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Franz Josef
Wilderness Tours

Wilderness kayak tours, boat tours & quad bike adventures in Franz Josef.
ALL TOURS

KAYAK TOURS, BOAT TOURS
& OFF-ROAD ADVENTURES

Explore beyond the Glaciers with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours. Join a mirror-lake Kayak Tour a Scenic Boat Tour or Fishing trip on Lake Mapourika – OR join an thrilling Off-Road Adventure Tour!  The best of Franz Josef Glacier is at your fingertips…

Kayak Tours Lake Mapourika Franz Josef Glacier

Kayak Tours

Top rated Kayak adventures & Paddleboard tours on Lake Mapourika & the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Relax and enjoy the moment with free photographs included with each tour.

Boat Tours Lake Mapourika Franz Josef Wilderness Tours

Boat Tours

Personalised eco boat tours with Dale (the owner and operator), boasting 15+ years of guiding expertise in the region. Enjoy Lake Mapourika and it's surrounds in comfort in our fully covered tour boat.

Franz Josef Wilderness Quad Bike Off Road Adventure Tours

Off-Road Adventures

Experience Franz Josef Glacier’s ultimate wet weather activity!  Our off-road adventure tours explore ancient glacial riverbeds, rainforest, grasslands and more!

KAYAK TOURS & BOAT TOURS
LAKE MAPOURIKA

Experiencing a magical mirror lake a must-do while visiting the West Coast.  Our kayak tour adventures have been one of Franz Josef Glacier’s top rated activities for many years.  Book a morning tour for perfectly serene rainforest and mirror lake reflections boasting panoramic views of many Glaciers and the West Coast of New Zealand’s tallest peaks.

Franz Josef Wilderness Tours (formerly Glacier Country Kayaks) also offer scenic boat tours and salmon or brown trout Fishing Charters.  Boat tour and kayak tour options also include guided rainforest walks through the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary.  This stunning part of Franz Josef lies within the Westland Tai Poutini National Park and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, we take ownership and care for the natural environment in which we operate.

 

OFF ROAD ADVENTURE
QUAD BIKES & BUGGY TOURS

Our safe and passionate quad bike tour guides will show you the glacier region from new perspectives, as you ride through glacial riverbeds and splash through puddles in our Jurassic rainforest trails.  On a sunny day we experience panoramic glacier views – but when it rains is when the fun begins…

As we like to say “the wetter the better” our adventure quad bike and buggy tours are Franz Josef Glacier’s ultimate rain day activity! 

On all our tours from Lake Mapourika to the Waiho riverbed’s quad bike tracks; we promise to deliver an engaging tour experience you won’t forget! We’ll snap high quality pictures of you along the way so you can focus on enjoying the scenery.  These are sent out FREE to all our guests after each trip. 

As previous guests have raved: “It truly is one of the best things to do in Franz Josef!”

It’s no wonder this region is classed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage site! Let’s explore our slice of paradise together…

KAYAK HIRE & PADDLEBOARDS

Hire a sea kayak or stand-up padddleboard (SUP) to explore Lake Mapourika at your own pace! Enjoy Lake Mapourika & the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary to the silence of your paddle strokes.  

Half Day Kayak Hire

Hire a kayak or Stand Up Paddleboard to explore the lake at your own pace!
Double sea kayak rental, quality stable paddleboard’s (SUP’s) & more…

Couple In Rainforest On Full Day Sea Kayak Hire In Franz Josef

Full Day Kayak Hire

You can easily fill a whole day exploring Lake Mapourika by kayak.  Swim, relax and enjoy a day on the water.  Learn More.

Stand-Up Paddleboard Hire

Hire a SUP (Stand-up Paddleboard) and explore the sheltered bays and beaches of Lake Mapourika.  A great option during the summer months.

One of the best Things to Do
in Franz Josef Glacier…

​Did you know we’ve been rated the #1 Franz Josef Tour on TripAdvisor for the last 7 years? There’s a tour for everyone whether you’re into a kayak tour or a relaxing scenic cruise in our comfortable, fully covered tour boat or an exhilarating off-road adventure tour!

View the wildlife up close on any Lake Mapourika trip, including the majestic White Heron (Kotuku) which visit the lake year round.  On a clear day, enjoy views as far as Mt. Cook and Mt. Tasman from the Lake.

Our off-road adventure tours take you on a wild journey around the Waiho riverbed which flows from the Franz Josef Glacier, as well as the rainforest and grasslands alongside it!  The diversity of terrain and our experienced guides provide fun for all levels of riding experience. 

Ride solo on a single quad bike or bring a mate on one of our unique 2-seater Can-am vehicles.  Our three seater adventure buggy’s are comfortable and easy to drive – great for families and those looking for the most comfort!  

 

 

Double Seater Quad Bike Franz josef and travelers choice award  winner
Kayaks on Lake Mapourika in Franz Josef Glacier travelers choice winners

TripAdvisor Reviews

Absolutely brillliant! Great fun, well looked after, everyone from the office to the guide was lovely and helpful. We had a hoot!

Perth, Australia

We loved every minute of this well organised kayak on the lake. The guide was knowledgeable, friendly and professional. Excellent views and reflections of the mountains and the flora in the lakes. We even had a closeup visit to a white heron. Highly recommended!

Simi, New York, USA

I cannot recommend this enough! I’ve now done it twice in 3 years and both times it was spectacular, both in terms of scenery and overall experience. Our guide was fun and knowledgeable and was taking candid snaps all throughout the trip that we had access to later on. I highly recommend the morning trip, as that’s when the water is like glass and it feels so serene gliding over it. It truly is one of the best experiences in Franz Josef.

Hourikhat, Sydney, Australia

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