending most of your time stopped, mid-paddle, just to drink it all in. Luckily, there are a handful of great kayaking tour and rental operators in Te Anau to help you discover this wild and wonderful place.
The location of Milford Sound means many people make the trip from Queenstown – it’s about two and a half hours away. While you’re in the area, make sure to visit nearby Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri.
Paparoa National Park (South Island)
The wild west coast of New Zealand is home to many delights, from whitebait to lush rainforest, and one of those is the Paparoa National Park. Glide down the peaceful waters of the Pororari River beneath towering limestone cliffs, and into the Pororari lagoon. Paddlers looking for a bit more adventure can go further, with kayak tours offering trips further down the river to the lower reaches of Cave Creek.
The West Coast is a wet, wonderful place, and there’s no better way to discover it than by floating down a river.
Marlborough Sounds (South Island)
The intricate waterways of the Marlborough Sounds are world famous, and yet, it’s not hard to feel like you’re the first to discover them. With 1500km of beautiful New Zealand coastline, there’s plenty of space for you and your raft, and a kayak tour has got to be the best way to see the it.
Marlborough Sounds are home to the stunning Queen Charlotte Sound, where Abel Tasman first laid eyes on New Zealand, or take a Hobbit Kayak Tour down the Pelorus river. Yes, that’s right – you can follow the path of Bilbo and his friends from The Hobbit, by river kayak. Welcome to New Zealand.
How safe is sea kayaking?
Unless you decide to attempt to cross Cook Strait solo, it’s pretty safe. In New Zealand, companies that offer kayaking tours are run by experienced, responsible guides who know what they’re doing and prioritise safety. Make sure you listen, and, of course, wear your life jacket.
Can you kayak in cold weather?
While lots of tour operators shut down for a few months over the winter months (June to September), it’s still totally possible to kayak and there are plenty that stay open.
Most canoe, rafting and kayaking tour operators will provide you everything you need to stay warm and dry if you’re kayaking in the cold. Think wetsuits, booties, gloves, paddle jackets, dry pants, and fully enclosed kayaks. It sounds like a lot of gear, but trust us, kayaking in New Zealand can get chilly – especially in the South Island.
What shoes do you wear kayaking?
Neoprene paddling booties are the best to wear, because they’re lightweight and protect the bottom of your feet. It all depends on your location, though. If you’re in the subtropical north, and only getting out of your kayak to walk across a sandy beach, you’ll probably be sweet in bare feet.
If you need specific footwear, like waterproof booties for a floating down a South Island river in winter, your tour provider will be all over it.
Is it best to kayak at high or low tide?
That all depends on your location. Often, when sea kayaking in New Zealand, it’s easier to land on the high tide. However, it shouldn’t make too much of a difference in most places and luckily, if you’re on a lake or river, you don’t have to worry about it.
How far can you kayak in a day?
Well, that depends on how much spinach you eat, of course. And whether you’re paddling across the ocean or with the flow of a river. Generally, though, with the right technique, you should be able to manage 15 to 25 kilometres in a day, with plenty of energy to take in the scenery. Just hope for a tail wind!
