| As a tourist or visitor you are almost certainly going | | | | glowworm caves or historic sites all add to a more |
| to be reliant on using a hired kayak. There are | | | | rewarding experience. |
| several popular destinations where you can hire for | | | | * A guided kayak tour takes away the hassles and |
| anything from a few hours to a few days. | | | | concerns you may have, ensures you do not get |
| You can choose from | | | | "lost", and makes for a more relaxed enjoyable |
| * Hiring independently for a quiet paddle in the area | | | | experience for kayaking in New Zealand |
| adjoined to the hire center | | | | * Safety - a kayaking tour in a group means there is |
| * Hiring and transporting the kayak to your kayaking | | | | always help at hand |
| destination. | | | | Popular Tourist Destinations with Kayak Hire |
| * Opting for guided kayak tours where they may | | | | You will come across kayak hire companies in many |
| transport kayaks for a group, to your kayaking | | | | locations as you travel around New Zealand Listed |
| destination | | | | are destinations where kayak hire is readily available. |
| I would suggest that unless you are doing a short | | | | Some camping grounds will have a few sit on kayaks |
| kayak within the location of the hire centre you will | | | | for hire, to just enjoy the local area. For longer |
| find it best to do guided kayak tours. Not only does | | | | kayaks you really need a sea kayak, or larger river |
| this ensure safety when kayaking in New Zealand | | | | kayak complete with rudder, skirt and space for |
| with someone who knows and understands local | | | | storage of meals, dry clothing, cameras and other |
| conditions, but it means you have everything you | | | | items. |
| need provided as part of the package. Along with | | | | * Bay of Islands - Paihia |
| the kayak you will always require | | | | * Auckland waterfront |
| * life jackets | | | | * Rotorua - Hire from kayak shops or small kayaks |
| * safety equipment e.g pumps | | | | available in camping grounds |
| * Meals | | | | * Taupo - several options |
| * Camping equipment if an overnight kayaking tour | | | | * Whanganui River ( 5 days) -a guided kayak tour |
| * Waterproof Dry bags for cameras, jewelery, spare | | | | * Nelson/Marlborough - Abel Tasman National Park |
| clothing, food etc | | | | has kayak hire and guided or independent kayak |
| Why Choose a Guided Kayaking Tour ? | | | | tours, with several company choices |
| New Zealand does have wonderful kayaking...but | | | | * Kaikoura - for seeing seals and marine life |
| knowing about | | | | * Guided Glacier kayaks at Mt Cook and the West |
| * the tides | | | | Coast Glaciers |
| * the very unpredictable New Zealand weather | | | | Plan some time to enjoy a kayak on your New |
| conditions | | | | Zealand holiday. It is a wonderful way of experiencing |
| * local knowledge of problem areas such as | | | | pristine areas only accessible by water and our |
| submerged rocks or logs, power stations on rivers, | | | | diverse marine life. By choosing the right kayak |
| water currents, etc are invaluable | | | | experience for your abilities, time frame and what |
| * Knowing where to find special scenic areas where | | | | you most want to see... you will go home with |
| birds may be nesting, native bush, lovely beaches, | | | | another New Zealand adventure to remember. |