10 Awesome Places to Go Kayaking in New Zealand


I like kayaking. It may be each stress-free and thrilling, relying on the place you’re and how briskly you paddle. It will probably present a exercise and decelerate time. It can provide you an entire new perspective on a few of New Zealand’s most stunning areas. You’ll be able to rent kayaks virtually anyplace, and plenty of locations have guided excursions, though I want going at my very own tempo and exploring. Listed under are ten locations in New Zealand that I feel are superior for kayaking. You need to examine them out while you’re over right here.

1) The Marlborough Sounds

The Marlborough Sounds are positioned on the high of the South Island. They’re well-known for heat sunshine, balmy wines and turquoise waters. It is the proper place to kayak Campground Chicago as a result of the ocean is calm and sheltered and the surroundings is gorgeous, all emerald bush and dolphins and seals and penguins. What I actually need to do within the Marlborough Area is go kayaking on the Pelorus River – that is the place they filmed the barrel bit in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. It is bought enjoyable little rapids in addition to stretches of tranquil magnificence, snaking between rock partitions, waterfalls and picturesque forest. I’ve already been to numerous Lord of the Rings areas, however I am unable to wait to return to the South Island for this one.

2) Lake McLaren

McLaren Falls Park is a incredible place to kayak. Simply outdoors Tauranga within the Bay of A lot, it is an absolute haven for picnickers (so long as you are sporting insect repellent,) boasting a lake festooned with timber, a spectacular waterfall, swimming holes and, when night comes, glowworms. In truth, Waimarino Journey Park and Kayak Excursions does a night kayak tour throughout Lake McLaren to see the glowworms at the hours of darkness. You paddle proper beneath them! Even higher, you may camp proper subsequent to the lake for under $5 per grownup – children are free – and you do not have to guide.

3) Kaikoura

There are three causes to go to Kaikoura: dolphins, whales and seals – and what higher option to see them than by kayaking? Kaikoura is about two-and-a-half hours north of Christchurch. Not solely is there an adbundance of marine wildlife that comes proper as much as your kayak, as you kayak there are snow-capped mountains within the background. Though it will possibly get a bit chilly kayaking in Kaikoura, the magical ingredient of wildlife interplay positively makes it price your whereas.

4) Abel Tasman Nationwide Park

Simply throughout Tasman Bay from the Marlborough Sounds, Abel Tasman Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the most stunning locations in New Zealand. With golden seashores and clear, blue sea, it could be an exquisite place to kayak even with out the seal colony and the gorgeous Cut up Apple Rock. There are heaps of kayaking firms working across the Abel Tasman, providing kayak leases and excursions starting from a number of hours to 3 days.

5) Cathedral Cove

I feel Cathedral Cove is the very best seaside in New Zealand, however when you do not fancy taking an unexpectedly lengthy and barely arduous stroll, the one option to get there may be by sea. You’ll be able to kayak there from Hahei Seashore within the Coromandel, or be part of a tour group. Cathedral Cove is called for one in all its magnificent rock formations, a grand, arching cave that, while you search for from inside, resembles a cathedral. It is spectacular surroundings to paddle round, and it is a marine reserve as properly, so that you get an entire array of fairly fish and, when you’re fortunate, dolphins.

6) Mount Maunganui

The Bay of A lot’s Mount Maunganui is a superb place for kayaking round. On one aspect of the Mount is a golden surf seaside; on the opposite is a sheltered harbour. It is enjoyable to paddle amongst the larger boats within the harbour and across the base of the Mount, previous some fascinating rocks to your individual non-public seaside. Matakana Island appears excellent within the background. New Zealand fur seals congregate round Mount Maunganui within the winter, and there are often some stingrays drifting alongside under the floor. And you recognize what animals actually prefer to eat stingrays? Killer whales. Think about encountering a pod of orca whereas in a kayak!

7) The Avon River

One of the nice kayaking experiences of my life was on the Avon River in Christchurch. Proper within the coronary heart of town, the Avon River runs by the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, making for a superbly peaceable paddle. You’ll be able to rent kayaks from The Antigua Boat Sheds, that are over 100 and thirty years outdated. It is a splendidly old school expertise and, regardless of its air of sophistication, you may nonetheless have plenty of enjoyable. I bear in mind racing my dad and sister and, in fact, profitable. In order for you a pleasant, straightforward kayaking expertise, that is for you.

8) Milford Sound

My household visited Milford Sound on our South Island campervan tour. It will probably get fairly chilly and wet there, however the water is sort of a darkish mirror, reflecting an space of excellent magnificence. Towering waterfalls cascade into the sound, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Bottlenose dolphins break the floor and mist rises from the luscious rainforest. Kayaking is one of the best ways to discover the sound. Until you are a very skilled kayaker, nevertheless, you must go as a part of a tour group, as circumstances on Milford Sound are very changeable.

9) The Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands instantly feels like a picturesque place to kayak, and I am right here to inform you that it’s. In addition to islands to circumnavigate, there are caves and archways of rock to discover, together with mangroves, lagoons and waterfalls. It is in all probability the warmest place to go kayaking in New Zealand. There’s an abundance of wildlife to come across, together with dolphins and gannets. On high of being a terrific place to kayak, the Bay of Islands has a considerably fascinating historical past, as I discovered once I visited Kerikeri.

10) Lake Taupo

Taupo is New Zealand’s largest lake, fashioned when a supervolcano went off hundreds of years in the past. You already know that huge, blue blotch in the course of the map? That is it. You’ll be able to have a straightforward, light kayak on the lake itself, or you may expertise the rapids of the varied rivers than enter it. It has these superb Maori rock carvings you may kayak as much as, plus the entire space is actively volcanic, so there are pure sizzling swimming pools round. Trout fishing is widespread in Taupo, and there are kayak fishing excursions out there – not that I might fancy it. Whether or not or not you intend on kayaking, Taupo’s simply a type of locations you have to go to in your New Zealand vacation.


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