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Experience the raw beauty of Kaikōura from the seat of a kayak. Guided by local experts who know these coastal currents best, you’ll discover why this rugged stretch of the South Island’s east coast is world-renowned for its spectacular marine biodiversity.

As an award-winning local operator, Kaikōura Kayaks specializes in sustainable sea kayaking adventures. We bring you face-to-face with thriving wildlife and breathtaking scenery in a way that is safe, authentic, and eco-friendly.
Kayaking offers a non-intrusive way to observe New Zealand’s iconic marine life. Paddle alongside playful New Zealand fur seals as they dive and sunbathe on the rocks, and keep a sharp eye out for the tiny Blue Penguins and various rare seabirds that call this coastline home. Being at sea level allows for a quiet, respectful connection with nature that larger vessels simply cannot match.

There are few places on earth where snow-capped mountains rise so dramatically from the ocean. From your kayak, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Kaikōura Peninsula’s sheer cliffs and the towering Seaward Kaikōura Range. It is a photographer's dream and a peaceful escape for the soul.
Whether you are a seasoned paddler or a first-time explorer, we have an experience tailored to your comfort level and sense of adventure.
Our most popular option, the Guided Wildlife Tour, is perfect for families and nature lovers. Led by professional guides, these tours focus on safety and storytelling, ensuring you learn about the local ecosystem while enjoying a relaxed pace on the water.

For those who prefer to explore at their own pace, we offer self-guided kayak and paddleboard (SUP) hire. Additionally, for adventurers looking to advance their technique, our Kayak School provides expert-led sessions to help you upskill in one of the world’s most beautiful aquatic classrooms.
Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses is a contemporary country hotel located on a deer breeding farm in the South Island of New Zealand. It sits snugly at the base of the Kaikoura Seaward Mountain Range, with the Kaikoura coast and famed Mangamaunu Bay only a kilometre to the east.
The Lodge’s five Tree Houses are unique, nested 10 meters or more above the ground in the canopy of a native Kanuka grove. The Tree Houses are designed to complement the natural environment, as your bedroom in the sky. Their large windows bring the tree canopies into the bedroom and provide impressive views of Kaikoura’s dramatic mountains and the Pacific Ocean.
All of the Lodge rooms are suites which offer large soaking tubs, king beds and balconies that look over the farm’s deer grazing in paddocks adjacent to the Kaikoura mountains. The light filled Hapuku Room is beautifully furnished with fireplace, writing desk and private entrance.
The Olive House is a free standing building that used to house the farm’s olive press. They relocated the press and have turned the building into a beautifully presented three-bedroom suite of rooms.
Every experience we create is tailored to you. Tell us what inspires you, and we’ll design a New Zealand trip you’ll never forget.









