Kayak Tours
One of the South Island’s top rated kayak tours awaits you…
Kayak in Franz Josef Glacier
Explore further in Franz Josef on one of our top-rated guided kayak tour adventures. Lake Mapourika’s calm water and scenery make it one of New Zealand’s finest kayaking destinations. Free photographs are included with each tour.
Kayak Classic
The Original Franz Josef Kayak Adventure awaits you…
Glide effortlessly across the water taking in the panoramic views of the Southern Alps and Glaciers – the scenery is world-class! Follow your guide into a hidden creek through the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary and experience some of the region’s untouched Jurassic rainforest and pristine wilderness.
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- Free high quality photos are included with each kayak tour!
- Explore the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary & the UNESCO World Heritage Site
- One of the South Island’s Top-Rated Kayak Adventures
PRICES:
NZ $130 Adult
NZ $80 Child (17 & under)
DURATION
Allow 3 hours
ADULTS: $130
Kayak & Walk
Our premium kayak tour is your opportunity to explore some of Westland’s oldest untouched rainforest! Enjoy exclusive access to our custom-built rainforest trail within the Okarito Kiwi Conservation area. On this kayak tour you will learn about the kiwi conservation, spot native birdlife and experience the pristine wilderness of the West Coast in a truly unique and remote part of Franz Josef Glacier.
Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee along the way, prepared by your kayak tour guide. This is an opportunity not to be missed and can be experienced by all ages and abilities.
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Includes FREE high quality digital photographs taken by your kayak tour guide.
Explore the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary & the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Walk through a private rainforest trail – all to the sound of native birdsong!
Tea & Coffee included.
WINTER SALE PRICES:
NZ $145 Adult — Normally: $155
NZ $79 Child (17 years & under) — Normally: $85
DURATION
Allow 4 hours
NOTE
Hot drinks provided.
ON SALE: $145
Sunset Classic
Currently, during winter, our afternoon Kayak Classic trips are the Sunset Tours!
Sunset Kayak Tours Available from November 1st to March 31st.
Embark on our original Lake Mapourika kayak adventure in the soft evening light of the West Coast’s golden hour. This kayak tour follows the same route as our Kayak Classic Tour but operates in the evenings during our summer season.
Experience the peace and quiet of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary which is nestled at the back of Lake Mapourika. As you paddle home you’ll experience an unbeatable view as the sun begins to set below the South Island’s tallest mountains and glaciers.
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- Free high quality photographs are included with each kayak tour.
- Explore the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary & the UNESCO World Heritage Site
- One of the South Island’s Top-Rated Kayak Adventures
PRICES
ADULTS (NZD): $135
CHILDREN (NZD): $85 Child (17 years and under)
DURATION
Allow 3 hours
ADULT NZD $135
Boat & SUP the Kiwi Sanctuary
The ultimate Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) experience awaits you! Enjoy the best of both worlds: a scenic boat road across the lake and a guided paddleboard adventure! Depart on our comfortable, fully covered, scenic cruise boat across Lake Mapourika to the remote calm estuaries of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary. Here you’ll jump off the boat and onto your SUP with a skilled Stand-up paddleboard instructor. Explore a hidden creek and paddleboard in the most amazing landscape of the Southern Alps and Glaciers.
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Instruction from our SUP Instructor & SUP Guide
Free high quality digital photographs included
Explore the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary & the UNESCO World Heritage Site
Complimentary tea & coffee onboard our tour boat
PRICES
NZ $145 Adult
NZ $95 Child (17 year and under)
FROM $145
SUP Adventure
Join us for a Paddleboard trip on one of New Zealand’s most scenic SUP venues! Lake Mapourika’s calm reflective waters and scenic backdrop make for one of the best spots to hop on a paddleboard. Explore the Jurassic rainforest and sheltered bays with your experienced SUP instructor.
This SUP tour may have limited availability during the off-season.
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No experience required. Most people comment on how incredibly stable, and safe they felt on our inflatable paddleboards!
PRICE
NZ $89 Adult
NZ $79 Child (17 years and under)
DURATION
Allow 2 hours
FROM $89
WHAT TO BRING:
No denim please!
Cap or sunglasses
Camera (optional, as we also provide FREE photos)
SUP Tours: Towel / swimwear or thermals depending on season
Kayak & Walk: Lunch or snack
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
Free high-quality digital photos
Dry bags
Splash Jackets or wet weather gear
Quality kayak or SUP equipment
Courtesy transport (if required)
Sunscreen / insect repellent
VIDEO
REVIEWS
We took the morning tour and it was fantastic. The waters were calm and the morning clouds were lifting. Laura and Reiss were our guides. They were informative, personable and informed. They talked about current conservation objectives and provided a safe and fun environment. My partner and I are seniors and had no problem keeping up. There were adequate rest periods and beautiful views.
Simi, New York, USA
This was a great way to spend a few hours in an idyllic setting. Our guide Johnny was excellent – so friendly and full of knowledge about our surroundings. Highly recommended, thanks!
Gary, Liverpool UK
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.