The climate of New Zealand varies from temperate to subtropical depending on the region. The North Island has a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters. On the South Island, the climate is colder, especially in the mountains. In any case, you can find a suitable time and place for kayaking at any time of the year.

In the summer (December to February), the temperature on the North Island usually ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius, making this period ideal for open water kayaking. However, you need to remember that summers can be quite humid, especially in the northern regions. On the South Island, summers are a bit cooler, but extremely beautiful and charming.

In winter (June to August), temperatures can drop to 10-15 degrees Celsius, especially in the mountains. However, it can also be a great time for kayaking, especially in the quiet ponds and breathtaking rivers. In winter, you can enjoy quieter waters and a greater opportunity to see wildlife.

Regardless of when you choose to go kayaking in New Zealand, you will definitely need to bring sun and water protection gear, as well as a good supply of water and food. You should also keep in mind safety and compliance with the rules of navigation, especially on open waters.

So, regardless of the season, New Zealand offers many opportunities for exciting kayaking. Discover the beauty of this unique country from the water and enjoy an unforgettable kayaking experience.

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A variety of water routes

New Zealand is famous for its diversity of nature, and this also applies to its water routes. You can choose between tranquil river excursions where you can enjoy scenic views and tranquility, and raging mountain streams that invite you to a real adventure.

Natural beauty

Kayaking on the rivers of New Zealand will allow you to enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the local nature. You will be able to observe wildlife such as birds and fish and watch nature change around you depending on which river you are on. From deep forests to huge mountain ranges, every kayaking trip offers a new experience.

Different levels of difficulty

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced kayaker, New Zealand has routes for every level of difficulty. You can choose calm river trips where you will float peacefully on the surface of the water, or choose more challenging streams that will test your skills and give you unforgettable emotions.

Easy to organize

Organizing kayaking in New Zealand is quite easy. Many tour operators offer package tours with kayak rentals and other equipment, as well as guides to help you discover the best kayaking spots. In addition, many regions have specialized kayak centers where you can get advice and training before setting out on a water trip.

All in all, river kayaking in New Zealand is a great way to enjoy nature and have an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation in the middle of nature or an exciting adventure, kayaking in New Zealand will open up many new possibilities for you. Embark on water routes and feel your problems and stresses stay on the shore, while you enjoy the freedom that a kayak provides. New Zealand is waiting for you with open arms, ready to make your adventure discovery on the rivers unforgettable.

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Coromandel Peninsula

The Coromandel Peninsula is known for its spectacular scenery, long sandy beaches and friendly resort towns with unique attractions for visitors. The Coromandel is a popular vacation destination for both New Zealanders and tourists from all over the world.

Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands is famous for some of the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand. The Bay of Islands Marine Park consists of 144 islands, secluded coves, and a large number of marine life such as marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, and puffins.

The moody sound

The virgin forest, sheer cliffs, and rushing waterfalls are a breathtaking sight. The local inhabitants include aphalas, New Zealand fur seals and Fjordland crested penguins

Abel Tasman

Abel Tasman National Park is known for its pristine golden sand beaches forming a point from Tasman Bay to Golden Bay at the top of New Zealand’s South Island – Nelson, New Zealand. It is the smallest national park in New Zealand, but unique in the world as a coastal recreation area for New Zealand hiking and walking. With its mild and sunny climate, curving golden sand beaches, large, quiet lagoons and forested hills on the edge of turquoise seas, Abel Tasman National Park is a pocket of paradise on the coast. In the upper part of the South Island, Nelson and Golden Bay are fast becoming areas of tourist interest for cultural and crafts, ceramics, and unique scenic beauty.

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The duration of a kayaking trip in New Zealand depends on many factors, such as the route, distance, weather conditions, your experience level, and physical fitness. All these factors can affect how much time you want to spend on the water.

If you are planning a short kayaking vacation, you can choose day trips, which usually last from a few hours to a day. This can be ideal for those who have limited time or just want to try kayaking for the first time.

However, for a deeper sense of nature and adventure, multi-day kayaking trips are a great option. They allow you to spend more time on the water and allow you to explore more territory. The duration of such trips can vary from a few days to several weeks, depending on the route you choose and your desire.

For example, a kayaking trip in Fiordland can take anywhere from a few days to a week. You can start your journey from Te Anawa Lake and paddle through incredible waterfalls and steep cliffs, visiting places like Milford Sound or Doutless Bay. This will give you the opportunity to enjoy the spectacular beauty of Fiordland and explore its unique ecosystem.

Thus, the duration of a kayaking trip in New Zealand can vary and depends on your schedule, conditions and your personal preferences. No matter what type of trek you choose, it promises to be an unforgettable experience that you will remember long after it is over.

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Wilderness Guides can show you Marlborough Sounds in New Zealand like no other!

Marlborough Sounds, located at the top of the South Island, is quickly becoming the destination of choice for visitors seeking wildlife and adventure while enjoying personal comfort and many options for relaxed or challenging experiences.

Your guides are locals who live, work and play in this fantastic region. Feel their passion and dedication – this is where your adventure begins!

Kayaking in Abel Tasman

Discover the magic of Abel Tasman National Park with Kahu Kayaks. Immerse yourself in the pristine beauty of this New Zealand paradise as you embark on a kayaking adventure like no other.

Let us guide you through turquoise waters, golden beaches, and lush forests as you explore the rich history and diverse wildlife.

Kaiteriteri Kayaks Abel Tasman

Kaiteriteri Kayaks has been showcasing over 50 kilometers of stunning coastline in Abel Tasman National Park for over 20 years. We offer kayak hire right off Kaiteriteri Beach, guided kayak trips for half, full and multi-day trips.

Dozens of golden sand beaches to visit, bays and lagoons with lots of interesting nooks and crannies to explore, and a world of sea and birdlife to encounter with animals like penguins, seals and dolphins.

Pelorous Eco Hobbit Tour

Even though it’s not a kayak but an inflatable canoe, we thought this adventure should still be included in the best places to go kayaking

Take in some of New Zealand’s most beautiful scenery as you paddle an inflatable canoe down the Pelorus River, Havelock with Pelorus Eco Adventures, a family-run New Zealand kayaking company that offers full guided kayaking tours of the Pelorus River suitable for all experience levels.

Kayaking West Coast of the South Island

Book a guided kayaking excursion with Wilderness Tours for a kayaking trip you’ll never forget, where you’ll get to see the unique landscape of Franz Josef up close, from the protected wetlands of the Westland, the pristine forest and rugged coastline to the spectacular Southern Alps.

As you paddle through protected kiwi habitat, you’ll enjoy unrivaled panoramic views of mountains and glaciers. With several guided kayaking tours, your amazing kayaking adventure is only a short drive from Franz Josef Glacier.

Hanmer Springs Canoeing Adventures

If you want to experience a canoe trip through the Waiau River Gorge in Hanmer followed by a jet boat ride, then this trip is for you! This two-hour canoeing adventure starts at the Amuri River Rafting and Jet Boat Base, where your guide will dress you in your safety gear and then give you a safety briefing and show you paddling techniques as you travel down the Waiau River.

Kayaking in Kaikoura

Experience the kayaking adventure of your life! Catch up with local fur seals, blue penguins and dark dolphins as they dive and dive around Kaikoura’s picturesque coastline. Our qualified instructors are trained professionals who can skillfully talk you through comprehensive safety procedures and paddling techniques to keep you safe and dry, from our guided seal kayaking tours, family kayaking and sunset kayaking tours to stand up paddleboard or sit down kayak rentals.

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What better way to experience the maritime paradise that is the Bay of Islands than on a sea kayaking tour. Bay of Islands Kayaking is fully Kiwi owned and operated and is the only sea kayaking company in New Zealand to offer day trips to the main islands of the Bay of Islands.

Sea kayaking tour options range from fun day tours to specially planned multi-day tours, and our mission is to offer you an unforgettable kayaking experience in New Zealand. Explore the islands, kayak with dolphins, paddle under a waterfall or fish for delicious snapper… Enjoy the beautiful weather, stunning views and white sand beaches…

Auckland Sea Kayaks

Join Auckland Sea Kayaks, a leading sea kayaking company, for a relaxing day in the waters of Auckland’s Hauraki Bay, a sea kayaker’s paradise. Auckland is one of the world’s most unique sea kayaking destinations, a region of exceptional natural beauty, volcanic islands, sandy beaches and abundant marine wildlife.

Auckland Sea Kayaks offers exceptional kayaking adventures from 1/2 day to 5 days. Guided by very experienced and knowledgeable sea kayakers, no sea kayaking experience is required for any of their adventures.

Waimarino Kayak Tours

Waimarino Kayak Tours Tauranga boasts some of the best kayaking tours in New Zealand.

Located in the beautiful heart of the Bay of Plenty, Waimarino Kayak Tours offers some of the most exhilarating kayaking adventures in New Zealand.

With four incredible Tauranga kayaking tours that include the most popular Firefly and Cave Kayaking Tour, as well as scenic kayaking tours on Lake McLaren, sea kayaking in Tauranga Harbor, and a kayaking tour on the Wairoa River.

Kayaking on Lake Rotorua

Are you visiting Rotorua and want to see the lakes from a new perspective? Then join Kayak Rotorua for one of their unique kayaking tours.

The geothermal kayaking tour explores the shorelines of Lake Rotoiti to the natural hot water flow that flows into the lake. Explore the stream and relax in the waters of a natural spa, a truly unique bathing experience that is different from the mass tourist hot springs in town.

Kayaking on Lake Taupo

Taupo Kayaking Adventures allows you to kayak on the crystal clear waters of New Zealand’s largest freshwater lake, its rivers and tributaries, enjoying beautiful views from the lake that include native bushland, an active volcano, Maori rock art and unspoiled areas that can only be reached by water.

Outdoor paddling focuses on exploring the natural environment without disturbing its precious ecosystems and wildlife. With unparalleled natural beauty, fascinating history, gourmet outdoor dining and passionate, knowledgeable guides, we offer a unique kayaking experience to remember.

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If any of the above words describe the activity you and your group are looking for, then a Glowworm kayaking tour is for you.

This is a truly unique experience; while you can see glow worms elsewhere in New Zealand, and you can sea kayak in many places around the world, this is the only place where the two come together for a magical and truly unique experience. This glow worm kayaking tour is great fun with great snacks, beautiful views, fantastic birds and incredible fireflies.

Enjoy delicious drinks on the shores of Lake McLaren. Our kayak guides will prepare and teach you how to kayak efficiently before sending you out on beautiful Lake McLaren at dusk to kayak to the mysterious Firefly Canyon.

The glowworms are located in a narrow canyon with high slopes at the top of the lake, not in a cave, so our kayaking tour only leaves once a day before sunset, so when we reach the glowworm canyon it’s already completely dark, just right for the best view of the glowworms.

You may have tried kayaking before, but you probably haven’t kayaked at night (we provide headlamps) and certainly haven’t kayaked in the dark to see firefly constellations. This is a fully guided kayaking tour where our professional guides will lead your group and provide a fascinating and informative brief about the life cycle and characteristics of the New Zealand mushroom mosquito (firefly).

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KAYAK

There are many different types of kayaks available, and you want to make sure that the one you have is suitable for your trip. For example, if you’re planning a casual family day paddling around a beautiful, quiet lake, you probably don’t need a lightweight, easily maneuverable sport kayak that’s better suited to shooting through river rapids – you’ll be much safer and more relaxed in a larger, more stable kayak like an inflatable tandem raft.

PADDLE

Paddles also come in different shapes and sizes. However, in most cases, if you can hold it comfortably and it guides you through the water, it will do the job. If you have a paddle without handles and you are going on a challenging kayaking trip, you might consider bringing comfortable gloves; this should avoid blisters and reduce the amount of slipping on the paddle. If you’re going kayaking in a group, you should consider bringing an extra paddle or two in case someone snags their paddle on a bad rock, drops it while taking a picture, or it gets stolen while jumping a bird – you never know.

If you are prone to freezing fingers, it might be a good idea to buy a carbon fiber paddle as it does not get cold like cheaper aluminum ones. It is also advisable to check whether your paddle floats, because in some cases it is advisable to tie it to the kayak with a short elastic rope. This is more suitable for white water mountain adventures where losing the paddle is bad news. In most cases, if the paddle floats, you are likely to get it back.

LIFE JACKET

No matter what kind of family rafting or extreme kayaking adventure you’re planning, and no matter where it is, you need a life jacket. In New Zealand, you never know when the weather will change, and even a quiet lake or shallow river can be dangerous if something goes wrong. When it comes to life jackets (or personal flotation devices), it’s important to check that they stay on when you’re actually in the water. The most common problem (especially on family kayaking trips with kids) is life jackets that are too big and loose, which can slip off your shoulders. Simply check before you go that your life jacket (and children’s) fits snugly around your chest but is not suffocating. Make sure it is also comfortable. Ideally, you should not even notice that you are wearing it.

HELMET

When kayaking on New Zealand rivers, a helmet can be a real lifesaver. This doesn’t just apply to advanced and experienced river kayaking, because even on calm family rafting trips there is always a (very small) risk that nature will throw some variables at you. Just like your life jacket, make sure that the helmet straps on your chin strap are tight but not suffocating. More importantly, it should remain the same no matter what sudden movements or objects it’s exposed to – try it on land by shaking your head from side to side.

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Can you kayak in cold weather?

Even though many tour operators close for several months during the winter months (June to September), kayaking is still quite possible and there are many that remain open.

Most canoeing, rafting, and kayaking tour operators will provide you with everything you need to stay warm and dry if you are kayaking in the cold. Think wetsuits, boots, gloves, paddle jackets, dry pants, and fully enclosed kayaks. It sounds like a lot of gear, but trust us, kayaking in New Zealand can get cold, especially on the South Island.

What kind of shoes do you wear when kayaking?

It’s best to wear neoprene paddling boots because they are lightweight and protect the bottom of your feet. However, it all depends on your location. If you’re in the subtropical north and only get out of the kayak to walk on a sandy beach, you’ll probably be fine barefoot.

If you need special footwear, such as waterproof boots for rafting the South Island River in winter, your tour provider will help with that.

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The best time to go kayaking in New Zealand depends on many factors such as weather, seasonality and personal preferences. In winter (through the winter) the waters can be cool, but it can also be a great time to visit mountain lakes or the coast. In spring and autumn, the weather gets warmer and you can enjoy the vibrant colors of nature that bloom around you. Summer, of course, is the most popular time for kayaking, when warm water and clear skies provide ideal conditions for outdoor activities.

The country offers a variety of places for kayaking trips. One of the most popular destinations is Fjordland, where you can enjoy huge mountain lakes, waterfalls, and steep cliffs. Kayapo, with its cozy sandy bays and large mountain lakes, is also a great place for kayaking adventures. And, of course, you can’t miss the rivers and canals of the Coromandel Peninsula, where you can feel the real adrenaline on high-speed sections.

When planning a kayaking trip to New Zealand, it’s important to consider not only the time of year but also your own skills and experience. It is always important to keep in mind safety and compliance with all rules and recommendations. We wish you great adventures and vivid impressions during your kayaking trip in New Zealand!

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