It’s possible that there may be no better way to see New Zealand’s coasts than from its waters. Kayaking in New Zealand offers kiwis and tourists alike the opportunity to see our unique coastline, enjoy our beautiful water, and if they’re lucky, spot some of our marine life. With no shortage of places to rent kayaks, you don’t need to own one yourself to enjoy paddling around. Read on to check out 7 of the best places for kayaking in New Zealand!
1. Goat Island / Te Hāwere-a-Maki
The crystal clear water around Goat Island attracts snorkelers from all over the North Island, but those same waters also make the area perfect for viewing fish through glass-bottom kayaks! Given that Goat Island is a marine reserve, it’s one of the best places in New Zealand to watch schools of fish and other marine life in their natural habitat. You can rent these special kayaks from a few places including Glass Bottom Boat Tours, who also rent snorkels in case you want to be in the water as much as sitting on top of it.
2. Lake Taupō
One of the coolest sites to see around Lake Taupō is the Mine Bay Māori Rock Carvings. One of the best ways to get there is by kayak. Visitors can rent a kayak from places like Taupō’s Canoe and Kayak, and experience Australasia’s largest freshwater lake while enjoying one of the more cultural kayak tours New Zealand has to offer. The best thing about kayaking around Taupō is that after a long day of paddling, you can rest your tired arms in the hot pools of the Wairakei Terraces, or any other of its surrounding geothermal spas.
3. Paihia
Nestled in the Bay of Islands, Paihia is a Northland haven for summer holiday makers. Regardless of the season, it’s blue waters make for excellent kayaking among the shelter of the bays. For the adventurous, companies such as Bay of Islands Kayaking offer some of the best multi-day kayaking in New Zealand. This allows paddlers to see parts of the region’s 144 islands they’d never reach otherwise.
4. Abel Tasman National Park
A list of the best places for kayaking in New Zealand would be remiss without mentioning Abel Tasman National Park. The famous turquoise waters of the National Park are legendary, and the best way to experience them is seated on top of a kayak. Rental companies like Abel Tasman Kayaks offer half-day, full-day, and multi-day rental services to provide some of the most memorable kayaking trips in New Zealand. Kayakers may even spot penguins or fur seals if they’re lucky.
5. Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
It’s no secret that Milford Sound offers some of New Zealand’s most famous must-do boat tours. Visitors can also get amongst kayak hire, which is excellent news for those who love kayaking in some of the country’s most scenic regions! With rental companies like Southern Discoveries, you can rent a kayak and see the fiord’s towering peaks, and unique waters. Southern Discoveries even has an underwater observatory to check out Milford Sound beneath the surface.
6. Whanganui River
The Whanganui River offers one of New Zealand’s truly immersive multi-day kayaking trips. Rental companies like Taumarunui Canoe Hire rent out kayaks and canoes for trips as long as five days (or just one, if that’s more your speed). Whanganui River trips can give visitors the chance to relax while truly engaging with nature. This is a whole new way to experience one of New Zealand’s great rivers!
7. Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-A-Hei
Perched out on the eastern coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, Cathedral Cove is best known for its highly Instagrammable naturally occurring archway. What the cove also offers however, is a chance for kayakers to enjoy gliding over its clear blue waters, and discover the cove’s other unique rock formations. Cathedral Cove Kayak Tours offer rentals, as well as guided tours of all the area’s best kayak-accessible sights.
