Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve
5
Full view
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve
By Akaroa Guided Kayak Safari
Recommended by 98% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
from per adult
$82.50
from per adult
$82.50
Lowest price guarantee
Ages 10-90, max of 15 per group
Duration: 2–3 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English, French, Spanish
- Local knowledgeable Guide
- Kayak safari
- All kayaking equipment including spray skirts and jackets
What's not included- Transport to/from attractions
- Gratuities
- Snacks
- Departure details
- Traveler pickup is offered.
- If you are arriving via cruise ship our meeting point is outside the bowling club in Akaroa which is in walking distance If you are arriving into Lyttelton Port you must arrange your own transport of contact supplier at the time of booking for shuttle availability. Please note Lyttelton is 1.5 hours drive from Akaroa
- Ākaroa Bowling Club, Rue Jolie, Akaroa 7542, New Zealand We will email you detailed directions we we receive your booking We meet outside the bowling club in Akaroa on the grass Please contact us if you require pick up from Lyttleton Port when you book. We are in walking distance for cruise ship passengers arriving in Akaroa
- Ports:
- Ākaroa Bowling Club, Rue Jolie, Akaroa 7542, New Zealand
- Other:
- Ākaroa Bowling Club, Rue Jolie, Akaroa 7542, New Zealand wait at the picnic table by the restrooms opposite the bowling club
Return details- Returns to original departure point
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 9811P3- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum age is 10 years
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
- All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.
- How much is Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve?
- Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve price starts from $84.43. Discover and book Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve on Tripadvisor
- What is the Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve cancellation policy?
- Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve cancellation policy: All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties. Discover and book Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve on Tripadvisor
- Which company provides Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve?
- Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve is hosted by Akaroa Guided Kayak Safari. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Akaroa Guided Kayak Safari on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve on Tripadvisor
- How much time do I need for Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve?
- On average, this experience will take approximately 2h. Discover and book Shore Excursion: Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve on Tripadvisor
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 9811P3
Itinerary
- You'll start atĀkaroa Bowling ClubOr, you can also get picked upSee departure details
- 1Akaroa Guided Kayak SafariStop: 3 hoursOur Guided Sea Kayak Safari's take place in beautiful Akaroa- this is one of the best locations to sea kayak in NZ! Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity to paddle through a marine reserve in an extinct volcano basin. Highlights include jaw dropping scenery, amazing geology that is unique to the area and the chance to see some of the most endangered marine life on the planet including Hector Dolphins, White-flipper penguins, NZ fur seals and native sea birds..Small group numbers are key as we are visiting fragile, pristine, and relatively undisturbed natural areas, enjoy exploring this marine reserve in a low-impact and environmentally responsible way with your own nature/kayak guide answering all of your questions along the way while keeping you safe on the water.. Close encounters. No noise, No engines, No crowds, No pollution. So come and join us! Explore, Experience and Enjoy! Paradise awaits only 80 minutes from Christchurch!Read more
- You'll return to the starting point
+
–
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.
Curious28749699133
00Awesome experience
Great guide, showed and explained to us about the birds, sea life and caves, beautiful patterns on rocks. The gear…
GetRealz
00Excellent Experience
The kayak in Akaroa harbor and bike ride through the hills surrounding Duchauvelle were amazing adventures. The com…
Angieinnz
00One of must do things in Akaroa
It was a great experience. Great weather, stunning view, got to see dolphins, a penguin, and many New Zealand nativ…
cmcPVD
00Day kayaking Akaroa
What a terrific day on the water. Guide Tom was informative and encouraging. Beautiful views. Booker Ali very helpf…
58Pat1610
00Awesome time
Went on boxing day 2022. Was great to be alone on the water. The day before was so hot, but we were unlucky it was…
Graeme C
00AKaroas e-Bike guided tour of the summit - spectacular views.
Fantastic all round experience. Great quality e-bikes, Grevelle the guide was professional with safety first. We di…
K4930ATjohannaf
00Awesome paddling, awesome people!
Had a wonderful morning out on the water with our guide, Phil, who tailored the experience to our interests and pro…
Jonathan S
00Definitely go
Great experience. We called up a bit last minute and Allie (who is a legend and tales will be told of her greatness…
SeanandCat
00Awesome Kayak/Bike Tour in Akaroa
Awesome experience! So good to be able to see the Harbour from the water and the hills! Awesome guides out on the w…
sebi89
00Great start in the day to see beautiful nature
We had a great tour today. Amazing nature life. We saw several dolphins, seals and birds. Just a great start into …
jimcD1207KB
00An experience not to be missed!
Our early paddle out to the Akaroa Marine Reserve on a beautiful morning was an unforgettable experience. James’ kn…
JohnW10111
00Awesome Afternoon Kayak
Just back from a fantastic afternoon sea kayak. Thank you James for you friendly, professional and informative guid…
issycroneen
00Magical, must-do experience
Experiencing the colours, sounds and animals of Akaroa Harbour from water level was unforgettable. Grev made us f…
jgsSydney_Australia
00Great experience in Akaroa harbour
Took a private guided tour with Akaroa Kayaks. We had 2 days there, and they picked the best time for our trip. We …
Janine_J9_J9
00Ebike self guided tour
We did the Coast Cruze ebike self guide tour and went to the highest peak. It took about 3 hours and quite hilly bu…
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
117 reviews
Excellent
105
Very good
10
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Joe F
Orlando, FL37 contributions
Joey, Jake, and Allie all met my wife and myself at the meeting point and were very friendly as they immediately started to help us understand the experience. Once set with our gear, Joey started to explain the safety information around how to get in, get out, and how to get help if he was in trouble. We were impressed with the rigor he went into even though we would never need it. He clearly provided confidence to those who had never experienced this before.
We spent a good deal of time learning about the rocks, mountains, and animals we would see. Joey was a wealth of information and really helped us appreciate the land and sea better because of it. All of this while appreciating the views found in every paddle!
We were very impressed with everyone running the experience and would recommend to our friends when they are in this area. Well done!
We spent a good deal of time learning about the rocks, mountains, and animals we would see. Joey was a wealth of information and really helped us appreciate the land and sea better because of it. All of this while appreciating the views found in every paddle!
We were very impressed with everyone running the experience and would recommend to our friends when they are in this area. Well done!
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin P
Sidmouth, UK11 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Against the backdrop of stunning hills that are the rim of an ancient volcano, this guided kayak tour of the shoreline near Akaroa is one of the best outdoor trips we have done in NZ. The initial briefing by our guide Jake was very thorough and a useful refresher course for those of us who have not been paddling for several years. His emphasis on safety was very reassuring. Once on the water, our guide constantly described the flora and fauna we were seeing and also the unique volcanic geological features on the water's edge, whilst at the same time ensuring that everybody in the group was OK paddling etc. The trip took 3 hours in total, including the initial 30mins of briefing. We even got a cookie half way. All equipment was provided and in good condition. Although not the cheapest kayak tour in the area, it was well worth the money.
Written January 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akaroa G
Thanks so much for the review, our tours are 5 star, in terms of scenery, safety and equipment, and of course our amazing guides! We make sure our guests get value for money and we love to go the extra mile to make sure every one is enjoying themselves. Great to hear you had an awesome time and it was a pleasure having you on the water with us!
All the best
Allie & Greville
Written January 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
453adk
Latham, NY4 contributions
Jan 2020
The kayaking was excellent and our guide and very good with first time or limited experienced kayakers. I think every kayak had at least one experienced kayaker, but he was very good at explaining different techniques and pointing out ways to improve. The small group size was amazing (7 of us) and Allie worked hard at rearranging things so my daughter could go too! Not having to worry about taking photos, because they took photos and sent us the link to them, was a big relief. Only disappointment was no penguins or dolphins, but that's wildlife for you... Thanks for a great few hours!
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akaroa G
Thanks for the review, we always go out of our way to make sure our guests are well looked after, wildlife has it's own agenda and we see what we see on the day which most people understand. The stunning scenery alone makes this special place unforgettable! Thanks so much for coming, safe onward travels
Allie & Greville
Written January 17, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jason
1 contribution
Nov 2019
I spent a day in Akaroa and really enjoyed the kayak tour. The weather was a little windy and the guide did an excellent job of leading us to sheltered areas and calm spots of the bay. Some people did have trouble with their kayaks and he was there very quickly to help them.
The staff were very helpful teaching us how to use the kayaks and how to get into the water. Very informative and entertaining, I learned a lot from the guide about the akaroa wildlife.
I would absolutely go again to take one of their other kayak tours
The staff were very helpful teaching us how to use the kayaks and how to get into the water. Very informative and entertaining, I learned a lot from the guide about the akaroa wildlife.
I would absolutely go again to take one of their other kayak tours
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akaroa G
Thanks so much for your review, we are mobile so we always bring our guests to the most sheltered routes on the day for safety! We are so glad you enjoyed your tour with our expert guides, we love to have a good time while sharing our amazing backyard with visitors! Hopefully we can meet again on another of our kayak tours!
Allie & Greville
Written January 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
kedi_ffm
2 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
Today we went on the guided Kayak Tour through the Akaroa Bay Area with our tour guide Joey. Joey was a perfect tour guide. He shared lots of knowledge with us and explained us a lot of things about the nature and the wildlife in this area. He was very skilled in what he did and we felt very safe during the whole tour. Joey even showed us some crabs and shells during our rest at the beach and had an answer to every question. The tour in sum was an amazing 3 hour adventure and we had a lot of fun with Joey. Thank you very much!
Written January 31, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akaroa G
Thanks so much! We had a great time with you as well! Thanks for bringing your family along for a paddle with us! There is so much you can learn on a guided tour so we are so happy you had a great time!
All the best!
Written February 1, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hannah
Hancock, MI2 contributions
Wonderful experience! The area is beautiful and the guide, Joey, was very well read on local history and marine & plant life, which made the paddle all the more interesting. He also did a fantastic job of providing extra assistance to those in the group that needed it without neglecting the rest of tour to do so.
Everyone was very welcoming & had great recommendations on things to do with the rest of my time in the area as well.
Everyone was very welcoming & had great recommendations on things to do with the rest of my time in the area as well.
Written January 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akaroa G
Thanks so much for the review, we are so happy you enjoyed your time on the water with us here in beautiful Akaroa, our guides always go out of their way to look after our guests so thanks very much for coming to paddle with us!
All the best!
Written January 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Megan P
2 contributions
Feb 2020
Not only is the shoreline of Akaroa beautiful due to it's volcanic history, but our guide Jake, was exceptional. His enthusiasm, passion and knowledge of the area was incredible. The wildlife Jake pointed out was great and and the conversation and random questions we threw at him, all answered, was really entertaining. Definitely recommend this excursion. It's conveniently located within walking distance of the main part of the city as well as some hiking trails so it was a great excursion to get in for our limited time while docked for the day with a cruise ship.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akaroa G
Thanks so much for sharing your experience with others, we LOVE hosting cruise ship passengers and showing you around this amazingly beautiful part of NZ. This is one of the best locations in NZ to sea kayak so we are so glad you enjoyed your tour with our exceptional guides.
safe travels!
Written February 19, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Cameron S
Somerset, UK7 contributions
We had an awesome experience with Akaroa Guided Sea Kayaking Safaris in February. Our tour guide Joey was great fun and very informative (he also kindly retrieved my cap when it flew into the water!).
While we weren't lucky enough to spot any dolphins, some stingrays could be seen swimming below the surface and some shags came quite close which was cool.
The scenery was beautiful, and despite the fairly strong winds (which made things quite tough at times), we wouldn't hesitate to recommend this company to anyone who fancies getting out on the water and learning a thing or two about this amazing place!
While we weren't lucky enough to spot any dolphins, some stingrays could be seen swimming below the surface and some shags came quite close which was cool.
The scenery was beautiful, and despite the fairly strong winds (which made things quite tough at times), we wouldn't hesitate to recommend this company to anyone who fancies getting out on the water and learning a thing or two about this amazing place!
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akaroa G
Thanks so much for joining us for a sea kayaking tour in beautiful Akaroa, even when the weather is not perfect there is still so much beauty and alot to see in our big blue backyard!
Written March 9, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
DelphineGau
New Zealand4 contributions
We were a group of four friends and all of us really enjoyed the excursion yesterday (February 2020)! The views from the sea were amazing, and the guide explained all about the birds and volcanic rocks and sea life. He was really professional and nice, and we felt really safe with him guiding us. The security instructions were really thorough and reassuring. We didn't see any dolphins because they weren't around at that time but we saw a penguin which is also super cool and rare! Also the guide sends the pictures for free. He knew all about wild life and we learned a lot.
Written February 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akaroa G
Thanks so much for the review and for bringing your friends for a beautiful paddle with us around the marine reserve, the white flippered penguin you saw was very rare, the smallest in the world in fact! How special!
Thanks again for coming!
Allie & Greville
Written February 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
elainem03
Edmonton, Ab, Canada16 contributions
Mar 2020
I was going out solo and it was great to be matched up with a teacher from UK. Joey was thorough in putting us through safety measures. I was confident in him and the skills he has. He paddled backwards a majority of the way so it made it easy to hear him. Though interested in chatting, he was on the watch for sea animals and birds and spotted them! We saw a hectors dolphin and white-flippered penguin . Joey was knowledgeable of the area and I learned more about the seaweed in the bay and the trees on land and the history of the area! Because it was mid-tide he was able to lead us into 2 caves also. It made for a great paddle!
Written March 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Akaroa G
Thanks for the review! Our tours are super educational as well as fun, you learn so much when you have a great guide showing you around the marine reserve! Our guides know exactly where to look for special wildlife and marine species as they are on the water more than on land!
Written March 4, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi! We did this excursion! It was awesome! Guide was knowledgable and informative! He told us he would email the puctures he took of us in the water. Said about 2 wks. We've been home for 4. Anyone else have an issue with this?
Carolyn
travelingdad56
new york city131 contributions
Photos were sent the next day
Amarinder W
Vancouver, Canada
Hi, are the any restrictions for pregnant women? My wife will be 17weeks and our dr. Says it won't be a problem. Also, is it possible to reserve a 2person kayak?
Thanks!
jes48
Kelowna, Canada49 contributions
Weather forecast for nov 2nd is 11C......would love kayak but concerned about being wet & cold. How wet do you get.? Is there kayak skirts to keep dry.?
Many thanks
TravellingScientists
London, UK4 contributions
Sounds just like the conditions we had about 2 weeks ago. We were fine - plenty of layers on and yes, the kayaks have skirts so we didn't get wet. I would still go for it!
Colette M
Guelph, Canada66 contributions
Our cruise ship does not dock until 8:00 am so what time are the tours after that
karenjruby
Sydney, Australia14 contributions
I went on a tour that started at 11:30am. That would give you some time to walk around the town and grab a coffee at one of the lovely cafes. I found the tour company very prompt with answering any questions so I’m sure they would be only too happy to help you too.
Anna M
San Jose, CA4 contributions
What is the difference between this tour and the Shore Excursion: Scenic Cruiser Sea Kayaking Safaris in Akaroa? Our cruise ship will be n Akaroa on Oct. 18 and we are interested in joining the kayaking tour. We have a group of 10 people and may be most of us are interested. What is the size of the tour? Also how far is the meeting place from the cruise ship terminal?
Anthony D
Preston, UK15 contributions
It's a lot cheaper! The office where you book is right by where the buses drop cruise passengers off. I would say if you book in advance with 10 people you may even have the boat to yourself. Much more peaceful and the guides are brilliant
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
