New Zealand · CANOES & KAYAKS

The 15 Best Kayak Trips in New Zealand

28 tours  ·  from $56 a head

Sea kayaks in Abel Tasman, lake kayaks under glowworms at Rotorua, and river runs in between. These 15 are priced by length, with a note on which need experience and which are genuinely beginner water.

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour - Setting off from Hahei Beach
Canoes & Kayaks, Cathedral Cove Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour

1.Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour

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

Paddle to Cathedral Cove through sea caves and clear bays, with marine life, small groups, expert guides, and hot drinks on the beach.

“Fantastic experience, and amazing staff from the get-go. AJ was our main tour guide, and Mason was also helping. From start to finish we loved the friendliness, professionalism, and entire experience. Honestly, wouldn’t change a thing. I am sRead more”

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Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro - The daylight section: birds, plants, and carved rock
Canoes & Kayaks, Kayak Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura - Paddling along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway
Canoes & Kayaks, Kaikoura Tours, Kayak Tours in Kaikoura, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

3.Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

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

Paddle Kaikoura’s marine reserve with seals, seabirds, and possible dolphins, guided by local experts on a relaxed three-hour sea kayak tour.

“Our guide, Yasmin, was wonderfully entertaining and informative. She did a great job keeping everyone together and safe out on the water.”

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Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura - Meeting Kaikoura’s Fur Seals
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Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

4.Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

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

Pedal along Kaikoura’s coast for fur seals, dolphins, birds, and possible penguins on a relaxed three-hour guided kayak tour.

“This Seal Kayaking excursion was awesome! Connor was our guide and he was super knowledgeable about the Kaikōura coastline, and the wildlife living there. The foot pedal Kayaks used by this company are very easy to peddle and steer which gives you the ability to take pictures of the animals in the water. During our trip, we had a small pod of dolphins swimming around us, we saw native a blue penguin, and several coastline birds. My husband and I were lucky enough to get a very small tour, and when my husband started feeling seasick, Connor was very accommodating. What a great company and guide!”

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Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier - Paddling the dark waters of Lake Mapourika
Canoes & Kayaks, Franz Josef & Fox Glacier Tours, Tour Reviews

Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier

5.Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier

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

Paddle Lake Mapourika from Franz Josef, spot native wildlife, explore ancient rainforest, and enjoy guide-led kayaking with photos included.

“A lovely experience for family, but be prepared to do most of the work as the kids get tired! Interesting and fun. Our guide Max was knowledgable, extremely patient with our vivacious children and their 18493639 questions and just all round great guide.”

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Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour - Meeting Kaikoura’s fur seals
Canoes & Kayaks, Half-Day, Kaikoura Tours, Kayak Tours in Kaikoura, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

6.Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

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

Paddle Kaikoura’s coast with fur seals, mountain views, and possible dolphins or penguins on a friendly three-hour guided kayak tour.

“We had the most amazing time with Loz, who had a wealth of information about birds and all the sea life, we were even lucky enough to kayak right beside some dusky dolphins! It was an amazing experience”

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Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown - Getting ready for the Dart River
Boat Tours in Queenstown, Canoes & Kayaks, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Ride the Dart River by jet boat and funyak through Mt Aspiring National Park, with lunch, gear, guides, and Queenstown transport included.

“Such an amazing day in Mount Aspiring park! Knowledgeable and helpful guides in Rob, Georgia, John and Toby. Staff provided necessary gear and the lunch was a great spread and accommodated allergies well. Would highly highly recommend to anyone in Glenorchy !”

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Glow Worm Kayak Tour - A gentle launch, then shoreline paddling
Canoes & Kayaks, Kayak Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Glow Worm Kayak Tour

9.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

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

Kayak Rotorua’s lake at dusk, enter glow worm caves, and stargaze under clear skies with gear, guides, and central transfers included.

“I was very much looking forward to this experience, the guides were brilliant, provided a lot of knowledge, and were very kind. Once in a lifetime experience to go and see these creatures in their natural habitat. And with a super clear sky the stars were also an amazing sight.”

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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - The local tasting before sunset
Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Tauranga Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

10.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 311 reviews

Paddle Lake McLaren at sunset, then enter a glow-worm canyon by kayak on Tauranga’s memorable three-hour evening adventure.

“The tour has been very nice! Great nature, great story's while with the glowworms. Dinner is more a snack (crackers, cheese, pineapple, carrots abd one ginger beer). A star leas because it's too pricey for what it is.”

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Auckland: Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters - Starting at Okura Boat Ramp or Waiake Beach
Auckland Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Kayak Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

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 $56

Paddle Auckland’s dark coastal waters as bioluminescent plankton glow blue beneath the stars on this guided small-group kayak tour.

“A fun and truly unique kayak tour. We had a beautiful, dark sky full of stars and a bay all to ourselves. Legend and C. were informative, friendly, and helpful without interrupting the amazing setting. Thank you!”

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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - The local tasting before sunset
Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Tauranga Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

12.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

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

Paddle Lake McLaren at dusk, taste local treats, and watch thousands of glowworms light a canyon under the stars near Tauranga.

“Ellie was so fun and knowledgeable about the area and the glow worms (who knew they arent really worms?!) and she was such a strong kayaker!! The tour started with great cheese, olives and meats, followed by a safety briefing where we received fleeces, water proof coats and life jackets. Even though we brought our own waterproofs with us, Ellie insisted we use theirs for our comfort so our belongings didn’t get wet. She also provided us with Ocean Bags for our phones/cameras! The kayaking itself was in 2s and took around 1.5 hours. We saw LOADS of glow worms and lots of stars - so I’d recommend doing this…”

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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour - Est. 1994 - Two hours in the Long Bay and Okura Marine Reserve
Auckland Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Kayak Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

13.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

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

Paddle Auckland’s dark coast and watch bioluminescent plankton sparkle around your kayak on this beginner-friendly night tour.

“This was a fantastic experience. Eloise was great. Very friendly and informative. She clearly had a thorough knowledge of kayaking and safety. She gave us great tips to make the most of our tour. The water sparkled!!! It was so awesome. Thank you so much.”

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Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island - Landing on the Island and Eating Well
Auckland Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Kayak Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

14.Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

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

Paddle to Rangitoto, hike to its summit for sunset, enjoy a Kiwi BBQ, then kayak back under Auckland’s city lights.

“Incredible! Even in the rain this was a spectacular experience! Definitely want to be in kayak shape to cross the channel! But 100% worth the trip! The guides were super friendly and knowledgeable. My husband and I loved every minute! Just a heads up even though they provide jackets— it’s best to pack warm! And bring a change of clothing if you don’t want to stay wet during the hike. Hope this helps!”

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The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak - Guides who help beginners find their rhythm
Canoes & Kayaks, Maori Cultural Experiences, Maori Experiences in Taupo, Taupo & Tongariro Tours, Tour Reviews

The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak

15.The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · from $83

Paddle Lake Taupo to Maori rock carvings, enjoy volcanic views, birdlife, snacks, photos, and an optional swim on this four-hour kayak tour.

“Great time and excellent service! My husband and I enjoyed kayaking together and the beautiful carvings. We also had time to swim. Make sure to bring sunscreen and water.”

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Where to go, and what to do when you get there

Pick an island, a lake or a cave.