Sea Kayaking Tours in New Zealand: the 10 Best to Book

1.Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

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

Set out from 17 Killarney Street with Kaikoura Kayaks for a three-hour guided sea kayak trip. You will paddle about 1.5 hours along the Kaikōura Peninsula, learning about seals, seabirds, and local marine life from guides such as Loz, Cam, Brad, Emma, and Yasmin. Dolphins and blue penguins are possible, but never guaranteed.

“What an amazing day to kayak and see the seals and a pod of Dusky dolphins. Great experience paddling with the guide Robert. Thanks for the photo. Booking via Viator let me earn Aeroplan points. 👍”

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2.Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 160 reviews · from $83

Join Akaroa Guided Kayaks for a two to three-hour paddle from the Ākaroa Bowling Club, close to the harbor. Guides such as Jake, Joey, John, and Seamus combine safety help with stories about volcanic geology and local wildlife. You’ll use stable two-person kayaks with spray skirts and jackets, but sightings and the exact route depend on weather and sea conditions.

“Our kayaking tour of Akaroa was awesome. We were able to meet the guides after a short walk from our cruise ship. Two guides accompanied the small group and provided excellent safety and paddling instruction. During the trip, which mostly followed the shore, they gave interesting information about the wildlife, flora and geology of the area. The paddling was easy and very enjoyable. We're so pleased that we chose this excursion in Akaroa.”

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3.Day sea kayak tour Rangitoto Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $152

Paddle across Waitemata Harbour from St. Heliers to Rangitoto Island, hike for about an hour to the volcanic summit, then refuel with a catered Kiwi BBQ before kayaking back. No experience is required, and guides such as Daniel, Chloe, Eric, and Richard provide instruction and safety support. Expect roughly 10 to 11 kilometres of paddling.

“We had an amazing day with Daniel! He’s an amazing guide and knew so much about the plant life, birds and answered any questions we had. The kayak ride was nice and leisurely. The water was quite calm and the weather was ideal. The hRead more”

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4.Auckland: Sunset & Night Sea Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $138

Paddle from St Heliers Beach to Rangitoto Island with an English-speaking guide and a group of no more than nine. Hike 2.5 km to the summit for sunset, eat a Kiwi BBQ with hot and cold drinks, then kayak back by city light. Guides such as Daniel, Dan, Eric, and Kobey have been praised for safety, instruction, and good humor.

“Fantastic trip! Kayaking across, hiking up Rangitoto, running down (optional!), then jumping in for a swim before dinner was great fun. The best was kayaking at night on the way back with some waves. Quite an experience!”

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5.Akaroa: Guided Sunrise Sea Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 59 reviews · 3 hours · from $92

Meet near Akaroa Bowling Club for a three-hour sunrise paddle through the harbour’s marine reserve. Your English-speaking guide, such as Peter, John, or Shaun, leads a small group through calm water, sharing local history and wildlife facts. Bring a windbreaker, sun hat, and drinks. Dolphins are possible, never guaranteed.

“excellent tour with Sheamus. We were lucky enough to spot a Dolphin too. The views are incredible. It's a pretty little french settlement. My wife and I loved every bit of it. Thanks Sheamus.”

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6.1 Day Sea Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · from $74Best value

Rent a kayak from R&R Kayaks in Marahau and spend up to seven hours paddling the Abel Tasman coast. You set the pace, visit golden-sand beaches, pass Split Apple Rock, look for seals, and return to the same meeting point. Kayaking experience and moderate fitness are recommended.

“We had a beautiful day of kayaking in this gorgeous part of the world. We'd recommend this experience to anyone who loves kayaking and discovering beautiful, secluded beaches.”

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7.Rangitoto Island: Sea Kayak & Summit Hike Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 31 reviews · from $144

Paddle from St Heliers Bay across Waitemata Harbor with an English-speaking guide, then hike Rangitoto’s volcanic summit for 360-degree Auckland views. Guides such as Tony, Ben, Daniel, and Eric have led memorable trips, with a barbecue lunch, hot drinks, and kayaking gear included. Pickup is available from the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

“Amazing day, challenging kayaking conditions but perfect by the time we reached Rangitoto. Also delicious lunch and very knowledgeable guide”

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8.Auckland: Browns Island (Motukorea) Sea Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 4 hours · from $89

Meet your English-speaking guide at St Heliers Beach for a four-hour paddle to uninhabited Motukorea, also called Browns Island. After a 30-minute safety briefing, you kayak across the Hauraki Gulf, walk around the volcanic island, and return by water. Guides such as Ryan and Legend have been praised for calm, friendly instruction.

“Excellent day on the water kayaking with Ben and Hailey, panoramic views on the island”

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9.Auckland: Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour to Motukorea Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4h 30m · from $116

Kayak from St Heliers Beach to Motukorea, also called Browns Island, with an English-speaking guide and a maximum of eight people. You’ll get safety instruction, equipment, snacks, and time to climb the extinct volcano for views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf. No previous kayaking experience is needed.

“This activity was amazing!! Our guide, Daniel was so kind and informative. He was such a big help in getting us set up in our kayak and getting to go. The kayak ride was about an hour there and back, and it was smooth water so it wasn’t difficult. The island was GORGEOUS. We hiked to the top of the volcano and the views were truly spectacular. It’s a small and beautiful island with the greenest grass I’ve ever seen. I definitely recommend this tour!”

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10.Christchurch: Sea Kayaking Tour of Lyttelton Harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 8 hours · from $268

Start in Christchurch and cross the Port Hills to Lyttelton Harbour, where your guide teaches basic sea-kayaking skills before you paddle to Quail Island. Expect sea caves, small beaches, old steamships, lunch, and time to explore. Guides may include Alan, John, or Sarah, with private and small-group options available.

“An absolutely perfect day out in our first week in Christchurch - John the guide was super knowledgeable and picked us up, took us to a local sandwich shop to get lunch, then ferried us across the hill with perfectly prepped kayaks. Excellent equipment - really looked brand new. The trip itself comprises of a few hours of paddling and an hour or two for lunch and exploring quail island and swimming. The scenery was mind blowing. I felt safe and free in equal measure the whole time! Thanks for an excellent trip”

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