New Zealand · CANOES & KAYAKS

The 15 Best Kayaking Tours in New Zealand

29 tours  ·  from $56 a head

Sea kayaks get you into the Abel Tasman coves and under Cathedral Cove where nothing bigger fits. These 15 are priced by hours on the water, with the glowworm night paddles and the guided-versus-freedom hire options separated.

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour - Starting at Hahei Beach and getting your bearings
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Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour

1.Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 887 reviews · from $127Our pick

Paddle from Hahei Beach into Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve with a small group of up to eight. Your guide leads you past rock gardens, sea caves, beaches, and islands, with chances to spot stingrays, fish, or dolphins. The tour ends at Cathedral Cove with hot drinks and cookies.

“Georgia was a great guide, very informative with health and safety, good fun and knowledge about the history. Highly recommended. The drinks on the beach were a bonus!”

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Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro - Dusk brings out the birds, plants, and rock walls
Canoes & Kayaks, Canoes & Kayaks in Rotorua, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Rotorua, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

2.Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 493 reviews · from $92

Paddle from Lake Karapiro into the Pokaiwhenua Stream as daylight fades. Riverside Adventures Waikato provides the kayak, PFD, wet shoes, splash gear, and instruction. Guides such as Daniel, Amy, Jess, David, and Lofty share local nature and star lore before you return through a canyon lit by glowworms.

“Incredible experience, super nice staff and awesome adventure. David the guide, explains everything about nature and stars.”

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Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura - Paddling beside the Kaikoura Peninsula
Canoes & Kayaks, Canoes & Kayaks in Kaikoura, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Kaikoura, Wildlife, Wildlife in Kaikoura

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

3.Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 467 reviews · from $99

Spend about three hours with Kaikoura Kayaks, including 1.5 hours on the water, paddling from the Kaikoura Peninsula toward the seal colony. Guides such as Loz, Cam, Brad, Emma, and Rosie offer safety tips and wildlife insight. You may see fur seals, seabirds, blue penguins, dolphins, or seasonal whales, but only seals are a reliable sighting.

“Relaxing time on the sea, paddling to see seals and enjoying live comment on natural wild life from the guide”

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Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura - Setting out from 18 Beach Road
Canoes & Kayaks, Canoes & Kayaks in Kaikoura, Tour Reviews, Tours in Kaikoura, Wildlife, Wildlife in Kaikoura

Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

4.Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 422 reviews · from $83

Explore Kaikoura’s coast in a small group aboard an easy foot-pedal kayak. Guides such as Logan, Eva, Connor, and Emma share local wildlife knowledge while you look for fur seals, dolphins, seabirds, and the occasional blue penguin. Choose a seal-spotting or sunset departure. The three-hour tour returns to 18 Beach Road.

“Great kayaking trip! Saw a bunch of seals and overall had a really nice time on the water in Kaikōura.”

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Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier - Entering the rainforest and kiwi conservation area
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Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier

5.Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · from $92

Spend about three hours kayaking Lake Mapourika with a local guide such as Max, Ollie, or Dani. Expect calm water, rainforest, native birds, conservation stories, and possible views of the Southern Alps. Kayaks, safety gear, transport, instruction, and digital photos are included.

“Danny was our guide, she is wonderful. The kayak was one of the best that we have done in years. We have done a few but this one was unique. It was raining that day a I thought this was not going to be good, but then the water is warmer and as we reached the mirror river, things began to clear up, and it was so calm and beautiful. Because of the rain, the chopper were not flying so it was clam, quiet and beautiful. It was memorable. Thank you Dani for this experience.”

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Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour - Meeting the guides and getting ready
Canoes & Kayaks, Canoes & Kayaks in Kaikoura, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Kaikoura, Wildlife, Wildlife in Kaikoura

Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

6.Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 390 reviews · 3 hours · from $95

Join Kaikoura Kayaks for a three-hour coastal outing with 1.5 to 2 hours on the water. Guides such as Cam, Emma, Holt, Loz, and Ollie provide safety help and wildlife commentary as you paddle near fur seals, with possible dusky dolphins and blue penguins. No kayaking experience is needed, but you must be at least 13.

“Fantastic few hours out on the water. Guides were so lovely and knowledgeable.”

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Rotorua: Glow Worm Kayak Tour - From Rotorua iSite to the lake in 15 minutes
Canoes & Kayaks, Canoes & Kayaks in Rotorua, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Rotorua, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Rotorua: Glow Worm Kayak Tour

7.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 351 reviews · 3 hours · from $116

Meet Taiao Adventures outside Rotorua iSite for a 15-minute shuttle to the lake. After a safety briefing, paddle a two-person sit-on-top kayak from twilight into darkness, entering small caves lit by glow-worms. Guides such as Ellie, Forest, Sam, and Keisha keep the pace calm and welcoming. Clear skies may add the Milky Way and Māori constellations.

“Amazing evening seeing the glow worm caves! Transport was well organised and on time. Briefing was clear on what to expect and how best to enjoy the trip. The company was well prepared with gear and very stylish crocs. Our guide Earl was a delight- so chilled and very informative. It’s a do not miss experience in Rotorua”

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Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown - Getting suited up at Dart River Adventures
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Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown

8.Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · from $273

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then race 30 kilometres upriver by jet boat before paddling a funyak through Mt Aspiring National Park. Guides such as Nikki, Rob, Ella, and JJ add safety tips and local stories. Expect cold water, sandflies, occasional dragging over rocks, and a picnic lunch in the bush.

“Just do it! I was reluctant thinking I wasn’t fit enough but it was the best day ever. Nikki our jet boat driver was very experienced and made our ride out to the start of our funyaks journey exciting, stopping along the way to give us interesRead more”

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Glow Worm Kayak Tour - From central Rotorua to the lakeside base
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Glow Worm Kayak Tour

9.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · from $121

Paddle a calm lake near Rotorua after sunset, following guides such as Kaisha, Sam, Forrest, or Tom into small glow worm caves. Taiao Adventures provides transport, kayaks, safety gear, and warm clothing. Expect gentle paddling, damp clothes, darkness, and possible stars if the sky clears.

“If you get the perfect night like we did, not only do you get to experience of the magic of the glow worms we also got to see the most amazing shooting star over the lake. The hosts were wonderful with lots of information. Overall I highly recommend this tour.”

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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - The scenic ride to Lake McLaren
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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

10.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 311 reviews

Join Waimarino Kayak Tours for a 3-hour-15-minute evening paddle on Lake McLaren. Guides such as Ellie, Lucy, Darragh, Frosty, and Leo lead you from sunset into a narrow glow-worm canyon, with equipment, refreshments, and local stories included. Hotel transport from Tauranga or Mount Maunganui may be arranged for an extra fee.

“Great kayaking on the river to the canyon by the hydro power plant see the fairytale twinkling glowworms and witness the stars in the Southern Hemisphere sky.”

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Auckland: Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters - The 30-minute safety briefing matters at night
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Auckland: Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters

11.Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 259 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $56

Launch from Okura Boat Ramp or Waiake Beach for a guided night paddle with Social Nature Movement. Guides including Paul, Maurice, Millie, Haley, Legend, and Conrad explain the science behind the glowing plankton while you watch fish leave bright trails. Kayak gear, PFD, and safety light are included.

“Amazing activity. There was a lot of bioluminescence. The guides were very knowledgeable, especially one guy with a scientific background who was really informative and friendly in explaining everything about bioluminescence. You can really tell it’s something he’s passionate about, and when someone is passionate, they make the whole experience even better. The only thing is, I would have preferred a single kayak.”

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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - The scenic ride to Lake McLaren
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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

12.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 206 reviews · 3 hours · from $134

Meet at 36 Taniwha Place in Tauranga for a three-hour evening trip to Lake McLaren. After local cheese, honey, and kombucha, you will kayak into Mangapapa Canyon with an English-speaking guide, glowworms overhead, Māori stories, and warm gear provided.

“Our guide, George, was the consummate professional. He made our trip exceptional and ensured we were taken care of at all times. I would highly recommend him, and the evening kayak trip made for a special night out.”

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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour - Est. 1994 - Learning to kayak before sunset
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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

13.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 187 reviews · from $73

Meet Canoe & Kayak Adventures for a two-hour night paddle within 10 kilometers of Mairangi Bay. Guides such as Gareth, Eloise, Josh, and Sam teach beginners in stable kayaks, then lead you through the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve to find glowing plankton. Expect calm water, stars, and the chance of getting wet.

“Awesome experience with the bioluminescsnt water, great team and super easy to kayak, no need for skill.”

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Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island - Leaving Auckland at 4pm
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Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

14.Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $152

Start near Parnell at 4pm with Auckland Sea Kayaks and paddle roughly 5 km to Rangitoto Island. Guides such as Daniel, Byron, Elle, and Eric provide instruction, dinner, and safety support. After a summit walk and sunset, you return across the harbour in the dark. Small groups, kayaks, jackets, and dinner are included.

“Amazing, amazing experience. First the easy kayak to the island, then after dinner hike to the summit for sunset. Walk back down with headlamps. Best of all a magical kayak back to Auckland at night. Absolutely magical!”

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The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak - From 54 Spa Road to Jerusalem Bay
Canoes & Kayaks, Maori Cultural Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours in Taupo

The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak

15.The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · from $83

Paddle from Jerusalem Bay along Lake Taupō’s clear shoreline to the Māori rock carvings with a guide such as Laura, Lisa, or Tammy. You’ll get a safety lesson, kayak gear, snacks, photos, and time for a swim. The pace suits beginners, but wind and waves can prevent the carving visit.

“So amazing, but it is weather dependant, so you might not get to see the Carbing Rock as it might be too chopping seawise. Thankfully we were borderline and got to see the Carving which is great!!!!”

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