Sea Kayaking – where to go and what to do

Courtesy of New Zealand – by David Williams, general outdoors instructor and Kayak Instructor for Kokako Lodge Hunua, and AUT University

As highlighted in our last kayaking article, where you go and what you do will greatly dictate the outcome of your experience. On any successful kayaking expedition you have fundamental equipment that must be taken. These key items include, the kayak (duh), paddle, buoyancy aid (life jacket, not blow up doll), boat shoes (aqua socks), a dry bag or waterproof sack, communication device (mobile phone), map of the area, camping permit (if required), water, food, sunblock, and spare warm dry clothes. Any other items you take are for luxury purposes, including tents, sleeping bags, bed rolls, and a nice bottle of wine for the rewarding overnight voyages. The little luxury items can make all the difference to your attitude after a big day of paddling and help you set a positive mind frame for the next leg of the journey.

There are many places you can hire a kayak and equipment across New Zealand and most of these places can provide guided tours, or can put you on to a company who can. Most hire outfits also do sales. Canoe and Kayak is a chain store with shops all over New Zealand that provide all services. In the Auckland region alone there are many amazing paddles to take. We have been blessed with many beautiful islands to explore as well as stunning coastline. Some great starting points in Auckland include Long bay on the North Shore, from which you can head north towards the Whangaparoa peninsula and check out Dacre cottage in Okura which is also a great camping spot, or head south and explore the plush East Coast Bays city beaches like Milford and Takapuna. One plus of these beaches is that if you’re thirsty you can beach up and pop into a pub or café to complete your urban experience.

Ferg’s Kayaks for many years have provided excellent service and deals and offer packages including guided day and multi day tours around the islands of the Hauraki, just look for Marlow and Tell him Dave W sent you ;-).

A must see by kayak in Coromandel is Cathedral Cove in Hahei. I do not want to give anything away about this breathtaking place – just go there and see why it has been included in this piece. Sea Kayak tours has further information.

A great way to explore the great lakes of Rotorua is through here. There are truck loads of insanely beautiful lakes and rivers to paddle in the Rotorua region so my advice is to venture out from the main city. (There is a shop called sunspots in Rotorua which I recommend to visit for friendly advice and service). Taupo is also a must do in the paddling itinerary as it is so beautiful and accessible. I suggest visiting Canoe & Kayak Taupo and finding a tour that will take you to see the ancient Maori carvings.

Of course this article would not be complete without a mention of New Zealand’s sea kayaking capital: Nelson and the Abel Tasman National Park. This is one of the most famous sea kayaking destinations in the world, and with very good reason. The countless breathtaking views and beaches are topped off with an abundance of sea and wild life on display. Click here for more information.

The final stop on this sea kayaking epic lies at the bottom west of the South Island at New Zealand’s (and one of the world’s) largest national parks, known as Fiordland. This park has the full package with glacially carved lakes (Te Anau and Manapouri), waterfalls, rivers, 14 fiords (hence the name) and a indescribable remoteness that could reinvent your life. For the best Fiordland kayak adventures go here.

Sea kayaking is one of the oldest forms of recreation known to man, with the modern version being modeled on all the same principles and values. The sea demands respect and rewards you with growth.

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the places and moments that take our breath away.”

(Anon)

Happy Kayaking