7 Oarsome Adventures

01 INTRODUCING ‘PACKRAFTING’, Southland

It’s the hobby you didn’t know your life was missing: packrafting. A kayaking-meetshiking hybrid that allows you to fold your full-sized inflatable kayak into a handy, carry-sized backpack. Which basically means limitless freedom. Check out packraftingnz.com for products, packraft hire and year-round, multi-day excursions to Lake Manapouri, The Wairaurahiri River and more.

02 ROWING HOLIDAYS, Marlborough Sounds

Experience a multi-day kayaking tour through the sunken river grooves of Marlborough Sounds. Every evening your hard work is rewarded with soft sheets and a deep sleep. Nights are spent at a beautiful luxury lodge, with hammocks, spa-pool, home-cooked dinners and sea views. All thanks to New Zealand Rowing Tours who lead guided expeditions to the Sound’s two main bodies of water – Kenepuru and Pelorus sounds, departing Havelock and returning three utterly peaceful days later. For those who wonder why they weren’t born with fins, these seven aquatic adventures by kayak, canoe and spandangled watercraft are a water-lover’s dream.

03 WAKA SAILINGS, Abel Tasman

Experience an authentic waka crusade in Nelson with Waka Abel Tasman. Following te reo Māori introductions, a hongi, waiata singing and some vital rowing instructions, push off from Kaiteriteri Beach. The waka, albeit modern and made from fibreglass, follows the same main principle from our past: teamwork. Soar across the bay, absorbing the scenery while learning about local heritage and Māori traditions.

Paddling in a waka, Split Apple Rock, Kaiteriteri © Waka Abel Tasman

4 CRAZY NEW CRAZE… RIVER BUGGING! Bay of Plenty

Best described as an inflatable armchair for one person, river bugging allows adventurous types to tear down river rapids in a small inflatable craft – solo. There are no oars involved but webbed gloves help negotiate the bends. If you’re after raw, natural excitement, there’s nothing better than careering down-river like an ecstatic wild salmon. Suitable for beginners upwards, with various levels to choose from, get in touch with riverbug.nz for tour options.

River bugging, Bay of Plenty © Riverbug

05 TRANSPARENT KAYAKS, Leigh

New Zealand’s first marine reserve lies 90 minutes north of Auckland, nudging a wisp of rock and sand. Under the water, seaweed forests play neighbour to sponge gardens, submerged bedrock and schools of fish. Officially titled The Cape Rodney- Okakari Marine Reserve, it’s locally known as Goat Island. Rent a Clearyak and watch peaceful fish (and if you’re lucky, stingrays too) as they glide beneath your transparent kayak. It’s the fun, drier way to admire the beauty beneath.

6. ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS, Kaikōura

The phenomena come thick and fast in Kaikōura. With such a high density of marine animals, kayaking provides superbly close encounters. Rock-basking seals lollop inches from your paddle and dolphins, well-known for their gregarious personalities, practice their flips all day long. You should also kayak to Hope Springs in Whalers Bay. Here, a nature-made spa pool bubbles unexpectedly in the water, an outcome of the 2016 earthquake which caused air pockets in the seabed to escape.

7 LIMESTONE KARSTS AND A COFFEE FIX, Raglan

Pancake Rocks, Raglan © Getty Images

Glide into a secret paradise that Raglan locals have long kept to themselves. Limestone Coast is blessed with private bays and explorable pancake rocks. Hire a kayak and edge your way through passageways barely wider than your whiskers and dip your toes into milky blue water. Go it alone or book a three-hour excursion with Raglan Kayak and Paddleboard; they’ll even throw in a hot coffee midway.

Kayaking in Doubtful Sound © Rob Suisted

But wait there’s more

Tauranga: Head to Lake McLaren and navigate narrow streams by kayak to a glowworm grotto.

The Coromandel: Only kayaks (or paddleboards) can squeeze through the tiny entrance to Whenuakura Island/Donut Island. Once inside you’ll find a secret lagoon.

Akaroa: Stand-up paddleboard at night on paddleboards affixed with LED lights, allowing for an illuminated display of the water.

Rotorua: Hold onto your stomach as you plunge down Tutea Falls. As the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, the seven-metre drop is a white-water rafting must-do.

Doubtful Sound: Embark on a two-day camping and kayaking adventure and live in nature for an entire 48 hours.