Here are some of the best kayak and canoeing activities in New Zealand. Find all sorts of kayaking trips, including guided Kayaking tours, sea kayaking adventures and canoe hire; travel the 15,000Kms around NZ with the best Kayak experiences with the river, rapids, sea and lake attractions.
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Kayaking and canoeing
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Top Attractions
from NZ $135.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $195.00
5 hours 30 mins
from NZ $150.00
2 Hours 
Kayak & Walk Tour - Franz Josef Glacier
Exclusive access to a private rainforest track through a kiwi conservation area
from NZ $179.00
4 Hours 
from NZ $225.00
3 Hours 
Exclusive Abel Tasman Charter
A bespoke guided full day exploring the Abel Tasman National Park - personalized to meet your needs
from NZ $3915.00
6 hours 
Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River Grade 5 Raftin...
Feel the thrill of whitewater rafting over 3 waterfalls and 14 rapids
from NZ $135.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $169.00
2 Hours 
Browns Island (Motukorea) Sea Kayak Tour
Sea Kayak Aucklands' Hauraki Gulf and Waitemata Harbour
from NZ $150
4 hours 
4WD Sea-Kayaking Safari Tour at Pohatu Marine...
Sea-kayak the first marine reserve on the east coast of the south island
from NZ $155.00
4 Hours 
from NZ $120.00
3 Hours 
Stand Up Paddleboard Hire at Days Bay
Explore beautiful Days Bay on a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP)
from NZ $25.00
1 Hours 
Double Kayak Hire at Days Bay
Explore beautiful Days Bay on a double sit-on-top kayak
from NZ $50.00
1 Hours 
Kayak Classic Tour - Franz Josef Glacier
Kayak or cruise with a Glacier & Mountain Backdrop
from NZ $159.00
3 Hours 
Yonder Star - Private Sailing Yacht
Sail aboard the luxurious 87-foot private yacht, Yonder Star
from NZ $11000.00
from NZ $120
7 Hours 30 Mins 
Explore New Zealands most beautiful river
Paddle New Zealands most beautiful river
from NZ $215.00
4 Hours 
Sledging
Sledge New Zealand’s best white water on a sturdy buoyant board that is easy to manoeuvre.
from NZ $280.00
4 Hours 30 Mins 
100% Pure NZ - Raft the Kaituna River - Grade...
Tackle the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, the 7m Tutea Falls
from NZ $139.00
3 Hours 
24/48 Hour Pohatu Package at a Penguin Colony...
Spend the night in the middle of a penguin colony
from NZ $220.00
1 Days 
Sledge the Kaituna River - Grade 3
Control your own vessel, powered by flippers, for a unique water adventure
from NZ $144.00
3 Hours 
Twilight Kayak Glowworm Tour
Glowworms surrounding you as you float through a prehistoric like canyon
from NZ $199.00
3 Hours 
The Riverhead Tavern Kayak Tour in Auckland
Craft lasting memories in nature's embrace
from NZ $110
4 hours 
from NZ $30.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $145.00
2 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $165
3 hours 
Full Day Scenic Rafting on the Rangitikei Riv...
Beautiful scenery, only seen from the river, including plenty of waterfalls and native bush
from NZ $230.00
6 Hours 
from NZ $170.00
2 Hours 
from NZ $119.00
2 Hours 30 Mins
from NZ $30.00
1 Hours 
Daytime Canyon Kayak Tour
Native Flora and Faune surrounding you as you float through a prehistoric like canyon
from NZ $119.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $109.00
2 Hours 
Kaikoura - with kayaking experience
Wildlife Kayak Experience (approximately 3 hours) with Kaikōura Kayaks
from NZ $365.00
10 Hours 
from NZ $350.00
4 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $70.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $355
6 hours 
from NZ $180.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $190.00
3 Hours 
Pure New Zealand Wilderness Experience
One of the closest true wilderness experiences to Wellington
from NZ $299.00
6 Hours 
from NZ $139.00
3 Hours 
Waiheke Island Active Adventure Tour
Discover Waiheke Island's spectacular coastal scenery and scenic viewpoints
from NZ $980.00
7 Hours 
Cathedral Cove Classic Tour
Landing daily at Cathedral Cove for refreshments on the beach
from NZ $175.00
3 Hours 
Sea Kayaking, Lyttelton Harbour & Quail I...
Sea kayaking in an extinct volcano (Lyttleton Harbour)
from NZ $479.00
8 Hours 
Single Kayak Hire at Days Bay
Paddle around beautiful Days Bay on a single sit-on-top kayak
from NZ $25.00
1 Hours 
Hike and Kayak Combo Adventure Akaroa
Discover Banks Peninsula from Summit to sea
from NZ $175.00
8 Hours 
from NZ $200.00
4 Hours 
Sunset Sea Kayak to Rangitoto Island / with B...
Guided Walk to the Summit of Rangitoto Island
from NZ $220.00
6 Hours 30 Mins 
from NZ $375.00
5 Hours 
Canoe Safaris Whanganui River Journey
Guided Paddling on New Zealand's premier river system
from NZ $1145.00
57 Hours 
from NZ $265.00
3 Hours 
from NZ $35.00
1 Hours 
from NZ $120.00
4 Hours 
Whenuakura (Donut) Island Guided Experience
Explore Whenuakura - Donut - Island
from NZ $105.00
2 Hours Travel Guides
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Frequently Asked Questions about Kayaking and canoeing
Where is the kayaking and canoeing capital of New Zealand?
Kayaking and canoeing tours in New Zealand take place across the country, with popular locations including Abel Tasman National Park, Rotorua, Auckland (Rangitoto Island), Christchurch, Nelson, Whangamata, Akaroa, Kaikōura, Wanaka, Pelorus Bridge, Tauranga, and the Whanganui River.
What are the top kayaking and canoeing tours in New Zealand?
Some of the top kayaking and canoeing tours in New Zealand include the Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Rotorua, sea kayaking with seals in Kaikōura, scenic kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park, and the multi-day Whanganui River canoe journey.
What’s the difference between kayaking and canoeing?
Kayaking is done in a narrow boat where you sit low and use a double-bladed paddle, while canoeing is done in an open boat where you sit or kneel and use a single-bladed paddle.
What kayaking options are there in Auckland?
In Auckland, some of the popular kayaking options include the Sunset Sea Kayak to Rangitoto Island, where you paddle across Waitematā Harbour to Rangitoto Volcano at sunset, the Browns Island (Motukorea) Sea Kayak Tour which takes you from St Heliers Beach to explore an uninhabited volcanic island, and the City Lights Night Kayak Tour where you kayak around the harbour under the illuminated Auckland skyline.
Are there guided tours available?
Yes, there are guided kayaking and canoeing tours available in New Zealand, and some of the most popular guided options include the Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Rotorua, where expert guides lead you on a scenic evening paddle with glow worm viewing, the Guided Wildlife Kayaking in Kaikōura with marine wildlife encounters, the Kahu Kayaks Guided Tours in Abel Tasman National Park exploring beautiful coastal waters, and the Riverhead Tavern Kayak Tour in Auckland, which combines guided paddling with local history and scenery.
Kayaking and Canoeing activities to See and Do in New Zealand
Due to New Zealand's unique landscape, opportunities for all kinds of adventures are at your fingertips, and there are so many exciting things to do in every region. If you're looking for a thrilling, memorable activity, then browse through the selection at See and Do NZ.
In summer, the North Island is a fantastic place to visit, with so much wildlife and beautiful clear waters. Dolphins are abundant in New Zealand, and a kayaking trip is the best up-front and personal way to see them!
If you're searching for canoeing in beautiful long New Zealand rivers, then head to the South Island and check out the Kaituna River!
Top Destinations
Explore some of New Zealand’s most popular travel destinations.
