Looking for a family-friendly activity in Franz Josef that gets everyone outdoors and away from their screens? Why not try something new and surround the family with untouched native rainforests and some of the easiest – most family friendly kayaking conditions in New Zealand!
Kayaking on Lake Mapourika provides easy and rewarding adventures for families visiting the West Coast. Just a few minutes from Franz Josef township, this calm lake offers spectacular mountain views and abundant native birdlife. It’s also set within ancient rainforest in a UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Unlike many other kayaking destinations, there are no tides or ocean currents to worry about, making it an ideal place for children to experience kayaking for the first time. You can also choose a departure time that suits your family’s plans, rather than working around tidal conditions.
Morning mist on a beautiful crisp West Coast Morning!
What Age Can Children Join?
All our full-length kayak tours are suitable for children aged 3 years and older, with younger children under 3 able to join Private Kayak Tour experiences or our Kayak Discovery Tour which can be tailored to their needs. We provide properly fitted lifejackets for all ages and use stable double sea kayaks designed for comfort and safety.
Families are typically paired with one adult and one child in each kayak, making paddling easy and enjoyable. If there’s an odd number in your group, one of our experienced guides can often help out, ensuring everyone enjoys the adventure.
For families with younger children 3 years and older, our Kayak & Walk tour is one of our favourite options! The tour begins with a short paddle across Lake Mapourika before stepping ashore in the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary for a guided nature walk. It gives kids a chance to stretch their legs, explore the rainforest and enjoy a hot cup of cocoa along the way.
Kids enjoying some complimentary hot chocolate and their own packed lunch on our Kayak & Walk Tour!
Our Kayak Classic tour is also well suited to families of all ages as well. Older children often love the chance to get to steer the kayaks and practice fun skills as they paddle through the meandering rainforest creek with their guide. Pose for photos in the rainforest creek – all of which you’ll receive free after the tour.
We’re the only Safety Audited kayaking company on the West Coast so you can relax, knowing you and your children are in good hands…
More Than Just Kayaking
What makes kayaking on Lake Mapourika special isn’t simply the paddling. It’s the experience of exploring a place that feels completely untouched, so different to other kayaking destinations in New Zealand.
You’ll glide beneath ancient kahikatea trees that are reminiscent of the Jurassic era and paddle through hidden rainforest creeks. Explore a side of Franz Josef that many visitors never discover and spot some of New Zealand’s rarest birds like the White Heron. As the only kayak operator on Lake Mapourika, it’s not uncommon to spend long periods on the water without seeing another group. Creating a genuine wilderness experience.
Making Family Memories
Some of our favourite tour moments with our own kids have been spent on Lake Mapourika. We’d love nothing more than to share this experience with yours. The quiet moments, like a child spotting a White Heron for the first time – or watching a fantail follow us through the rainforest on our guided nature trail. Mornings on Lake Mapourika are simply magical! Some of the best moments are spent as a family, drifting silently across a mirror lake. Bonus: teenagers might put their phone away and simply enjoying being outdoors in the moment!
Since our guides take complimentary photographs throughout the tour, you can focus on enjoying the experience while we capture the moments for you.
My 2 kids out exploring Lake Mapourika with me (Bronwyn – owner Franz Josef Wilderness Tours).
Planning Your Family Kayak Adventure
If you’re looking for a family-friendly activity in Franz Josef that combines wildlife, scenery and a little adventure, kayaking on Lake Mapourika is hard to beat.
Older kids, or younger kids – our guided kayak tours offer a safe, relaxed and memorable way to experience one of New Zealand’s most unique wilderness environments.
If you’re not sure how your trip might work here’s some common tour makeups for families that kayak with us:
- We pair kids with adults, so a family of 4 will have 1 adult and 1 child in each stable double sea kayak
- If there’s an “odd one out” the guide take’s someone in the front of their kayak! Talk about the best seat in the house? This is also great as our guides are experts at entertaining, and you can guarantee that your child will finish the trip with a grin from ear to ear.
- Teenagers can share a double kayak together, and they often surprise us with their kayak skills!
- Believe it or not, infants can be totally happy in a kayak too. We do offer shorter trips if you get in touch and ask us or check our private tour options! A trip of around 1 hour is a great taster for little paddlers to follow the shoreline and enjoy the views, often from mum or dads lap in our stable sea kayak. What a sensory experience!
A beautiful moment between these two during a family tour on Lake Mapourika!
Did we mention we also take photographs for you along the way? These are emailed out FREE after the tour, so you can truly enjoy the moment…
If you’re ready to hit the water head over to our Kayak Tours page and choose the best option for you and your family. We can’t wait to get you out there!
What wildlife can you see on Lake Mapourika?
Lake Mapourika is home to a wide variety of native wildlife, including kōtuku (white heron), kōtare (sacred kingfisher), tūī, bellbirds, kererū, fantails, ducks, shags, kea, kakariki, robins, tomtits, longfin eels and numerous other native bird species... there's too many to list!
Are white herons found on Lake Mapourika?
Yes. Kōtuku are regularly seen around Lake Mapourika throughout the year. They often feed along the shoreline and are one of the most sought-after wildlife sightings for visitors to the region.
Is Lake Mapourika good for birdwatching?
Lake Mapourika is considered one of the best birdwatching locations on the West Coast thanks to its combination of rainforest, wetland and freshwater habitats that support a wide range of native birds.
Why is kayaking on Lake Mapourika good for wildlife viewing?
Kayaks move quietly along the water, allowing us to observe wildlife with minimal disturbance. They also provide access to sheltered waterways and remote sections of the lake where birds and other wildlife are often encountered. You can join guided tours with us to allow our passionate nature guides to help you spot birds. Or hire a kayak to explore on your own.
Can you see wildlife on a Lake Mapourika boat tour?
Yes. Scenic cruises regularly encounter native birds including kōtuku, kōtare, tūī, bellbirds and kererū (to name a few). Boat tours also allow guests to learn about the lake's ecology, history and conservation from knowledgeable local guides.
Can you see kiwi on Lake Mapourika?
The surrounding rainforest provides habitat for the rowi, New Zealand's rarest kiwi. While rowi are nocturnal and rarely seen during the day, visitors often explore areas where these birds live and breed.
What makes Lake Mapourika different from other wildlife locations on the West Coast?
Lake Mapourika offers a unique combination of rainforest, wetland, freshwater and alpine influences within one location. This diversity of habitats supports an exceptional range of wildlife and creates outstanding opportunities for viewing native species from both kayaks and scenic cruises.
