Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura
5
Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura
By Kaikoura Kayaks
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About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 3-90
Duration: 3h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
- Private transportation
- Dry bags for camera's, all kayaking equipment, paddle jackets, wet shoes, spray skirts, dry pants, gloves and hats over the winter months.
- Start:
- 19 Killarney Street, Kaikōura 7300, New ZealandTravel through the main street of Kaikoura South past the Information Centre towards the seal colony and take your first right off the Esplanade on to Killarney st. Look for the Kaikoura Kayaks yellow street sign and flying banner at our base. Please check in 15 minutes prior to departure.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair 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: 246568P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Most travellers can participate
- In any adventure activity, there is an element of risk involved. Risks in undertaking this activity include, property damage, personal injury, illness because of adverse weather conditions, risk of drowning, death, sunburn, dehydration, hyperthermia, and exhaustion.
- We recommend you bring the following: Long sleeved thermal top, Fleece (if a bit chilly), shorts or light pants e.g. quick drys, NO JEANS! Sunglasses, cap, running shoes or sandals, drinking water, camera and towel.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- 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: 246568P1
From
$150.00
per adult
Select date and travellers
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Anne P0 contributionsStunning sea kayak from KaikouraFantastic experience and our guide Cam was great at looking after us all. Kept us together and even took some photos which he shared with us. Felt very safe and loved being out at sea with the beautiful view of the mountains.Written 18 January 2025
- NorthStar147954502990 contributionsWill make you want a Kayak of your ownThe business was very well set up and run, from arrival to leaving. Organisation was slick, the guides were friendly and we were always comfortable. We were all in two person kayaks, and there were three kayaks in our group. We got to see some great scenery, seals and the odd penguin. I particularly enjoyed turning all the kayaks in to one great bobbing raft while watching the fur seals lolling about, but my favourite part was heading just out of the shelter of the bay and feeling the rock of the swells in the little boat! Emma our guide was a boss, never steered us wrong and kept us calm when we were uncertain of our ability, and took some great photos for us when I was too busy watching the scenery to do it myself.Written 18 January 2025
- Hannah B0 contributionsAmazing!!!!!!!!We had a really great time joining a sunset tour. Great communication with the company as strong winds were predicted and we were offered a different date and times. Due to our plans we couldn’t change but they kept us up to date on whether it would go ahead. We were forewarned about the conditions so we could make an informed choice, which thankfully agreed to go ahead. We were completely kitted out (boots, waterproof jacket, skirt and trousers if you wanted them) the kayaks were also much better than ones we had when we were in Norway! My boyfriend just about fit, without it being painful and he is 6”4. All our guides were great but Brad and Charli were assigned to group and they were amazing!! Brad was pointing out all the interesting birds and had great knowledge to go with them! Charli was fun and gave great tips! Thanks to you all for agreeing to take us out in the super windy conditions! Would definitely book with this company again if (hopefully when) we come back to NZWritten 5 January 2025
- Ben P0 contributionsHighly recommended’Had such a fun time! Our guides were excellent giving us our instructions and for giving us lessons on the local wild life, recommended for anyone travelling through the Kaikōura areaWritten 18 December 2024
- S6301QJmegang0 contributionsThe best of KaikouraBy far one of the best experiences of our life. We had guide Zoe who was absolutely amazing. We are a family of six (2adults, 4 kids) and Zoe was so friendly and interacted well with all our kids. Was such a well organised tour and loved the dolphins playing right there with us. Words certainly can't describe how amazing this tour was.Written 16 December 2024
- Happiness100582823860 contributionsAmazing experience!The sea kayaking tour was incredible! Cam was my guide and he was friendly, knowledgeable, and made this experience unforgettable. It was a great way to see Kaikoura and learn more about the area. I'm really happy I did this tour, and recommend it to others!Written 16 December 2024
- Ferny2160 contributionsA lovely way to spend an evening and get upclose to the wildlife.We had a brilliant time exploring the bay on our Kayaks. I believe our guide was called Issy, she said she was from Scotland and had not long been working in the area. Despite that she was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about getting us to see the wildlife, we got up close to some seals and had a nice paddle around the bay as the sun set. It was a nice steady paddle i would suggest suitable for all abilities. I would certainly return to do it again next time I'm in New Zealand and will be recommending it to anyone who will be visiting the area too.Written 25 November 2024
- DayTrip5045950 contributionsAwesome kayak experience!Awesome time with our guide Zoe. Saw dolphins, seals, fish churning and bird wild life. Equipment excellent. We felt safe and well looked after. Not hurried. An enjoyable morning. Thanks Zoe.Written 5 November 2024
- sallytA5566KY0 contributionsGreat trip.Great trip. Good guides. Nice evening paddle, even on a gray day. Very accommodating. Well organized. Would recommend.Written 31 October 2024
- W751IFannac0 contributionsEpic!We had an awesome time - the guides were great and had so many fun facts to share. Unexpected highlight was seeing pods of dolphins!Written 16 October 2024
- X6698XQluciem0 contributionsFantasticMagical experience! We went on a tour Saturday morning with our two kids (13 and 15) with guide Brad and we had THE best tour ever! Would absolutely recommend!Written 2 June 2024
- Dreamer374216081190 contributionsKayak at sunsetOne of the best kayak experience in my life !! I was with a friend at sunset Time (we were only two with the guide) ! We saw many dolphins (200 maybe) all around us and jumping, it was like a private show. I recommand 100%!! I will remember this day all my life. Thank you !!Written 28 April 2024
- deboraheD3086IP0 contributionsHad an amazing timeHad an amazing time, stunning scenery, great guide, thorough demo on use of equipment. One of my favourite parts of my NZ tripWritten 8 April 2024
- heatherjP1018CF0 contributionsWonderful kayak experience! 10/10 recommend.The staff were incredible. We went in early April, so a bit after the traditional season. However, the kayaking was very nice and had excellent instruction and fun on the water. We saw a few fur seals basking on the rocks and one in the water which was a treat. Our tour guides were the highlight, very funny and personable as well as informative and their positivity and light-heartenedness really made the experience memorable. My sister and I had a great time. Their kayaks are very well taken care of and they provided everyone with waterproof equipment including pants, jackets, hats, neoprene booties, and pogies to keep our hands warm. Cheers! 🩵Written 5 April 2024
- Odyssey042537827960 contributionsSunset kayakingWow! Thus was such an AMAZING trip! The guide was really friendly and very helpful. She took great care of the whole group both out of the water and on it. She was aware of a big pod of dolphin and we opted to go to see these. How truly awesome! The pod swam with us, under the kayaks, jumping and showing off! There were some small babies swimming with their mums too. And then the beautiful colours of the sunset as we were kayaking back were so amazing. Thus was truly one of me "bucket lust" moments!Written 3 April 2024
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.
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5.0
368 reviews
Excellent
331
Very good
22
Average
11
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Thomas M
San Francisco31 contributions
Feb 2020
Eight of us from our tour group signed up for kayaking in hopes of seeing some dolphins and seals but not harboring high expectations. Being from San Francisco, seal and sea lion sightings were commonplace so we were mostly concerned with spotting some dolphins. It was somewhat of an overcast day but not cold as we paddled out from the beach with our guides Maria and Emma. Shortly thereafter, Maria's walkie talkie crackled to life with the voice of Emma saying that she had spotted a group of dolphins about a quarter mile from where we were. We pointed our kayaks in that direction and paddled for all we were worth in hopes of getting there before the dolphins disappeared. When we reached Emma and her group, we found ourselves surrounded by what must have been 100 to 150 dolphins swimming along with us, many of which were leaping out of the water and some doing single and even double flips in the air. I thought that sort of thing could only be seen at a facility like Marineworld but our guide said this was common behavior among the male dolphins, showing off for the females, or maybe even the tourists. The display was ongoing and spectacular! We could see them swimming next to and under our kayaks close enough for us to touch. After what seemed like 15 - 20 minutes, the pod turned toward the open sea and departed. In their absence, we headed to the nearby seal colony to view a number of these animals lying about on the rocks. Not much action there so we headed back toward the beach where we launched and as we did, we spotted the dolphins again coming our way. As before, they accompanied us for the next 15 minutes or so before heading back out to sea. Even our guides were astonished at the number of dolphins and the amount of time they spent with us. It was truly one of the highlights of our New Zealand trip.
Written 8 March 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.
Wow thank you for the incredible review!
Sounds like you hit the jackpot with seeing so many Dusky Dolphins.
Our guides love what they do! We are privileged to be a highlight of your New Zealand trip.
Kind regards,
The friendly team at Kaikoura Kayaks
Written 18 May 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wander627489
Arlington, VA3 contributions
This was a lovely experience. Our enthusiastic guide, Emma, led our group of 7 on a short paddle to the seal colony where we spent 45 minutes or so watching seals posture, waddle, and swim. We stayed the mandatory 20 meters from the seals on land, but the seals in the water swam quite close to our boats. We also had striking views of the shore line. Everything about the trip was professional, pleasant, and safe. I would rate Kaikoura Kayaks a “Must Do” when in Kaikōura.
Written 27 February 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.
Thank you for the "Must Do" recommendation! Sounds like you had a lovely time out on the water with guide Emma
Warm regards,
The friendly team at Kaikoura Kayaks
Written 18 May 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Nic
2 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
We were impressed by the leaders of the tour Cowan and Emma. Professional and friendly,they represent New Zealanders well. Tour went to plan. We were kept well informed throughout and learnt a bit on the way.
Would recommend taking the early morning tours as weather tends to be more settled. Cheers
Would recommend taking the early morning tours as weather tends to be more settled. Cheers
Written 16 February 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.
Thank you - Go Kiwi Go :)
Written 20 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Daniel T
Rangiora3 contributions
Jun 2020 • Couples
My wife and I had an amazing time on our trip, we were booked in for a later tour, but Matt from Kaikoura Kayaks suggested the weather would be better for earlier in the day, and he was absolutely right. Our guide Emma was fantastic, and did an amazing job keeping us under control and on track, she was even thoughtful enough to reassure the missus when she wasn't feeling confident kayaking in the open water with a little bit of swell. I would definately reccomend this tour, and would consider going again.
Written 27 June 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.
Thank you for the detailed review Daniel- glad to hear you and your partner both enjoyed the tour!
We will be sure to pass the feedback onto Matt and Emma.
Many thanks,
The friendly team at Kaikoura Kayaks
Written 1 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Emily C
Wellington, New Zealand26 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Equipment was in good condition and It was a nice relaxing trip with a good view of the seals.
We did the sunset kayak trip and unfortunately the route was very short and not much paddling. Lots of floating around killing time.
Wouldn’t recommend as it’s very expensive for what it is and was over before the sun had even set. There are some much better kayak trips in New Zealand which are much better value. For those wanting a sunset trip I would recommend Rangitoto island kayak trip in Auckland.
We did the sunset kayak trip and unfortunately the route was very short and not much paddling. Lots of floating around killing time.
Wouldn’t recommend as it’s very expensive for what it is and was over before the sun had even set. There are some much better kayak trips in New Zealand which are much better value. For those wanting a sunset trip I would recommend Rangitoto island kayak trip in Auckland.
Written 24 October 2021
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 your honest feedback Emily. We try to cater to all our client’s needs and different abilities while out on the water. Every tour we run is always different due to weather, marine life interaction and participants. We will take your feedback on board for the future
Kind regards,
The Kaikoura Kayaks team
Written 17 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tom H
Cambridge, UK5 contributions
Spent a truly incredible morning around the Kaikoura Peninsula with Matt and Emma, two fantastic local guides. The whole operation was very professional, with high quality kayaks, equipment and a detailed safety briefing. Spent a good amount of time observing the seals, tried our hand at some kayak surfing in the big swells, and just as we were thinking about heading home, encountered a superpod of about 100 dusky dolphins completely by chance. Needless to say this was unbelievably lucky, but an absolutely unforgettable experience, and just goes to show the abundance of marine life in Kaikoura. Thanks for an awe-inspiring day out in the kayaks!
Written 19 March 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.
I love your title!!! Thank you so much:)
Written 19 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Russellkwa
Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, New Zealand3 contributions
Oct 2021 • Solo
Extremely well run organisation and amazing guides. From the minute you arrive till the end of the trip, you’re given clear instructions and well looked after by the crew.
Emma gave a running commentary on the wildlife and local region through the entire tour. Despite there being other guests, the level of attention given to us individually made it feel like it was a private trip.
Worth every cent, will definitely return to do a kayak fishing tour or perhaps rent a paddle board for the day.
Cheers Emma and Miles, I had an amazing time with Kaikōura kayaks. (:
Emma gave a running commentary on the wildlife and local region through the entire tour. Despite there being other guests, the level of attention given to us individually made it feel like it was a private trip.
Worth every cent, will definitely return to do a kayak fishing tour or perhaps rent a paddle board for the day.
Cheers Emma and Miles, I had an amazing time with Kaikōura kayaks. (:
Written 16 October 2021
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 taking the time to leave a review Russell, we are stoked to hear you enjoyed your tour with us! Emma and Miles love showcasing Kaikoura by kayak :)
Written 17 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jasmyn Kara
2 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
The guides Emma and Jonna made us (inexperienced kayakers) feel very secure before we got on the water and that we were in the best care. Jonna tailored our trip on the water to what we wanted to see of the wildlife that was around. We had such a cruisy but fun time, Jonna gave us lots of little interesting nuggets of information about everything we saw! My daughter and her friend (both 14) loved seeing the seal feeding, and thought that was the best part.
Written 31 October 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.
What a great way to spend a birthday! Thanks for paddling with us:) We will be sure to pass the feedback onto Emma and Jonna!
Kind regards,
The friendly team at Kaikoura Kayaks
Written 3 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Petra
1 contribution
Feb 2021
We had an amazing time on the water, I highly recommend this experience to anyone who loves getting up close with nature. We had the privilege of having Shay guide us which made the trip all the better, a fun and knowledgeable guide. We were extremely lucky to have lots of dolphin encounters and the seals were also putting on a great show.
Written 19 April 2021
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 appreciate the support:)
Written 19 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bruce B
Auckland, New Zealand33 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We took the wildlife sea-kayak tour and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. In fact it would rate as one of the best experiences we have ever done. It was very professionally run with a great guide, Shay who gave excellent instruction for those of us who hadn’t sea-kayaked before. Then we set off and once we got underway Shay was on to trying to find if there were any dolphins on the area. A phone call told him that there were but a long paddle away. The group voted to go visit the seals first then go searching for dolphins. After a really long paddle we FOUND a HUGE pod of dolphins who were in a very playful mood. What an experience up and close to these beautiful creatures who swam around us, dived under our kayaks, and leaped out of the sea with backward somersaults and lay on their back splashing us with their flippers! We stayed so long out with the dolphins, they moved the van around further along the shore so we didn’t have to paddle so far back! Even so we were still late back! Shay did a fantastic job and we all loved the experience. Would highly recommend!
Written 12 April 2021
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.
Hi, we are 2 adult, and 1 kid
Then how many boat will move?
Im thinking we will take this trip at the end of December , this season is also proper to enjoy all wild animals?
What time do we need to arrive at pier ?
Written 4 September 2024
I'm not familiar with their pregnancy policy, but my best guess is: if it fits, it sits. It's a closed top kayak, so your belly has to fit in. You will also wear a spray skirt around your waist that should fit comfortably enough for the entire trip. They have two person kayaks, so if you bring a string companion or team up with one of the guides the activity won't be too tiring. It's mostly a leisurely paced peddle. Hope that helps.
Written 12 January 2024
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