Where are the best places in New Zealand for sea or flat water kayaking?

Question

I have the opportunity to spend several months in New Zealand next year (Jan - March). I'd like to do some kayaking both on in-land lakes and rivers or in coastal areas. My goal is to see the natural beauties of NZ. I'm not as interested in shooting down death-defying white water rapids. Any suggestions for the best destinations?

Answer 1

#1 spot is the Abel Tasman National Park, near Nelson. Top of the South Island
http://www.seakayaking.co.nz

#2 Marlborough / Picton – The Marlborough Sounds - http://www.destinationmarlborough.com

#3 Queenstown – Milford Sounds, http://www.fiordland.org.nz

#4 Lake Wanaka - http://www.lakewanaka.co.nz/index.cfm/Home

Answer 2

For fantastic coastal kayaking go to Golden Bay. This is located at the top of the South Island - just beautiful.

There are tons of lakes to kayak on too - try the South Island lakes such as Lake Wanaka and Lake Wakatipu in Queenstown.

Have fun!

Answer 3

I went kayaking last week at the Abel Tasman National Park, near Nelson on the South Island, the water was quite smooth, and a very pleasant experience.

Enjoy.

Answer 4

There are some wonderful kayaking to be had around Hahei in the Coromandel, (if you are looking for guided tour this is a good one http://www.seakayaktours.co.nz/sea_kayak_tours.html)

Otherwise the Able Tasman national park is one of the ultimate kayaking areas in NZ, Kaiteretere is a good base.

Answer 5

The Abel Tasman and Marlborough Sounds would probably be the best for coastal/flat water kayaking as they are quite well sheltered.

Answer 6

what variety of life-form do you prefer? i be attentive to of a pair of people from the united kingdom who stay in remoted or places out of my city in basic terms because of the fact they could and prefer it. different individuals prefer the cities, others prefer a rural city etc. in case you prefer an outstanding city, the important ones are all ok i assume, yet I prefer Christchurch as its the 2d best interior the country so it has a lot of issues to furnish and is not any longer too some distance from some wonderful ecosystem eg west coast is barely 3 or so hours away or to ski fields eg Mt hutt, there are the port Hills/Banks penisular which has mountain cycling, walks etc. the climate is better than the united kingdom having extra nicer days ( and warm ones interior the summertime) yet getting some southrly storms interior the iciness, a sell off of snow in line with 365 days and frosts ( with a sprint of smog)...yet its nevertheless stable for the main section while in comparison with the united kingdom and places extra south. I stay interior the South Island and function for many of my life ( living in Marlborough, Christchurch, Oamaru, close to Franz Josef Glacier) besides as a pair of years interior the united kingdom ( and 6months in south auckland which we will not communicate). in case you prefer a smaller city with good climate then Nelson is fantastic as its on the water while in comparison with the smaller Blenheim ( the place I stay). It has a pair of national parks ( in a position tasman and kahurangi), walks, beachs ( eg kaiteriteri is phenomenal!), the Marlbrough Sounds are fairly wonderful too! As I stated it relies upon on what you're searching for for as smaller places won't specialized jobs and distinctive components have distinctive industires eg , viticulture, agriculture, horticulture, indusrty etc. extra information could be super.

Answer 7

for flat water the best would be:
-lake wanaka
-te anau (sea)
-marlbrough sounds/ able tasmen/ golden bay (all top of south island) (sea)
-bay of islands (sea)
-lake taupo (nz's largest lake)
theres lots of other good lakes too


for surf kayaking theres plenty of good surf beaches all over the country. theres lots of good braided rivers and white water too.