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Akaroa Tours
Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve
5

Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve

By Akaroa Guided Kayak Safari
Recommended by 98% of travelers
98% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Ages 10-90, max of 17 per group
Duration: 2–3 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English, French, Spanish
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Written guide
Print or digital reading material such as a guide, map, brochure, etc.
: English, French, Spanish
More


  • Local knowledgeable Guide
  • Kayak safari
  • All kayaking equipment including spray skirts and jackets
What's not included
  • Transport to/from attractions
  • Gratuities
  • Snacks


Start:Multiple pickup locations offered.
  • 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
Pickup details
  • If you are arriving via cruise ship into Akaroa Port our meeting point is outside the bowling club in Akaroa which is 10 minute walking distance If you are arriving into Lyttleton Port you must book via this link to secure transport and activity. https://www.leisuretours.co.nz/day_tour/sea-kayaking/
Port pickup offered
During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included ports.
  • Ākaroa Bowling Club, Rue Jolie, Akaroa 7542, New Zealand
Additional pickup options
During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included pickup points.
  • Ākaroa Bowling Club, Rue Jolie, Akaroa 7542, New Zealand
End:This activity ends back at the meeting 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 17 travelers

    • All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

    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

    From
    $76.78
    per adult
    Select date and travelers

    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • 1
      Our 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!
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Akaroa Guided Kayak Safari
      706
      Akaroa, New Zealand
      Joined in September 2010
    • Curious615198
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great experience, but tour was of the bay, not the reserve.
      We had a good experience with this tour, but only saw birds. The area is beautiful, but there are motor boats and jet skis all over, so that may have kept the other animals away. We had hoped for a more isolated experience based on the description. Apparently, we were kayaking near the reserve, not in it. I would have given a 5-star if the description identified that we would leave right from the Akaroa bay and enjoy those sights as they are very nice indeed.
      Written January 4, 2025
    • BarboraNav
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      The best tour ever and Peter is a legend!
      This was the best tour I’ve ever done. Such a nice area, Peter, the tour guide was very funny, friendly and he knows everything about the area! Thank you so much guys and keep doing such an amazing job! :)
      Written January 3, 2025
    • martindM7093KR
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great kayaking experience
      Great experience. Hadn't kayaked for many years, great to get to do it again, and in a great location. Our guide was Peter. He was very knowledgeable about the area, the history and the wildlife. Would recommend this trip.
      Written December 30, 2024
    • 892greigc
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Book this experience!!
      Highly recommend booking this! We had a great time. Peter was so knowledgeable and friendly. The communication beforehand was great. It was a bit cloudy with some spots of rain, which honestly just made it feel pretty magical. The water looked like glass!
      Written December 25, 2024
    • christopherlR3754OI
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Beautiful day on the water
      Our family of 7 (kids ages 8 - 17) had a fabulous time out on the water. Jack our guide was incredibly helpful and engaging. He was patient and encouraging with the whole family. They were flexible with timing allowing us to start a little early. We couldn't ask for a better day or a better guide!
      Written December 24, 2024
    • charliebR7206DE
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great full day of activities for Adventurers
      The sea was perfectly calm and no wind making it a perfect day for kayaking. Everyone in the group including Quentin our guide was fun and friendly making the trip even more enjoyable. The self guided bike tour around the crater rim was magical and the Ebikes made it much less challenging so that you can enjoy the views and explore even beyond the recommended route without it being a hardcore workout.
      Written December 23, 2024
    • L3764BPhannahs
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellent experience in nature!
      We had a fantastic time out in the Harbour! We booked through Bookme which was smooth, and were contacted by the company to say that because the weather was good, we would go further and was that ok - yes!! Peter was a great guide, chatty, informative and made everyone feel welcome. We were lucky enough to see seals, dolphins and lots of birds! No penguins, they are in the next bay over which is protected. We had thought about doing a wildlife cruise/swim as well but after doing this we felt we had already had an amazing experience and didn’t need to splash out on the expensive, less eco friendly tours. Peter was very thoughtful about the wellbeing of the dolphins, ensuring that when we spotted them, we didn’t approach them, but stayed nearby to see if they would come to us, which they did! What a beautiful way to enjoy nature, thanks Peter and co! Has
      Written December 14, 2024
    • Navigate43456280421
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great time - you won’t regret it!
      It was a great experience, I highly recommend it. Peter was a brilliant guide, had a great sense of humour and was very knowledgeable about both the cultural and geographical history. We went out on an overcast morning and got caught in a bit of rain, so didn’t manage to see any dolphins but it was still a fun experience none the less! Definitely a fun experience even if you have next to no experience like us!
      Written December 7, 2024
    • donyah212
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      If only one thing, do this
      We started at Onuku Marae on a calm day AND we actually saw hector dolphins. They came by and went around our Kayaks. We also saw Shags, Cormorants, seals and pubs ☺️ Highly recommended Peter, our guide on the water who was energetic and enthusiastic to ensure we see and do as much as we can.
      Written December 4, 2024
    • 12LizzyK
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Loved the sea kayaking
      The Sea Kayaking was really good fun. Our guide Peter, was friendly and knowledgeable, making sure we were all safe before we set off and then telling us what we might see and information about things we actually did see. The pace was perfect and Peter made sure we allstayed safe whilst out on the water. We were really lucky and saw a dolphin as we were returning to base - fleeting, but it was an amazing sight. A great activity; well worth it, and we had beautiful weather.
      Written November 29, 2024
    • florancev2021
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Lovely!
      Peter was really fun! The kayaking was nice, good pace, small group. Peter had a lot to tell about the area. Saw some birds, unfortunately no other sea animals.
      Written November 27, 2024
    • 447dorak
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing wildlife, knowledgeable guide
      Amazing tour! Lovely being out in the water so early, lots of wildlife around and great infos by Peter, our amazing guide!
      Written November 24, 2024
    • Journey17494295840
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Lovely morning with lots of animals and info!
      Peter gave us an amazing tour of the marine reserve. We saw Dolphins right after launch, seals and all the birds the region has to offer. Peter also told us much about the geology and both historical and cultural importance of the place. We always felt safe and as avid sea kayakers Peter also showed us some fun gaps and caves to go through - always respecting marine life and vegetation. All in all, couldn’t recommend this enough! Go in the mornings as wind will be down.
      Written November 24, 2024
    • gasgenie
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Breathtaking views over Akaroa
      This e-bike tour was offered to me as a replacement for the.kayak safari I had booked - weather and wind were too unfavourable for being on the water. I would thoroughly recommend it as an activity to do around Akaroa. There are spectacular views to be had by getting up to the heights above the town, and an ebike is definitely needed to conquer the hills. It isn’t very physically taxing, but I would say that given the steep descents some degree of confidence on a bike is advised to maximize the enjoyment of the experience. My guide, Peter, is normally a kayak specialist but proved equally adept as a guide for the bike tour. He was cheerful and enthusiastic despite the early start and the cold wet blustery conditions, very knowledgeable (especially given that he is not a Kiwi) about the history of the area, Māori culture, the surrounding ocean and wildlife. He was attentive to my comfort and safety. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in his company and can imagine that he would be a great kayak guide as well.
      Written November 20, 2024
    • sammM9740GT
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      scenic Kayaking
      Unreal place and a great way to see it. Great tour guide called Peter, very knowledgeable . If you are after beautiful scenery, geological greatness and a nice challenge this is the place for you
      Written November 12, 2024
    See all 706 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members 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.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles126 reviews
    Excellent
    113
    Very good
    11
    Average
    1
    Poor
    1
    Terrible
    0

    Martin P
    Sidmouth, UK12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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.
    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.

    Joe F
    Orlando, FL37 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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!
    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.

    453adk
    Latham, NY4 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    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.
    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
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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
    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.
    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
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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.
    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
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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.
    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.
    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
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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.
    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.

    DelphineGau
    New Zealand4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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.
    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.

    Cameron S
    Somerset, UK7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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!

    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.
    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.

    elainem03
    Edmonton, Ab, Canada20 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    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.
    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.

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    Shore Excursion Guided Sea Kayaking through Akaroa Marine Reserve provided by Akaroa Guided Kayak Safari

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