The 15 Best Kayak Trips in New Zealand

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour - Paddling through the marine reserve

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

Paddle to Cathedral Cove through sea caves and marine life, then enjoy cappuccino, hot chocolate, and cookies on the beach.

“This experience was fantastic! Georgia was an excellent guide who showed us all around the area and also exercised good judgment. When my teens were struggling a bit towards the end, she tied their kayak to hers and toed them in. There were many people who signed up for this excursion, but the kayak company divided us into a small group which was nice. It was lovely going for a swim at Cathedral Cove and Georgia even made us hot drinks on the beach! Would definitely recommend!”

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Canoes & Kayaks, Kayak Trips in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

2.Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

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

Paddle Lake Karapiro at dusk, then float beneath thousands of glowworms on a guided evening kayak tour near Rotorua.

“Very exciting experience, with 3 brilliant tour guides!!! Tour guides are responsible, patient, experienced and knowledgable. Very much recommended for this unique and unforgettable experience!!!”

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Canoes & Kayaks, Kaikoura Tours, Kayak Trips in Kaikoura, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

3.Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

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

Paddle Kaikoura’s marine reserve with seals, seabirds, and possible dolphins, guided by local experts on a scenic three-hour sea kayak tour.

“Was a great trip with a helpful, friendly, and enthusiastic guide (thanks Charli!). We were lucky enough to see dolphins and a baby seal swimming.”

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Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

4.Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

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

Pedal along Kaikoura’s coast on a small-group seal kayak tour with fur seals, dolphins, seabirds, local guides, and sunset views.

“We had a great time, the pedal kayaks are the best kayaks I’ve been in very easy and steady. We saw seals and also luckily to see a few glimpses of dolphins. The staff were very friendly and informative. We had a great morning.”

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Canoes & Kayaks, Glacier Country Tours, Glacier Tours, Tour Reviews

Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier

5.Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier

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

Paddle Lake Mapourika from Franz Josef, explore ancient rainforest, spot native wildlife, and enjoy photos, guides, and transport included.

“Fantastic experience with plenty of interesting information on the local environment. The kayak up the river was stunning”

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Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

6.Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

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

Paddle Kaikoura’s coast beside fur seals, with mountain views and chances for dolphins and penguins on this friendly 3-hour kayak tour.

“Absolutely fabulous morning with the lovely and knowledgable Cam who ensured we were comfortable the whole way Not only did we see dolphins and seals but we were never rushed and given plenty of time to soak up the beauty of this place”

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Canoes & Kayaks, Kayak Trips in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Rotorua: Glow Worm Kayak Tour

7.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

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

Kayak Lake Okareka at dusk, enter glow worm caves, and watch the stars on this beginner-friendly Rotorua night tour.

“Nothing could be improved… highly recommend. Exceeded our expectations.”

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Boat Trips in Queenstown, Canoes & Kayaks, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Ride the Dart River by jet boat and funyak through Mt Aspiring National Park, with lunch, gear, scenery, and Queenstown transport included.

“The best Viator tour we took in Queenstown New Zealand beside Mt Cook hike… I was a bit skeptical at the beginning but after the trip … I have to say if I miss it then I will be sorry I use both my leg & arm muscles in this trip and I felt great!!”

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Glow Worm Kayak Tour

9.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

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

Review of Rotorua’s Glow Worm Kayak Tour, with practical tips on gear, caves, stars, price, weather, and who will enjoy it most.

“Wonderful! Worth the late night for the kids. Kayaking over the lake at night was just as magical as the glow worms as it was so serene.”

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Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Tauranga Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

10.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 311 reviews

Kayak Lake McLaren at sunset, then enter a glow-worm canyon beneath the stars on Tauranga’s memorable evening adventure.

“Seeing the glowworms while sitting in a kayak with just a few other people was really special. The guides did a great job with the explanation of the science and also the legends about the glowworms. The equipment was great and they supplied cheese and beverages for us at the start of the trip.”

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Auckland Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Kayak Trips in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

Paddle Auckland’s dark coastal waters as bioluminescent plankton sparkle around your kayak under a star-filled sky.

“The bioluminescent plankton were amazing to see glowing at night along with the bright stars. The guides Paul and Millie were amazing and very knowledgeable!”

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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

12.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

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

Kayak Lake McLaren at dusk, sample New Zealand treats, and see glowing canyon walls beneath a starry Tauranga sky.

“Leo and Uchie were fantastic guides, very knowledgeable and experienced kayaker's. The glowworms were also mesmerising and very interesting to find out about the scientific and Maori stories. One of the best experiences on the north island!”

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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

13.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

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

Paddle Auckland’s dark coast to see glowing plankton, learn kayaking, and enjoy a small-group night tour in Long Bay.

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

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Auckland Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Kayak Trips in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

14.Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

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

Paddle from Auckland to Rangitoto, enjoy a Kiwi BBQ, hike to the summit for sunset, and kayak back beneath city lights.

“Fantastic trip with guides Byron and Daniel!! We're split into 2 groups of 8 and I'm witg Byron. As a first time kayaker, it's little bit hard to get used to it in the very beginning. But Byron helped me master it! The view on the summit was really worth it, the BBQ is also nice. The backwards kayaking is against the waves (and also dark) so it's a little bit more challenging, but Byron helped us made it! Daniel offered a free drive for us to the CBD so we don't need to Uber at 11:30 pm. Really enjoyable and unique experience!”

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Canoes & Kayaks, Maori Cultural Experiences, Taupo Tours, Tour Reviews

The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak

15.The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak

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

Paddle Lake Taupō to the Māori Rock Carvings, with volcano views, snacks, photos, and an optional swim on this friendly half-day tour.

“We had a great time on the lake with Tammy, it had been awhile since we kayaked but the pace felt right and we could enjoy our time on the water. Seeing the carvings up close was quite something. Afterward, we stopped on a beach nearby where we went for a swim and had some cookies before the paddle back to Taupo. 10/10 would recommend”

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