Top 11 Island Kayak Tours in New Zealand

1.Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $152Our pick

You’ll paddle about 5 km across the Waitematā Harbour, eat a Kiwi BBQ on Rangitoto, hike toward the summit, and return by kayak after dark. Guides such as Daniel, Byron, Elle, and Nathan lead small groups of up to eight, with equipment supplied and vegetarian meals available by request.

“An absolutely fantastic experience for those with a decent fitness level. Fun paddling, gorgeous scenery, and an amazing guide in Ben.”

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2.Whangamata: Donut Island Guided Kayaking Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 143 reviews · 2 hours · from $62Best value

Paddle 600 metres from Whangamata Beach to Donut Island, also known as Whenuakura, with a small English-speaking group of up to eight. Guides such as Dylan, Hannah, Mauro, and Dakota lead the way, explain the island’s wildlife and volcanic rocks, and may offer kawakawa tea on a nearby beach.

“It was stunning! The islands, the kayaking, the history of the area… and the “hidden” jungle… absolutley loved it!!! Highly recommended!”

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3.Day Cruise & Island Tour – Snorkel/Wildlife/Paddleboard/Islands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · from $89

Spend 3.5 hours cruising the Bay of Islands from Paihia, with two island stops chosen for the day’s wind. Hike to viewpoints, swim, snorkel, or paddleboard with gear supplied. Guides such as Zac, Nicola, Cass, and Josh add local stories and help keep the outing personal.

“Great tour. Fun boat ride and awesome stops to climb up to viewpoint on Robertson island. Water sports were really fun - saw lots of fish and sting ray. Brought an infant - worked well with chest carrier (not for prams).”

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4.Day sea kayak tour Rangitoto Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 79 reviews · from $152

Spend about six and a half hours sea kayaking from St. Heliers to Rangitoto, hiking to its summit, and sharing a Kiwi BBQ by the water. Guides such as Daniel, Eric, Chloe, and Bennett provide patient instruction for beginners. Small groups are limited to eight people.

“Our guide, Chloe, was AMAZING! She is super friendly, helpful and knowledgeable giving us detailed information and instruction. It was a perfect day for kayaking and hiking. She even grilled us steaks for lunch! This excursion was well thought out due to the amount of activity required. The schedule of kayaking, hiking, lunch, kayaking allowed enough rest between upper body and lower body activities! It’s truly a day of physical activity combined with beautiful views. Our group was small and perfect allowing everyone to get to know each other too!”

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5.Sunset & Night Sea Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $138

Paddle from St Heliers Beach to Rangitoto Island with a small group and English-speaking guide. Hike 2.5 km to the summit for sunset, enjoy a Kiwi BBQ with hot and cold drinks, then kayak back through the dark. Guides such as Daniel, Dan, Eric, and Kobey have led recent trips.

“I participated on 7/12/2024 I was very excited about this first experience I will never forget the Southern Cross More than anything, I was happy to be surrounded by nature and I envied the people who live there I will definitely come back”

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6.Motukorea / Browns Island Sea Kayak Journey

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · from $121

Set out from Parnell at 8:30 am for a relaxed four-hour sea-kayak trip to Motukorea, also called Browns Island. Your guide supplies safety instruction, kayaks, refreshments, and a short summit hike. No kayaking experience is needed, though moderate fitness helps.

“Everything was perfect. My sister and I had an amazing experience from the kayaking, snack, and hike around browns island.”

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7.Rangitoto Island: Sea Kayak & Summit Hike Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 31 reviews · from $144

Paddle from St Heliers Beach across Waitemata Harbor with an English-speaking guide, then hike Rangitoto’s summit for 360-degree Auckland views. Guides such as Tony, Ben, Daniel, and Eric lead the trip, with kayaking gear, refreshments, drinks, and a barbecue lunch included.

“Excellent trip, Ben our guide was great. We laughed and had a fun day., We were lucky with calm water for the kayak trip and nice walk up to the crater. There are other trails on the island so it would be nice perhaps with more time on the island to walk longer.”

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8.Browns Island (Motukorea) Sea Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 4 hours · from $89

Join a four-hour guided sea-kayak trip from St Heliers Beach to Browns Island, also called Motukorea. You will learn basic paddling, cross calm gulf waters, walk around a dormant volcanic cone, and return by kayak. Guides such as Ryan and Legend are praised for clear instruction and steady support.

“I had a wonderful day on the water, the whole tour from the guides to the views was spectacular, 100% reccomend.”

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9.Leigh: Goat Island Clear Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 16 reviews · 1 hour

Meet Clearyak NZ on Goat Island beach for a safety briefing and 60-minute double-kayak paddle. Your clear boat lets you look for snapper, red moki, blue maomao, eagle rays, and stingrays beneath you. Small groups are limited to five people, with English instruction.

“nice activity. we saw a lot of snapper. but way too expensive for the actual activity. the clear kayak does not help for visibility you cant see much looking through the kayak. better to just look around the kayak”

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10.Browns Island Motukorea Sea Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $93

Paddle with a small group from St Heliers Bay to volcanic Browns Island, led by guides such as Chris. Expect Hauraki Gulf views, island history, native birds, volcanic features, and a two-hour stop ashore. Sea kayaking experience may help, as the crossing can be demanding for complete beginners.

“We did not make it to the Browns Island as plan. We were novice and inexperience with the kayak that were used. The tour is probably more suitable for people with some kayaking experience in the sea but the tour guide Chris was friendly and helpful.”

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11.Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour to Motukorea Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4h 30m · from $116

Kayak from St Heliers Beach to Motukorea Island with an English-speaking guide, then walk to the summit of Auckland’s best-preserved volcano. Daniel, Marco, and Bennet have earned special praise for clear instruction and local stories. No previous kayaking experience is needed.

“Marco, our guide, was super friendly, knowledgeable, and well organized. He smoothly handled a participant showimg up late, who missed her kayak group, and ask our group if we minded taking a few extra minutes to get the newcomer set to kayak with us. Awesome service!! Definitely recommend!!”

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