Whanganui River Canoes
Whanganui River Canoes
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Join Whanganui River Canoes for a three - five day canoe/kayak trip on the Whanganui River. You can choose to 'do it yourself'with a freedom hire, or have our guides cater for you and show you the best spots along the river. You can meet us the night before your trip at the Raetihi Holiday Park for comfortable, affordable accommodation, or ask us about our Holiday Home if that is more your style. We will make sure you are packed, briefed and ready to go before you start the adventure of your lifetime.
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Whanganui River Canoes
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5.0
140 reviews
Excellent
127
Very good
7
Average
5
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Felix1777
Wabern, Switzerland12 contributions
Jan 2020
We arrived on 25 January at Raetihi Holiday Park and our first impression was: what a chaotic office and what a mess around it ... A few days later we understood the reason for this: Ben and Rebecca do not just rent campsites - no: they are the organizers of the best Whanganui River Canoe Tours. And they have to supervise everything: instruct those who arrive, help those that want to leave, rent material and, in particular, bins that help you to protect your stuff while being on the canoe tour, bring the people to Whakahoro (from where most of the canoe tours start) and finally fetch them at the end of the tour in Pipiriki. Ben and Rebecca plus the father and mother of Rebecca do a great job, from early morning till late in the evening. Thanks to them we - a family with two kids of 8 and 9y. - felt well prepared while being on a 2 day Whanganui River canoe tour. And when we were back at Raetihi Campground, the best thing was that this campsite has the best showers we have seen on our 2 month NZ trip. Can only recommend this place!
Written 17 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.
Hi Felix, lol, yes we do lead a very hectic, chaotic lifestyle :) Raising three children, running a Holiday Park, Canoe Hire, and Mountain Bike Shuttles is a little full on ;) Thanks so much for paddling with us, and enjoying your time at our Holiday Park - was great meeting you and your family.
Written 20 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kate R
Rotorua, New Zealand17 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
We booked a 3 day trip with Whanganui River Canoes and can highly recommend them. Ben and Rebecca and their team were very friendly, well organised and clearly take the safety of their clients very seriously. The pre trip video briefing and paddling demo on the river bank were clear and well delivered. Very much enjoyed the afternoon tea when we got back in off the river on the last day.
We also stayed one night in a cabin at the Raetihi Holiday Park which was also very good. Very clean and new facilities. Comfortable bed. Made it easy to get up early to get ready the next morning.
We also stayed one night in a cabin at the Raetihi Holiday Park which was also very good. Very clean and new facilities. Comfortable bed. Made it easy to get up early to get ready the next morning.
Written 4 January 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.
Ina D
Whanganui, New Zealand16 contributions
Oct 2020
It was a pleasure, from the first email, to booking, to actually canoeing, and ultimately arriving in Pipiriki after 3 days on the River. We were impressed with the friendliness and helpfulness of all staff we encountered. We had booked freedom hire and hired a tent and cooking gear. Everything was in very good condition. The safety briefing was detailed and a River map was provided. The journey was magical helped by weather that was better than expected and the majesty of the River and its surroundings. We were welcomed at the other end with a BBQ and hot drinks which was such a lovely touch. The holiday park also has the best showers and WCs in the North Island.
A special mention has to go to the company's local river guide who accompanied one group but who shared with and cared for everyone on the River. He also had to put his skills to the test when a canoe capsized - a textbook recovery!
It was a joy to explore the River. We highly recommend Whanganui River Canoes and the River - go explore what's on your doorstep with these locals.
A special mention has to go to the company's local river guide who accompanied one group but who shared with and cared for everyone on the River. He also had to put his skills to the test when a canoe capsized - a textbook recovery!
It was a joy to explore the River. We highly recommend Whanganui River Canoes and the River - go explore what's on your doorstep with these locals.
Written 27 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.
Thanks so much for paddling with us, and for your amazing review.
Awesome to hear you had a fantastic trip with some really lovely weather.
Our guides are pretty awesome, and help everyone on the river around them enjoy their trip just that little bit more.
Thanks again for paddling with us and the awesome feedback :)
Written 8 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Campervan Castaways
North Wales, UK3 contributions
Dec 2019
Our self-guided 3-day adventure a few days before Christmas was something completely new to us novice canoeists! The only Great Walk that isn’t a walk at all, began at Raetihi Holiday Park where we stayed the night before, hiring the canoes too, from the super-friendly owners, who also own Whanganui River Canoes. We watched a safety video at the office, were given 2 barrels each for our gear/food and a waterproof box for electricals. Really well organised on the day, leaving at 8am, with refreshments on the terrace first and a place to securely park our vehicles whilst on the Journey. Canoes looked well looked after. They provide bus transport to the start (1/12 hours away) and pick up at 2pm at the finish. Another short safety briefing was given at the river before launching us into the water! We were given a safety beacon so we could send emergency signals for our group, should we need help. Really friendly owners, very well organised and accommodating. The Journey was incredible, scenic and remote but hard work with a headwind and full river (loads of rain beforehand). Pick up was as arranged and on arrival back at the campground they provided us with a BBQ and cakes! The holiday park was really clean, modern facilities, powerful showers, good kitchen.
Written 5 January 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.
Strphen
Porirua, New Zealand28 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
Originally we planned a one day bike trip followed by a four day canoe trip and 2 days more cycling. Whanganui River Canoes were handling all the transfers of us and gear as needed, and the rain got in the way. Canoe trip postponed. They worked with us to fit in with some immovable external bookings so we could do a 3-day canoe trip in the time we had available and still do all but one day of our previous planned trip, albeit a different order. They were great - courteous, helpful, understanding and did all they could to make our holiday a great success and memory.
Written 6 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 Stephen, thanks so much for paddling, and staying with us at our Holiday Park too.
That weather was fairly terrible wasn't it !! Glad we were able to help you do your trip still, even if in a bit of a different order to what you had planned ;)
It was awesome to meet you both - I hope you enjoy the rest of your travels ;)
Written 13 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
strum3nt
Whangarei, New Zealand8 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
We highly recommend Whanganui River Canoes. We did the three day from Whakaporo to Pipiriki, and it was fantastic. WRC has very friendly staff, they gave us an excellent safety briefing beforehand including tips and tricks for the river. Drop off and pick up were seamless. Great experience all around A+++
Also really liked the afternoon tea and hot chips at base on return - they also offered hot showers before we went on our way!
Also really liked the afternoon tea and hot chips at base on return - they also offered hot showers before we went on our way!
Written 29 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.
Hi there, thanks so much for paddling with us. We love hearing such awesome feedback :)
Written 8 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mtngirl38
Canada131 contributions
Dec 2021
Excellent place. We had a group that stayed in their cabins and did the 4 day canoe trip. Everything is extremely well run and organized. I highly recommend it. The cabins are clean, the bathrooms and showers are awesome and there is also a laundry area. Lots of short walks around the area from the cabins. The canoe trips are extremely well run and organized, it was extremely impressive. You watch a video, learn about the trip, then get bags and barrels to put your stuff in. They take you to the river. You get your canoes and paddles, lifejackets, emergency beacon. You have fun on the river and they pick you up at the end of your journey and take you back. You get to keep your car at their place. And they even give you some drinks and snacks when you get back, which was a welcome surprise bonus. I highly recommend the Whanganui River Canoes
Written 8 January 2022
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, thanks so much for paddling with us; and your awesome review!!
Fantastic that you enjoyed your trip, and thanks for showing your appreciation for all of the work we put in for every group we work with, to make sure everyone has a safe and fun trip on the river.
Written 14 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
GsTaihape
Taihape, New Zealand41 contributions
Feb 2020
It's always good to book ahead, essential with a big crowd, but these locals were also flexible and accommodating while taking their business seriously. And the Whanganui River is their business! The briefing was thorough and all the equipment was great. Very good coffee and chocolate cake topped off our adventure. Thanks team!
Written 3 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.
Hi there, thanks so much for your review -it is really lovely to see that you appreciated the safety briefing and our equipment - we do try very hard to keep everything in ship shape ;)
Thanks again for paddling with us :)
Written 8 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sarah W
Melbourne, Australia5 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
Our whānau of 16 enjoyed a three day kayak trip with Whanganui River Canoes. Ben and Rebecca offer an excellent service. They provided accomodation the night before our paddle, drop off and pick up from the river and hot showers and a sausage sizzle on our return. All equipment is provided including kayak, life jackets, barrels, wet bags and day bags. Would highly recommend and would book with them again.
Written 26 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.
Thanks for your review - we really love helping families paddle down the Whanganui River and make awesome memories.
It is really cool to see that you appreciated all of our equipment and the afternoon tea when you got back - see you next time you paddle the Whanganui River ;)
Written 8 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Anna S
Melbourne, Australia97 contributions
Apr 2021 • Friends
Would fully recommend, my Mum and I did the guided 3 day option. Our guide Hone was great and filled with stories as well as super useful tips for getting through the rapids. Equipment and instructions (including packing list and safety stuff) seemed a lot more organised and useful than other people we met along the river with other companies. Food that was catered was amazing, no complaints, we had a wonderful time.
Written 26 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.
I booked with Whanganui Canoes after seeing their web site, reviews and equipment but they have not responded to a single e-mail after booking. I am very concerned about showing up this month and really wonder about all these excellent reviews after repeated (and increasingly desperate) pleas for information from them No response whatsoever. I checked again and there are recent reviews so apparently they really are in business but how can I get them to communicate with me?????
Written 2 February 2023
Hi - you have some great reviews ! A couple of questions What is the youngest age you would recommend ? What is the largest group you would recommend ? We are 3-4 families would you recommend self or guided ? Thank you
Written 2 January 2020
Hi there Wendy, thanks for your question. I sent through an email to you last night ;) we recommend 7 as the minimum age, and group size recommendations vary depending on the mixture of ages and experience paddling or in the outdoors. Wd have guided school groups of 50 and plenty of groups of families anywhere from 5 - 25. But we have enough canoes for 150 people at a time.
Written 2 January 2020
We are 3 ladies in our 50s sporting active and fit but with only a little canoeing experience. Would we need a guide/tuition to complete the three day tour? We would be looking to come Feb.24th ish 2016 . We are hoping to catch the Northern Explorer to the National Park on the 23rd Feb. Is it poss to arrange a pick up from there? Thanks in anticipation.
Written 9 November 2015
Hi there, thank you for your question. I would recommend taking the train to Ohakune, as that is only 10 minutes away so a lot easier for us to pick you up.
We do offer a full briefing, and description of the river, and how to paddle before your trip. A lot of our paddlers have only had a little experience, and love the trip!
In late February the river is often quite low, which will make it a little more difficult to navigate around some obstacles.
We are happy to offer a guided trip if you feel you would need it. Feel free to email us for more information. Thanks again, Rebecca
Written 10 November 2015
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