KAYAK CLASSIC
Our original kayak tour – paddle into a hidden rainforest creek on Lake Mapourika’s remote far shore, alive with native birdlife.- 3 HOURS
- FROM $159 NZD
- FREE PHOTOS!
IN THIS SECTION
OVERVIEW
Explore Lake Mapourika on our original three-hour kayak experience, set within the Te Wāhipounamu UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Paddle in a small, friendly group across the lake’s calm, sheltered water with one of our qualified local guides. Suitable for beginners and families – or experienced kayakers alike – the Kayak Classic offers a scenic journey into one of Franz Josef’s most remote natural environments.
The real highlight awaits on the far side of the lake. Follow your guide into a hidden “mirror” creek winding through the predator-free Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, where ancient kahikatea and rimu trees tower above the water and native birds call from the surrounding rainforest. Accessible only by water and rarely visited by others, the creek offers an immersive wilderness kayaking experience.
As the only kayak operator on Lake Mapourika, we tend to have the lake and rainforest creeks entirely to ourselves. Free high-quality photographs are taken throughout your tour and emailed to you afterwards at no extra cost.
PRICES
- Adult
- $159
- Child (3-17 years)
- $99
- Under 3 years
- Check out our Kayak Discovery or Private Kayak Tour
BUNDLE
AND SAVE!
Book 2 tours to save 10% (COMBO10*)
Book 3 tours to save 15% (COMBO15*)
* Direct bookings only. Not valid with other offers. Discounts apply only when booking 2 or more different guided tours with us.
WHAT TO BRING
- Cap or sunglasses
- Camera/phone (optional as we also provide photos)
- Comfy sneakers / sandals (feet stay dry, go for comfort)
- Warm top layer
- Bottom layer: anything but jeans
What’s Included
- FREE high quality digital photos
- Dry Bag
- Paddling Jackets
- PFD
- Wet weather equipment
- Kayak Skirt
- Pogies (kayaking gloves)
- Paddle
REAL STORIES FROM REAL ADVENTURERS
Everybody comes to Franz Josef for the glaciers, and rightly so. But if you have even half a day to spare, the kayak tour on Lake Mapourika is absolutely worth doing. It exceeded all my expectations! Our guide, Oli ran the tour like a pro. Everything was super well organized, his instructions were clear, and he shared fascinating insights about the lake, its surrounding vegetation, birdlife, and all sorts of fun facts along the way. The beauty of Lake Mapourika is truly hard to put into words, calm, reflective waters surrounded by lush rainforest and mountain views. Just stunning. Bonus: Oli takes photos throughout the tour for us and turns out he’s a fantastic photographer. We walked away with some great memories and even better pictures.
Lin Zhang
REAL STORIES FROM REAL ADVENTURERS
I had the best time on this kayak tour- stunning scenery, peaceful waters, and an unforgettable experience all around. But what really made it stand out was our guide, Ollie. He wasn’t just knowledgeable—he was the most well informed person I have met in New Zealand when it comes to nature. I can tell Ollie cares deeply about local ecology and he was engaging and fun. He didn’t have memorized scripts like so many tours. He is a genuine skilled naturalist, and was eager to share his knowledge. I learned more on this short paddle than I did over 2 weeks here. If you are considering this tour, do it—and if you are lucky enough to have Ollie as your guide, you are in for something special. Thanks, Ollie, for an incredible day on the water!
DJ
REAL STORIES FROM REAL ADVENTURERS
We spent 2 weeks driving around the South Island and did many interesting activities. This Kayaking activity on the lake was one of the best we did. The lake was so beautiful and calm, Kayaking was easy and enjoyable. The two team members from Franz Joseph Wilderness also made a massive difference, they were professional and friendly and we felt that they were part of our group. Great energy and passion. If anyone is passing through Franz Joseph and has 1/2 day to spare, I highly recommend this activity.
Manjula Jayasinghe
GALLERY
FAQS
How long is the Kayak Classic, and how much time is spent kayaking?
Allow three hours for the complete experience, including transport, preparation and approximately 2 hours 25 minutes kayaking. The tour crosses Lake Mapourika and explores the hidden rainforest creek on the remote far shore.
Is the Kayak Classic suitable for children?
Yes. Children aged three and over can join the Kayak Classic, and our stable double kayaks work particularly well for families. Morning departures are generally the best choice when kayaking with younger children. If you are travelling with a child under three, please contact us—the shorter Kayak Discovery or a Private Kayak Tour may be more suitable.
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. We often spot White Herons as they feed along the lake’s shoreline, as well kea and many native bush birds. Our kayak tour guides are experts a pointing out native birds to help you spot them along the way.
What is the difference between the Kayak Classic, Discovery and Kayak & Walk tours?
The Kayak Discovery is our shortest and easiest option, with approximately one hour kayaking along the sheltered shoreline. The Kayak Classic crosses Lake Mapourika and enters the hidden rainforest creek on the far shore. The Kayak & Walk includes the lake crossing followed by a guided walk on our exclusive rainforest track, accessible only by water.
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!
Do I need previous kayaking experience?
No. The Kayak Classic is suitable for first-time and experienced kayakers. We use stable double kayaks, and your guide will provide a full safety briefing and paddling instruction before you set off. You do not need to know how to swim, as a correctly fitted life jacket is worn throughout the tour.
How large are the groups?
Most of our Kayak Classic departures have between 2 and 6 guests. Numbers can vary by departure, but every tour remains fully guided, friendly and personal, with plenty of time for your guide to assist everyone and share their local knowledge.
Does the tour operate in wet weather?
Yes. Kayaking can be especially atmospheric in light rain, when the rainforest is vibrant and mist settles around the surrounding mountains. We provide paddling jackets and wet-weather equipment. If conditions are considered unsafe, we will cancel the tour and offer an alternative or a full refund.
CANCELLATION
We want you to be confident when you book directly with us! We provide hassle-free full refunds without any penalties. We do ask that any cancellations and changes are made a full 24 hours prior to the trip time. Cancellations made within the 24 hour time frame cannot be refunded (for any reason including medical or other) so please let us know in time if you need to change, or cancel your booking! Private/Group bookings or charters incur a 48 hour cancellation policy.
We reserve the right to cancel tours if minimum numbers are not met or in the event of unsafe conditions, in which case full refunds are issued.
We're here to help, so feel free to drop us an email if you have any questions.
