New Zealand · CANOES & KAYAKS

The 15 Best Kayaking Tours in New Zealand

80 tours  ·  from $56

Sea kayaks at Abel Tasman and Kaikoura, lake paddles under glowworms, a trip to Cathedral Cove at dawn. The 15 below are compared on paddling distance, price and how much experience each one assumes.

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour - Paddling through Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
Canoes & Kayaks, Coromandel Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour

1.Cathedral Cove Kayak Tour

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

Paddle from Hahei Beach into the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve, passing beaches, islands, rock gardens, and sea caves. Guides such as Georgia, Ollie, Brad, Nathan, and AJ provide instruction and local stories. The three-hour trip includes kayak gear, snacks, and cappuccinos, hot chocolate, or tea at Cathedral Cove.

“Brad, our guide was knowledgeable about not only the marine life, but of the geology and the history of the area. Equipment was good.”

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Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro - Getting fitted for the water
Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Glowworm Cave Tours, Glowworm Cave Tours in Rotorua, Kayaking Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, 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 supplies kayaks, wet gear, shoes, and safety equipment. Guides such as Daniel, Amy, Jess, and David share local nature and star knowledge before leading you back through glowworm-lit rock walls.

“Lofty is a great kayak teacher if you don't have a lot of skill but best of all you get to see tons of glow worms and in a nice night you get to see all the stars.”

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Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura - Dolphins, penguins, and the honest wildlife odds
Canoes & Kayaks, Kaikoura Tours, Kayaking Tours in Kaikoura, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

3.Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour – Kaikoura

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

Paddle the Kaikoura Peninsula with Kaikoura Kayaks, the area’s original operator and only sea kayak company with a marine mammal permit. Guides such as Loz, Cam, Holt, and Rosie teach basic technique, lead you toward fur seals and seabirds, and watch for dusky dolphins and blue penguins. No experience is needed, but conditions can make the paddle harder.

“Great fun - we had Brad and Rosie as guides and they did a great job. Thorough instruction and weather proof equipment meant we felt confident throughout and dry & warm until the end. Would do again”

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Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura - Dolphins, birds, and the lucky blue penguin
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Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

4.Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura

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

Explore Kaikoura’s coast in a stable pedal kayak, guided by local experts such as Logan, Connor, Emma, or Eva. You may spot fur seals, dolphins, seabirds, and even blue penguins during this small-group, three-hour tour. No kayaking experience or strong arms are needed, and your hands stay free for photos.

“We did the early morning tour and it was a great experience. The pedal kayaks were really easy to maneuver and allowed us to easily get into some great seal viewing locations. Highly recommend this tour.”

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Small-Group Kayak Adventure from Franz Josef Glacier - The two-and-a-half-hour paddle across Lake Mapourika
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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

Kayak Lake Mapourika for about three hours with a local guide such as Ollie, Max, or Dani. Paddle calm, dark waters toward a protected kiwi area and untouched rainforest, with views toward the Southern Alps on clear days. Gear, transport, instruction, and digital photos are included.

“It was a nice lake kayaking activity, but we could not see the glacier from where we were on the lake.. The Staff were friendly, nice, and informative as well as passionate about the local wildlife and the protection plan to save the Kiwi. It was a rare good weather day.”

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Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour - Getting started with Kaikoura Kayaks
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Kaikoura: Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

6.Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour

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

Spend three hours kayaking Kaikoura’s coastal waters with guides such as Cam, Emma, Holt, and Loz. After a safety lesson, you’ll paddle for 1.5 to 2 hours beside rugged cliffs and rocks, with fur seals as the main target and possible dusky dolphins, blue penguins, birds, and even whales. No kayaking experience is needed, but wear quick-dry clothes, not jeans.

“It was a very good tour. Even got to see dolphins. So far my best tour in NZ.”

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Rotorua: Glow Worm Kayak Tour - From Rotorua iSite to the lake shore
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Rotorua: Glow Worm Kayak Tour

7.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

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

Meet Taiao Adventures outside the Rotorua iSite for a 15-minute shuttle to Lake Okareka. After a safety lesson, you 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 add local stories, Māori constellations, and calm reassurance for beginners.

“Excellent with good guide, perfect weather with star gazing, and we enjoyed the delicious hot chocolate milk inside the romantic caves full of glow worm.”

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Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown - The jet boat covers 30 kilometers in style
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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 kilometers upriver by jet boat before paddling a funyak through Mt Aspiring National Park. Guides such as Rob, Nikki, Ella, and Jordan lead the trip, which includes lunch, wetsuits, fleece, booties, and a dry bag. Expect thrilling water, quiet river channels, and some physical effort.

“The jet boat was 10/10. It was thrilling but also felt safe. The funyaks were hard work. Not as easy or as relaxing as I expected. At a few points we had to drag the funyaks over rocks for approximately 10 meters. It was a full body workout, Read more”

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Glow Worm Kayak Tour - Entering the small glow worm caves
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Glow Worm Kayak Tour

9.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

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

Meet at Rotorua Information Centre for a transfer to the lake, where guides such as Kaisha, Sam, Forrest, or Tom may lead your small kayaking group. After a safety briefing, paddle at dusk and enter several small caves lit by glow worms. Gear is supplied, and clear skies may add a memorable view of the stars.

“I was very much looking forward to this experience, the guides were brilliant, provided a lot of knowledge, and were very kind. Once in a lifetime experience to go and see these creatures in their natural habitat. And with a super clear sky the stars were also an amazing sight.”

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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - The Taste of the Land begins the evening
Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Glowworm Cave Tours, Tauranga Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

10.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 311 reviews

Paddle Lake McLaren near Tauranga as daylight fades, then enter a narrow canyon lit by glowworms. Waimarino guides such as Ellie, Lucy, Darragh, and Frosty provide equipment, stories, and help on the water. Expect about 3 hours 15 minutes, a small-group feel when numbers are low, and some towing near the hydro unit.

“We had a fantastic time with Lucy & Darragh as our guides! It was simple, it was fun, and we enjoyed the new adventure of kayaking as neither I nor my husband had done it before. The glow worms (which aren’t actually glow worms as we’ve coincidentally figured out) were gorgeous! It was also lovely knowing the science and the Māori knowledge behind them. Thank you for a fun experience we’ll continue to look fondly back on!”

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Auckland: Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters - Choosing between Okura Boat Ramp and Waiake Beach
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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

Meet at Okura Boat Ramp or Waiake Beach for a guided evening paddle with Social Nature Movement. Guides such as Paul, Maurice, Millie, Haley, and Conrad explain the science as plankton flash blue around your kayak. The tour lasts about 90 minutes to 2 hours, with kayaks, PFDs, safety lights, and instruction included.

“It was an incredible experience. The guide (Hailey) shared their passion for nature and gave us a truly unforgettable moment, explaining the phenomenon in a way that was both interesting and engaging. If you have a couple of hours to spare in the evening in Auckland, I highly recommend this activity: fantastic guides, an unforgettable experience, and a very magical place.”

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Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - The Taste of the Land begins the evening
Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Glowworm Cave Tours, Tauranga Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

12.Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour

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

Meet in Bethlehem, then ride through rolling countryside to Lake McLaren for a local cheese, honey, and kombucha tasting. After a safety briefing and warm gear fitting, paddle into Mangapapa Canyon at dusk. Guides such as Ellie, Aaron, and Ollie explain glowworms, Māori stories, and the night sky during this calm, beginner-friendly three-hour outing.

“Great time with Ollie! He was very knowledgeable and we thoroughly enjoyed our tour with him.”

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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour - Est. 1994 - Learning to kayak before the darkness settles
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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

13.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

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

Set out from Mairangi Bay with Canoe & Kayak Adventures for a two-hour night paddle in the Long Bay-Okura Marine Reserve. Guides such as Josh, Elena, Gareth, and Eloise teach beginners in stable kayaks or sit-on-tops, then help you spot glowing plankton, stars, and sometimes glowworms. Expect a beautiful but naturally variable light show.

“This was a fantastic experience. Eloise was great. Very friendly and informative. She clearly had a thorough knowledge of kayaking and safety. She gave us great tips to make the most of our tour. The water sparkled!!! It was so awesome. Thank you so much.”

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Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island - Crossing the Waitemata Harbour by kayak
Auckland Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Kayaking Tours in Auckland, Tour Reviews, Tours

Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

14.Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

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

You’ll paddle about 5 kilometers each way from Auckland to Rangitoto Island, with an experienced guide such as Daniel, Byron, or Eric leading the crossing. After a Kiwi BBQ, you’ll hike toward the summit for sunset, then return by kayak in the dark. Groups are capped at eight, and all equipment is supplied.

“This is a physical activity. Roughly an hour of kayak to and from the island and the hike is moderate (30-40 minutes) to steep (15 minutes). This was fun and different to do and we had a very good guide who prepared us a great late lunch on Rangitoto before hiking. Really interesting and beautiful experience. Thank you, Nathan!”

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The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak - A short lesson before the open water
Canoes & Kayaks, Half-Day, Maori Culture Tours, Maori Culture Tours in Taupo, Taupo Tours, Tour Reviews

The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak

15.The Maori Carvings Half Day Kayak

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

From 54 Spa Road in Taupō, you’ll learn basic kayaking skills before paddling along Lake Taupo to the Maori Rock Carvings. Guides such as Laura, Lisa, and Tammy share local stories, help with technique, and pause for cookies, drinks, photos, and an optional swim. The tour suits ages 12 and up, but weather can affect access to the carvings.

“A bit disappointing, wasn't able to see the Maori carvings, due to very choppy conditions on the lake but enjoyed the river canoeing. Staff was wonderful.”

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