The 13 Best Kayak Trips in Auckland

1.Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 259 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $56Our pick

Join guides such as Paul, Maurice, Millie, Haley, or Conrad for a 90-minute to two-hour evening paddle from Okura Boat Ramp or Waiake Beach. You’ll learn how four marine microorganisms create Sea Sparkle, then watch glowing trails form around your kayak under a dark, starry sky.

“It was an incredible experience. The guide (Hailey) shared their passion for nature and gave us a truly unforgettable moment, explaining the phenomenon in a way that was both interesting and engaging. If you have a couple of hours to spare in the evening in Auckland, I highly recommend this activity: fantastic guides, an unforgettable experience, and a very magical place.”

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2.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 187 reviews · from $73

Learn sea kayaking with a qualified guide, then paddle through the Long Bay and Okura Marine Reserve after dark. The glow may be subtle, but splashing your paddle can reveal blue sparks beneath the stars. Guides including Josh, Elena, Gareth, and Madison lead small groups of up to six per guide.

“This was a fantastic experience. Eloise was great. Very friendly and informative. She clearly had a thorough knowledge of kayaking and safety. She gave us great tips to make the most of our tour. The water sparkled!!! It was so awesome. Thank you so much.”

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3.Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 168 reviews · from $152Top rated

Join Auckland Sea Kayaks for a six-and-a-half-hour evening adventure to Rangitoto. You’ll paddle about 5 kilometers each way, eat a Kiwi barbecue, hike to the summit, and return after dark with guides such as Daniel, Byron, or Eric.

“Tom was a great tour guide! There was a bit of a headwind on the way over but upon arrival we were prepared a tasty bbq dinner. The hike to the top was reasonably easy and the views were stunning at sunset. We got a bit of some history of the island and the surrounding areas. You are supplied with everything you need for the trip but I would potentially bring your own headlamp or torch, some water, and a warm fleece for arrival at the island. Overall this was an excellent trip for an extremely reasonable price!”

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4.Clearyak hire at Goat Island Marine Reserve

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · from $174

At Goat Island Marine Reserve near Leigh, you will paddle a transparent Clearyak over protected waters, watching snapper, stingrays, and underwater habitats below. Choose a 30 or 60-minute hire. Equipment and basic help are included, and no kayak experience is needed.

“The weather was perfect and we had an amazing time out on the water. If I had realised how much we would enjoy this I would have booked for longer! Can't wait to do it again!”

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5.Day sea kayak tour Rangitoto Island

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

Kayak from St. Heliers across Waitemata Harbour to Rangitoto Island, then hike for about an hour to the volcanic summit before a catered Kiwi barbecue. Small groups, experienced guides such as Daniel, Eric, and Chloe, and no kayaking experience required, but you need moderate fitness.

“Are you in Auckland? This is a MUST-DO experience! Informative and friendly guides took us to the island and back, and despite some interesting weather on the way back we had an incredible time!! Kayaking was moderate exercise and the hike was very scenic with incredible views. Zero regrets, 10/10, a perfect addition to our trip to New Zealand.”

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6.Sunset & Night Sea Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island

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

Paddle from St Heliers Beach to Rangitoto Island with an English-speaking guide, hike 2.5 km to the summit, eat a Kiwi BBQ, and kayak back after dark. First-timers are welcome, but you need good fitness and spare dry clothes. Guides such as Daniel, Kobey, Dan, and Eric have led recent trips.

“Dan top notch guide, entertaining, reliable, knowledgeable, confident and great cook!”

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7.Motukorea / Browns Island Sea Kayak Journey

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

Paddle from central Auckland to Motukorea, also called Browns Island, in a small group of up to eight. Auckland Sea Kayaks supplies the gear, safety briefing, guides, snacks, and hot drinks. No kayaking experience is needed, but you should be reasonably fit for a short, steep summit walk.

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

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

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

Kayak from St Heliers Bay across Waitematā Harbour with an English-speaking guide, hike about an hour to Rangitoto’s summit, then enjoy a barbecue lunch and drinks. The group is limited to nine, and guides such as Tony, Ben, Daniel, and Eric have led past trips.

“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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9.Auckland Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 31 reviews · from $68

Join Social Nature Movement for a two-hour Auckland night paddle in search of sea sparkle. Your kayak, paddle, and life jacket are included. Guides such as Chris explain the glowing plankton, help you feel secure on the water, and may add stargazing, hot chocolate, or transport support.

“Friendly and knowledgeable guides makes everything more enjoyable 😀 An amazing experience to see bioluminescent in action!”

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10.Browns Island (Motukorea) Sea Kayak Tour

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

Paddle from St Heliers Beach to uninhabited Motukorea with an English-speaking guide. You get a 30-minute safety briefing, 45 to 60 minutes each way on the water, a short island walk, and views across Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf. Guides include Ryan, Legend, Ben, and Hailey.

“I had a great day out paddling to and exploring browns island. Our guide Legend was a Legend, very knowledgeable, answering any questions we had. Would 100% recommend this tour.”

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11.Auckland City Lights Night Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $83

Set out from St Mary’s Bay for a 2.5-hour evening paddle with Auckland Sea Kayaks. Your guide leads a group of up to eight past Westhaven Marina, Wynyard Quarter, the Harbour Bridge, and the glowing Sky Tower. Kayak gear, safety equipment, snacks, and warm drinks are included.

“I had an amazing time on this night kayaking tour! Seeing Auckland lit up at night from the water was absolutely beautiful and such a unique perspective of the city. The guides were fantastic—fun, knowledgeable, and made the whole experieRead more”

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12.City Lights Night Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 2 hours · from $80

Start at Z Pier and paddle from St Mary’s Bay toward Auckland’s lit skyline, Harbour Bridge, and selected waterfront areas. Guides such as Dalton and Ben provide calm instruction and local stories. No kayaking experience is needed, and the two-hour tour includes equipment, a sweet treat, and a small group of up to nine.

“Wij gingen het water op met Dalton. Een hele vriendelijke en relaxte gozer. Zorgt ervoor dat je met een gerust gevoel het water op gaat. Had ook leuke informatie over de haven. En lekker thee gedronken vanuit de kajak met een brownie erbij.”

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13.Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour to Motukorea Island

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

Paddle from St Heliers Beach to Motukorea Island with a friendly English-speaking guide, then walk to the volcanic summit for wide Hauraki Gulf and Auckland views. The small group has up to eight people, with instruction, equipment, snacks, and optional museum pickup included.

“This whole experience was awesome! We actually ended up going on the Rangitoto kayaking trip because the Motukorea one fell through on the day we had planned, so they put us on the more expensive tour with no additional costs! They were so accommodating. We had Bennet as a tour guide and he was so awesome, he deserves a bonus!! He was so easy to talk to, knowledgeable, and such a joy to spend the day with. Even though our tour was on a gloomy day, he adjusted our plans to make the day just as exciting and fulfilling as we had hoped for! He was such a fantastic guide.…”

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