Kayak & canoe · NEW ZEALAND KAYAKING TOURS

Top 15 New Zealand Kayaking Tours

66 tours  ·  from $56 a head

Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 new zealand kayaking tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to packing a dry bag.

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour - Leaving Hahei Beach with a small group
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Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour

1.Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 887 reviews · from $127Our pick

Set out from Hahei Beach with guides such as Georgia, Ollie, Brad, or Nathan for a three-hour paddle through Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve. Expect stable kayaks, sea caves, rock gardens, possible stingrays and dolphins, a stop at Cathedral Cove, and cappuccinos, hot chocolate, tea, or cookies on the beach.

“One of my favorite activities of our vacation. The weather was perfect and the guide was great! We kayaked out and the wind was just strong enough for us to sail back in. Highly recommend!”

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Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro - From the Piarere meeting point to the water
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Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

2.Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 493 reviews · from $92

Meet Riverside Adventures Waikato in Piarere for a guided evening kayak on Lake Karapiro and the Pokaiwhenua Stream. You paddle for about an hour at a time, watch native birds and rock formations in daylight, then return through the dark to see glowworms. Kayaks, wet gear, shoes, safety equipment, and dry bags are provided.

“Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, so was it wet? Yes. Was it cold? Also yes. Was it atmospheric AF to drift in the river in the dark while the bioluminescent worms shine around you like a constellations of stars so close it feel you caRead more”

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Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura - The Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway from the water
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Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

3.Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 467 reviews · from $99

Paddle the Kaikoura Peninsula with guides such as Loz, Cam, Holt, or Rosie, watching fur seals, seabirds, and possibly dolphins or blue penguins. You get about 1.5 hours on the water, warm gear, safety instruction, and a short transfer from Kaikoura Kayaks to the shore. No kayaking experience is required.

“Cam was a fantastic guide and is clearly passionate about the area and the wildlife. For us it was a great introduction into kayaking and has made us keen to do more! Unfortunately we were pretty limited in the distance we could kayak due to the strong waves that day and didn't see much wildlife in the water itself. It didn't stop us from having a great time though and the experience was definitely worthwhile. Thanks again to Cam for always making sure we were comfortable and putting our safety first!”

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Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura - Out on the Kaikoura peninsula
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Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

4.Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 422 reviews · from $83

Set out from 18 Beach Road on a small-group, three-hour kayak tour around Kaikoura’s peninsula. Your pedal kayak moves with your feet, leaving your hands free for photos. Guides such as Logan, Connor, Emma, Eva, Levi, and Richie share local wildlife knowledge. Choose a seal-spotting outing or sunset tour, with a maximum of 14 people.

“Awesome experience! So glad we did this experience. We have memories to last us a lifetime. Do it! You won't regret it.”

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Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier - Paddling Lake Mapourika for about two and a half hours
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Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier

5.Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · from $92

From Franz Josef, you’ll kayak across calm Lake Mapourika with guides such as Ollie, Max, Dani, or Kurt, then paddle toward a protected kiwi area and old rainforest. Expect about 3 hours on the water, wildlife, local stories, photos, and all equipment provided. The glacier is visible only in clear conditions and from a distance.

“Danny was our guide, she is wonderful. The kayak was one of the best that we have done in years. We have done a few but this one was unique. It was raining that day a I thought this was not going to be good, but then the water is warmer and as we reached the mirror river, things began to clear up, and it was so calm and beautiful. Because of the rain, the chopper were not flying so it was clam, quiet and beautiful. It was memorable. Thank you Dani for this experience.”

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Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour - A practical three-hour outline
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Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

6.Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 390 reviews · 3 hours · from $95

Set out from Kaikoura with an English-speaking guide, learning basic paddling and safety before spending 1.5 to 2 hours on the water. You’ll paddle near fur seals around the peninsula, with possible sightings of dusky dolphins, blue penguins, seabirds, and even whales or orcas. Guides such as Cam, Emma, Holt, and Ollie are praised for calm instruction and lively commentary.

“The activity was a lot of fun and we managed to get all the way to see the seals despite the windy conditions. We were in 2-person kayaks and there was another family of four on the tour. Our guides were Emma and Cam, and Emma was really engaged, friendly, and patient with the guests - her work is 5 stars. It would have been nice if Cam treated the older folks who were less English-proficient with a bit more respect.”

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Rotorua: Glow Worm Kayak Tour - The 15-minute ride from Rotorua to the lake
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Rotorua: Glow Worm Kayak Tour

7.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 351 reviews · 3 hours · from $116

Paddle a stable two-person sit-on-top kayak from Rotorua to Lake Okareka, starting in twilight and ending beneath glow worm-lit caves and, if skies are clear, the Milky Way. English-speaking guides such as Ellie, Forest, Sam, and Keisha lead small groups of up to eight. Equipment, safety gear, and transfers are included.

“It was so worth it! One if the greatest things I've ever done! 100% recommended :)”

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Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown - Switching to the funyak
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Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown

8.Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · from $273

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then race 30 km upriver by jet boat before paddling a funyak through Mt Aspiring National Park. Guides such as Rob, Nikki, Ella, JJ, and Jordan lead the day. Expect Tolkien scenery, side canyons, a picnic lunch, and some real paddling work.

“This is a genuine bucket list event. The combination of thrilling jet boating up the Dart river 30 kms, then kayaking more like canoeing down, coupled with some of the most spectacular landscapes makes for a brilliant day. The tour is run expRead more”

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Glow Worm Kayak Tour - The safety briefing makes the first paddle less intimidating
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Glow Worm Kayak Tour

9.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · from $121

Meet at Rotorua Information Centre and ride to the lake with Taiao Adventures. After a safety lesson and gear fitting, you’ll paddle at dusk into several small caves glowing with native larvae. Guides such as Kaisha, Sam, Forrest, and Tom add local insight. Clear skies may bring stars and the Milky Way.

“Incredible experience - both caves and starry skis but wrap up warm even now especially when skies are clear.”

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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - Te Reka O Te Whenua, a taste of the land
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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

10.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 311 reviews

Paddle Lake McLaren near Tauranga at sunset, then enter a dark canyon lit by green glowworms. Guides such as Ellie, Lucy, Darragh, Leo, and Frosty lead the evening, explain the creatures and local stories, and provide kayaks, safety gear, and light refreshments. Hotel pickup from Tauranga or Mount Maunganui can be arranged for an added fee.

“The tour guide did a great job ensuring we were all taken care of. We were fortunate to have a smaller group on the evening I went in April. It was fun to hear about the history of the glow worms. It was an exciting adventure even when it rained a little towards the end. I would go again if I could.”

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Auckland: Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters - Sunset briefing at Okura or Waiake
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Auckland: Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters

11.Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 259 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $56Best value

Join Social Nature Movement for a 90-minute to 2-hour evening paddle from Okura Boat Ramp or Waiake Beach. Guides such as Paul, Millie, Maurice, Haley, and Conrad explain the four microorganisms behind the glow, while red headlamps, kayaks, PFDs, and safety beacons are supplied.

“Really enjoyed the evening, Paul and Conrad were knowledgeable and were keen for us to find the bioluminescence.”

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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - Te Reka O Te Whenua, a taste of the land
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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

12.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 206 reviews · 3 hours · from $134

Meet your English-speaking guide at 36 Taniwha Place, then ride through the countryside to Lake McLaren. After local cheese, honey, fruit, and drinks, paddle into Mangapapa Canyon to see glowworms and hear Māori stories. Guides such as Ellie, Aaron, Dara, and Tom keep the calm-water trip safe and lively. No kayaking experience is required.

“Our guide, George, was the consummate professional. He made our trip exceptional and ensured we were taken care of at all times. I would highly recommend him, and the evening kayak trip made for a special night out.”

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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour - Est. 1994 - What the Two-Hour Route Feels Like
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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

13.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 187 reviews · from $73

You’ll learn basic kayaking skills from qualified guides, then paddle stable sea kayaks or sit-on-tops through the protected Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve. The glow can be subtle, but on a good night the water flickers like underwater stars. Guides such as Paul, Gareth, Eloise, and Josh have helped make this a calm, friendly first-kayak outing.

“What an experience! Having never been in kayak, I was nervous but the instructions were clear and we did it! We took off before sunset and it got dark enough that we got to see some cool bio sparkles. The most difficult thing was getting out of the boat!”

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Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island - The first crossing takes about an hour
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Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

14.Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $152

Set out from Auckland Sea Kayaks at 4pm with a small group and guide such as Daniel, Byron, or Eric. Paddle about 5 km to Rangitoto, eat a catered Kiwi BBQ, hike toward the summit for sunset, then return across the harbour in darkness. Equipment, guides, dinner, tea, and coffee are included.

“Nathan was our guide and was great. This is about an hour of paddling to the island, 3.4 miles round trip of a hike when there, and an hour paddling back. The operator provides kayak skirts and waterproof jackets. I would recommend hiking shoes for the hike, avoid sandals. You can pack shoes in the dry bags they provide. They will provide vegetarian options if you let them know in advance”

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Kayak & Walk - Walking the Abel Tasman Coast Track to Observation Beach
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Kayak & Walk

15.Kayak & Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews · from $142

Spend a full day exploring Abel Tasman from Marahau. Walk unguided to Observation Beach through forest trails, streams, and waterfalls, then enjoy a fresh local lunch before kayaking back along the coast. Guides such as Sam and Emily have helped guests feel at ease on the water. Kayaking experience is not required.

“Kajak tour is well prepared even for participants, who have never to do with this sport. The assistance given by the guieds is fantastic.”

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New in New Zealand Kayaking Tours

★ 5.0Motukorea / Browns Island Sea Kayak JourneyFrom $12135 reviews
★ 5.0Auckland City Lights Night Kayaking TourFrom $8321 reviews
★ 5.0Auckland Bioluminescence Kayak TourFrom $6831 reviews
★ 5.0Browns Island Motukorea Sea Kayak TourFrom $939 reviews
★ 5.0Sunrise wildlife sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserveFrom $96123 reviews
★ 5.0Guided Electric Mountain Bike & Sea Kayak Tour in AkaroaFrom $19222 reviews
★ 5.0Small group guided sea kayaking in Akaroa marine reserveFrom $83116 reviews
★ 4.6Daytime Scenic Lake McLaren Kayak TourFrom $10416 reviews
★ 4.7Waimangu Valley Walk and Steaming Cliffs Kayak TourFrom $1326 reviews
★ 5.0Glow Worm Adventure KayakFrom $1766 reviews
★ 4.9Daytime Scenic Lake Rotoiti Kayak TourFrom $10112 reviews
★ 5.0Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinnerFrom $2096 reviews
★ 4.7Kayaking or SUP Experience on Moke LakeFrom $8923 reviews
★ 4.8Abel Tasman Kayaking & Great Taste Trail Bike TourFrom $1916 reviews
★ 4.9Abel Tasman Marine Reserve Kayak TourFrom $21222 reviews

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