Okarito Kayaks
Okarito Kayaks
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Kayaking on Okarito Lagoon, New Zealand's largest unmodified coastal wetland. Guided tours and freedom rental. Excellent birdwatching and amazing mountain views. Paddle through the Okarito River Delta that leads deep into the rainforest.Our kayaks are safe, stable sea kayaks. Prior experience is not necessary and full instruction is given.Okarito is a quaint coastal village backdropped by the Southern Alps, only 20 minutes drive from Franz Josef Glacier, and has the best coffee in town!
Okarito, New Zealand
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024
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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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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5.0
225 reviews
Excellent
207
Very good
13
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
HelenBowen
Tokyo, Japan33 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
Gemma and Baz run a wonderful family business. We did a guided two hour kayak tour into Okarito lagoon - the day after a massive rain. The day before Gemma had lent us two rain jackets as we forgot ours! Gemma has huge knowledge about native plants and birds. The tour was one of the best I have experienced - totally recommend.
Written 9 November 2024
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.
Kia ora Helen - thanks heaps for the nice review; we loved having you & Cathy on the water with us. Great to have enthusiastic and curious kayakers to explore with. Glad you enjoyed your stay in Ōkārito - suspect we'll see you again sometime? Baz
Written 9 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
tim s
christchurch2 contributions
Apr 2022
we hired two double kayaks on Easter monday on the half day self guided trip and on such a beautiful day this experience is frankly fantastic . Great set up friendly, really helpful owner the equipment is excellent the view of the Alps breathtaking and the serenity drifting down the smaller reaches of the lagoon is unforgettable i would highly recommend putting this on your must do's if you are anywhere near by enjoy .It is the third time i have done this over twenty years and each time is as special as the first .
Written 20 April 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.
Tim, thanks heaps - stoked you got so much out of it; this is exactly what we're aiming for. Ōkārito Kayaks has been here for over thirty years now, three local families owning and operating the business over that time - and nothing much to change, just a fantastic environment to get out and explore, without noise or fuss or big groups - so thanks for coming back again. we'll be here for your fourth visit ... (-:
Cheers, Baz
Written 23 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sharron
1 contribution
Feb 2021 • Friends
Locally owned and operated small business with strong conservation ethos. Hosts are friendly, knowledgable and safety conscious. We hired a double kayak for a half day exploring the lagoon. Rainforest meets the water creating stunning reflections. Plenty of birdlife. Loved the flowering rata (red and white). Paddling the lagoon is straightforward. The safety and navigation briefing is thorough and easy to follow. All gear supplied including dry bags and maps. Good coffee. On a clear day there are mountain views. Recommend paddling in the morning for best light and less breeze, double kayaks if a group as more efficient. Check out excellent local walks and photo gallery as well.
Written 5 February 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.
Thank you, very much, for such a detailed and positive review. Really appreciated, and always stoked that our kayakers get so much out of their experiences - different every time in nature of course, but that's part of the appeal. Glad you enjoyed other aspects of our area too, the walk up the Trig or to Three Mile are beautiful, out-of-the-way tracks, and we're lucky to have Andris Apse living here in Okarito to show off the images he's spent his life capturing. Helps that he has good material around here to work with too! Cheers again. Baz.
Written 8 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mathieu
17 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
We visited in april early in the morning for a self guided two hours kayak tour. We had no special expectations and it became a highlight of our roadtrip.
First, the team is super friendly and patient and they provide us a very detailled briefing with so many interesting explanations. The kayaks are totally suited to the activity and in perfect condition.
And then, the landscapes and scenery are just incredible, the wet areas with so many birds singing and flying all around and the mount Cook at the background. A real must to do and a good excuse to come visit the small village of Okarito. Thank you !!!
First, the team is super friendly and patient and they provide us a very detailled briefing with so many interesting explanations. The kayaks are totally suited to the activity and in perfect condition.
And then, the landscapes and scenery are just incredible, the wet areas with so many birds singing and flying all around and the mount Cook at the background. A real must to do and a good excuse to come visit the small village of Okarito. Thank you !!!
Written 15 April 2023
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.
Kia ora Matthieu, Gladys and family - ah, great, very glad you all enjoyed the experience. We're not the biggest, best known or busiest place in the South Island, but in the right conditions, we absolutely believe this is one of the most beautiful places in the world to kayak quietly across the open shallow wetland and up into the incredible rainforest that surrounds us.
But ... we haven't been to Tahiti so we'll have to try there one day too, right?!
Thanks very much for coming kayaking with us, and hope you and the family enjoy the rest of your road trip. Cheers, Baz.
Written 17 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
BalletBW
New York City51 contributions
Apr 2023
Okarito kayaks offers a beautiful kayaking experience on one of New Zealand's biggest lagoons, with amazing southern Alps views. Owner Baz was a perfect guide in every way, from safety protocols to navigating in shallow waters and showing us the bird and plant life all around us. Okarito Kayaks also sponsors annual "get rid of invasive plants" cleanups in the area, making a pristine part of New Zealand even more pristine.
Written 14 April 2023
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.
Kia ora Betsy - thanks so much for this; really enjoyed being able to kayak around the lagoon and surrounding rainforest with you. Feel lucky to be able to share this place with visitors from around the world.
Genuinely, the best part of our jobs! Thanks for giving me the excuse to be on the water with you! Cheers, Baz
Written 17 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rick V
8 contributions
Jan 2023 • Couples
Perfect place. Blue skies, mountain view that looks straight out of a Best Views Ever book, great service (with a smile) and an absolutely superb lagoon to kayak round. We took the half day deal, and went across open, tidal waters through to awesome NZ Podacarp forest - with a chorus of what sounded like cicadas. Excellent safety briefing, high quality kayaks and PPE, and a complementary coffee at the end. Perfect day.
And the birdwatching was excellent. White herons galore (it’s where they breed so only place you’ll see them in NZ summer)
And the birdwatching was excellent. White herons galore (it’s where they breed so only place you’ll see them in NZ summer)
Written 7 January 2023
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.
Great to hear this review, thanks very much for taking the time. Been a real busy few weeks with the usual mid-summer sunny weather we get this time of year, so nice for us to hear we're still being good humans to everyone!
Love the description of Best Views Ever. We might use that again??!?
Thanks heaps for the support in coming to see us, and really glad you liked our place in the world.
Cheers
Baz
Written 8 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Grace
Queenstown, New Zealand4 contributions
Oct 2021
This was a great activity to do that is off the beaten track and combines the ocean and mountain elements. Okarito Lagoon is quite isolated, and has a different climate from Franz Josef, so for us it was a good rainy day activity, especially because you have the flexibility to paddle the time & speed that is best suited to you. Baz & Gemma have an awesome set up, they are really helpful and informative, and the all the gear - kayaks, paddles, spray-skirts & lifejackets - were all good quality and in very good condition. Hopefully will come back on a clearer day to enjoy the beautiful Southern Alps views!
Written 12 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.
Hey Grace - awesome, thanks heaps for taking the time to write a detailed (and glowing!) review. Really appreciated. Glad you enjoyed our paddling the lagoon; worth it even in the wet, especially in those sheltered river channels. Enjoy the new life down south!! Cheers, Baz
Written 16 October 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AlanCahn
Portland, Oregon, United States20 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
Mary took us on a 2-hour kayak paddle around the lagoon. The weather was lovely even though it had been rainy inland at Franz Josef. Mary was knowledgeable, safe, and pleasant company. She made sure we didn’t miss any birds, which were all out in numbers, despite the cyclone only days before. And a coffee was waiting for us at the end!!! A completely magical memory.
Written 4 January 2024
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.
Kia ora Alan - hey, thanks very much for this review, from a good few years back. We haven't changed much at all with what we do here at Ōkārito - still the same peaceful, unspoilt quiet place that kayakers can explore, unrushed, without noise or crowds to experience nature close up without disturbance. Still standing despite the odd storm .... best wishes, Baz.
Written 13 January 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
local fan
Pegasus, New Zealand7 contributions
Jan 2021 • Couples
Kayaking Okarito lagoon is a great experience for all who enjoy bush, birds and tranquility. We got a cloudy day but on a good one you also get great views to the Alps.
Take the 4 hour/half day tour...it was worth it to get into the waterways/ channels where we had close encounters with white herons and spoonbills as well as other waders and bush birds.
Okarito kayaks explain the best route, give you a map and great advice and instruction. Their markers out on the lagoon made it easy to find the good spots. A very professional and friendly team. The gear was good and the free tea/coffee at the end a bonus.
Put it on your bucket list!
Take the 4 hour/half day tour...it was worth it to get into the waterways/ channels where we had close encounters with white herons and spoonbills as well as other waders and bush birds.
Okarito kayaks explain the best route, give you a map and great advice and instruction. Their markers out on the lagoon made it easy to find the good spots. A very professional and friendly team. The gear was good and the free tea/coffee at the end a bonus.
Put it on your bucket list!
Written 16 January 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.
Great, thanks heaps guys. Sorry the clouds didn't part; autumn's probably the best time of year for clear skies. Been pretty good this year so far though. Glad you enjoyed the place, and appreciate you taking the time to support us. Cheers, Baz
Written 17 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
mallalieu
Wanganui, New Zealand3 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
An absolute highlight of our trip to the west coast.
Initial communication with Baz ensured we picked the optimum day and time for a 4hr self guided (all information required provided) kayaking experience for 3 couples.
Absolutely amazing exercise, place, scenery, bird life and hospitality. Really couldn’t have been bettered. What a slice of paradise our excellent hosts live in. Words are insufficient to give this experience justice.
Great to hear you talk too on national radio the next week Baz on your project Gorse Busters. You’re an inspiration.
Initial communication with Baz ensured we picked the optimum day and time for a 4hr self guided (all information required provided) kayaking experience for 3 couples.
Absolutely amazing exercise, place, scenery, bird life and hospitality. Really couldn’t have been bettered. What a slice of paradise our excellent hosts live in. Words are insufficient to give this experience justice.
Great to hear you talk too on national radio the next week Baz on your project Gorse Busters. You’re an inspiration.
Written 5 June 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.
Kia ora team - thanks heaps for taking the time to write; really glad you enjoyed the experience together, stoked you all came down this way to see us and explore. We're very proud to be able to get Kiwi's out to see their backyard, we agree it's a pretty special place out here - not so well known, but that's part of what keeps it special.
And thanks for the encouragement for our GorseBusters effort. Big team that gets stuck into this work, all good get-on-with-it volunteers - very grateful for their help and the support from our visiting kayakers like you guys, to be able to do our best to look after Ōkārito Lagoon.
Cheers
Baz
Written 8 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Thanks to all above who responded. You're all on the money! There's the odd day where we might be fully booked in summer - we usually have kayaks available for freedom rental, but enquiring in advance for a specific day is best, as we can advise on tidal flows and height for you to get the most out of your paddle. For guided trips, it's definitely best to book in advance - we're a small personal company, we'd need to make sure we have one of us available to head out kayaking on the lagoon with you. Hope that helps.
Written 6 January 2017
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