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 $149
- FREE PHOTOS!
IN THIS SECTION
OVERVIEW
Explore Lake Mapourika on our original kayak experience, set within a UNESCO World Heritage landscape on the edge of Westland Tai Poutini National Park. In a small, friendly group, paddle across the lake’s mirror-like water with our qualified local guides, making it an enjoyable experience for all ages and abilities.
Follow your guide into a hidden creek winding through untouched, pristine native rainforest within the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary, where towering canopy trees can be over 1200 years old. Rich in native birdlife and rarely visited by others, this is one of the most peaceful and immersive kayaking experiences on the West Coast.
Free photographs are taken by your guides throughout the tour and emailed to you afterwards, at no extra cost.
PRICES
- Adult
- $149 (from Oct. 1st – $159)
- Child (3-17 years)
- $95 (from Oct. 1st – $99)
- Under 3 years
- ENQUIRE
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 the promo code.
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
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.
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.
