Ever since I was a child I’ve always loved water. From swimming in it throughout most of my life to in my adults years trying various water sports such as jet skis and kayaking.
I live in New Zealand so I thought I list some of the superb spots here for kayaking.
1 – Lake Taupo
This is a great place to try kayaking if you are a beginner. Because it’s a lake the water is generally quite stable, so it is a good place to try out this sport.
There are various places you can hire kayaks here as it’s a popular activity for holiday makers in the area.
Make sure you take the chance to paddle to the Maori rock carvings which are viewable from the lake.
And after enjoying a couple of hours on the lake, you will have lots of choice for somewhere to enjoy a drink and a meal.
The town around the lake may not be the best place in my opinion for someone looking for somewhere quiet as it can get rather busy with tourists.
2 – Whanganui River
This is a very long river which is popular for different water sports on various stretches of the river.
Some of the river has lots of rapids so these wouldn’t be good for beginners and could be dangerous but there are also many stretches of wider and slower flowing water.
You will need to book a Department of Conservation pass in order to kayak on this river and check out the DOC website for more information on which parts of the river would be a good fit for you.
If you don’t already know, the Department of Conservation is an NZ government institution which is a great resource for finding out lots of information about national parks and treks.
3 – Catlins River
The Catlins River has many lovely winding stretches with some outstanding views of the hills and forests.
It is a great river for different ages and skills levels. And the slow pace allows the kayakers to enjoy the scenery.
There are also many varieties of birdlife including Tui, fantails and kingfishers.
You can either hire some kayaks, doing it all yourself or go with a tour company. If you’re a beginner then I would recommend finding a tour company as you’ll kayak with an experienced guide.
For people who like to kayak on the sea, there are various opportunities for this as well as the Catlins River.
4 – Sea Kayaking at Kaikoura
The seaside town of Kaihoura is great for people wanting to experience sea kayaking.
The sea around this area is home to a wide range of sea life including the playful wild Dusky Dolphins, whales and fur seals to name a few.
Like any sea kayaking, unless you are very experienced I would highly recommend you go with an experienced guide as the tide and sudden rough seas can turn a pleasant afternoon excursion into a very dangerous situation.
5 – Sea Kayaking at the Coromandel Peninsula
Coromandel is a great place for those beach lovers out there. It can have almost tropical weather and is home to some of the best beaches in New Zealand.
As well as lazing around on the beach and swimming, another very popular activity there is kayaking just off the coast and through various stunning cave systems.
On a good calm day you should have a wonderful time but like all sea kayaking, going with a guide is recommended.
These five locations were contributed by Jack Hopkin with RiverRidge Retreat who offer various tours including kayaking and is a great place to stay in the Catlins. You can read more at their website for all the services they offer.
