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
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Travellers' Choice
2023
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(18 reviews)
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5.0
207 reviews
Excellent
189
Very good
13
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Explorer41063878793
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Solo
I had the best time. I think what made it was the service and how it felt so welcoming and comforting there especially when travelling alone. I was looked after with a coffee afterwards and it felt like home. The actual kayak trip was beautiful. A great adventure and quite a bit to explore. Kayaks were really good quality and it was easy to do solo because of the markings. Thanks so much team!
Written 23 October 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 H - thanks heaps for this, really nice to hear you felt welcomed and looked after. We're deliberately a pretty small operation which keeps us personal, and we're very proud to represent our small town with a cosy, hospitable base to welcome travellers. Stoked you enjoyed the place, and the kayaking here. Hope the rest of your travels on the way home went great. Cheers, Baz
Written 24 October 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kiwimonks
Ballater, UK9 contributions
Apr 2023
My teenage son and I did a self-guided overnight kayak and overnight camp with Okarito Kayaks.
Awesome family business. Baz is a great guy and Gemma made a mean cuppa on our return. Gear is well maintained and their knowledge of the environment made for an engaging trip.
We camped in sand-dunes overlooking the Tasman sea and cooked on an open drift-wood fire on the beach.
Even managed to see rare white herons and a wide range of bird life on the lagoon.
Peaceful holiday
Highly recommended!
Awesome family business. Baz is a great guy and Gemma made a mean cuppa on our return. Gear is well maintained and their knowledge of the environment made for an engaging trip.
We camped in sand-dunes overlooking the Tasman sea and cooked on an open drift-wood fire on the beach.
Even managed to see rare white herons and a wide range of bird life on the lagoon.
Peaceful holiday
Highly recommended!
Written 15 May 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 Dave, & Dylan
Thanks heaps for this, really appreciate the time taken to write and review the experience.
Kayaking and camping overnight on the lagoon is a pretty special genuine wilderness experience; it's not suited to everyone, but on the right night, for the right people, it's hard to beat. Stoked you both enjoyed it the simple pleasures of the place!
Thanks again for travelling over to us, and spending your family time together at our place. Great to see you both.
Cheers
Baz
Written 19 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
projectk2016
Christchurch, New Zealand14 contributions
Mar 2023
Awesome experience from start to finish. In my opinion it is one of the must-do experiences on the West Coast. Stunning scenery, friendly people and a lovely surprise to have coffee waiting for us at the end.
Written 23 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.
Thanks very much - stoked to hear you enjoyed our place so much. We remain one of the quieter, more peaceful towns to visit on the West Coast, still pretty unspoilt and uncommercial, and paddling the lagoon away from noise or crowds is a great way to step away into nature. Really appreciate the support to help us be able to offer this.
Written 28 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
South Island AW
5 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
We had an excellent trip with Meghan on a beautiful Autumn day. Meghans knowledge and passion for New Zealand conservation made me glad we took a guided trip. I loved seeing the different birds and forest from the viewpoint of the lagoon. The complimentary hot drink and sandfly repellant were much appreciated. Would love to come back in Winter to see what the mountains look like with more snow. Thanks!
Written 20 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 - thanks very much for taking the time to write; Mega will be really stoked to read this. We're very proud of our small team of genuinely passionate nature guides - our guided kayak trips aren't scripted experiences, every day is different out on the water here which is one of the reasons we're here and why we think this place is special. And yes - the snow looks great across the mountains here in winter. See you then again hopefully? Cheers, Baz
Written 28 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Mathieu
10 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 City43 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.
PaulineBZH
Petone, New Zealand46 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
A not to be missed experience. Once on the water you can easily access remote parts of the West Coast bush for a loud bird concert. The lagoon is also full of birds to observe.
Excellent and friendly service from Okarito kayaks.
Only disappointment is that I didn't stop there before.
Excellent and friendly service from Okarito kayaks.
Only disappointment is that I didn't stop there before.
Written 8 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 Pauline - hey, thanks very much for this, really glad your experience here lines up exactly with what we try to provide.
We're very fortunate to kayak in one of the most incredible areas for biodiversity in NZ, with complete natural quiet away from boat & vehicle motors in the shallow river channels away from the rest of the world.
The Predator-Free and conservation work being done around Ōkārito Lagoon helps keep this area really special.
Great having visiting kayakers who appreciate it - so thanks for coming by, and the kind review. Best wishes - Baz
Written 11 April 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FarAway627703
3 contributions
Mar 2023
A relaxed and professional paddle with very knowledgeable guide in an amazing part of NZ. The scenery was exceptional.
Written 16 March 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.
Thanks very much, for the supportive review and coming out paddling with us. We're very proud of the knowledgable and genuinely passionate nature guides that work with us; there's only a few of us but that aloows us to focus on quality, not quantity. Glad you appreciated the place. Cheers, Baz
Written 24 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Tracy K
1 contribution
Mar 2023
I can absolutely recommend doing a guided tour. We missed out when we stayed in Okarito last year as the team were on a well-deserved break. It was well worth making the trip back to this lovely West Coast village. Megan was great and gave a very informative tour. We saw a kotuku and enjoyed the serene environment. I haven't been in a kayak since I was a teenager and felt very comfortable with how stable it was. The tour is suitable for all ages and abilities.
Written 10 March 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.
Thanks very much Tracy, we're glad we could get you back to the West Coast a second time and could show your our place. Megan, and all of us, are really proud and passionate about the incredible natural environment here; best part of our work is to be able to share it with others on the water, peacefully, with no noise, no crowds, just nature. Thanks for paddling with us. Baz.
Written 11 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
wyatthawaii
Honolulu, HI96 contributions
Feb 2023
Our morning kayak in Okarito was one of the highlights of our South Island trip. Barry (Baz) has a terrific operation going and we loved his guide Megan who led the way. Gorgeous on the water, lots of birds and so much information! Thanks also to Gemma for the pot of tea afterwards.
Written 8 March 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 - thanks very much for the kind words - means a lot to us as a small, family-run business that you appreciated the personal nature of our place, and enjoyed the experience. We deliberately don't push reviews at people or try to commoditise our kayakers, so when you all take the time to review us, we know it's genuine and is really appreciated. And we're very proud of Megan and her passion for this special place. So, thanks again, and hope the rest of the big trip around the South Island went great. Cheers, Baz
Written 11 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ameliap96
San Francisco, CA
Do I need to book in advance?
OkaritoKayaks
Nelson, New Zealand12 contributions
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.