Full-Day Sea Cave Kayak, Lunch

Bay of Islands: Full Day Sea Cave & Coastal Kayak Adventure

1 review

from $166 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Duration: 10 hours
Meeting point: Paihia Wharf, ferry to Otehei Bay
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Meal: Meal included
Run by: Bay of Islands Kayaking

Overview

The day starts with a 40-minute ferry crossing from Paihia or Russell to Otehei Bay, the jumping-off point for a long paddle around Urupukapuka Island and its neighbours. From there the guide leads the group along cliff lines and sculpted rock formations, weaving into coves and through a series of sea caves that can only be reached by kayak. The middle of the day is spent on a secluded white sand beach, where a picnic lunch is laid on and the afternoon opens up for snorkelling, swimming or simply lying on the sand.

Before the return ferry there is a stop at a local secret, a hidden hole in the rock, and a chance to meet the resident snapper at Otehei Bay. There is also free time to explore Urupukapuka Island. Kayaking runs from 9.30am to 3pm, with five to five and a half hours of actual paddling including the lunch break, so this is a full, physical day rather than a gentle float.

Australasian gannets diving into blue water with wings folded, white splashes and green bay islands far behind

The operator, Bay of Islands Kayaking, pitches this trip squarely at capable paddlers with a good fitness level who want to use their skills on genuinely unspoiled coastline. It runs in a small group with an expert guide and no crowds. One recent reviewer called it a must, praising the variety of sea caves and the snorkelling while the fish were being fed.

Sea kayaks in a sheltered cove in the Bay of Islands.

What's Included

Included

Full-day Kayak Tour
Return Ferry from Paihia or Russell
5 - 5½ hours Guided Kayaking incl. lunch break
Sea Kayak & Spray Deck
Paddle, Life Vest & Dry bag
Snorkelling equipment, Snorkel, Fins, Mask
Picnic lunch incl. Water, Coffee/Tea and Juice
Time for snorkelling / Swimming
Storage for Personal Belongings
Hot showers available
Free time to explore Urupukapuka Island

Not Included

Tips for the guide (optional)

Inside a cruise boat cabin, rows of empty bench seats and large windows showing green bay islands on a clear day

Itinerary

Meet at Paihia WharfMeet at Paihia Wharf, Bay of Islands. The ferry departs Paihia at 8.30am or Russell at 8.40am, and the return ferry crossing is included.
Ferry to Otehei BayA scenic 40-minute ferry crossing takes the group to Otehei Bay, the gateway for the paddle.
Guided kayak around the islandsPaddle from 9.30am to 3pm around Urupukapuka Island and neighbouring coastline, through clear water, along cliff lines and into hidden coves and sea caves accessible only by kayak.
Beach lunch and free timeStop at a secluded white sand beach for a picnic lunch with water, coffee, tea and juice. The afternoon allows time for snorkelling, swimming or relaxing on the sand, plus free time to explore Urupukapuka Island.
Hidden hole in the rockOn the return leg the group seeks out a hidden hole in the rock, a local secret known to few.
Resident snapper at Otehei BayPause at Otehei Bay to meet the resident snapper before wrapping up. Hot showers are available.
Return ferryThe return ferry departs Otehei Bay at 4.15pm or 5.45pm back to Paihia or Russell.

What To Expect From The Tour

This is a long, physical day on the water with five to five and a half hours of paddling, so what you wear, pack and expect from the pace matters.

Sunset with orange and pink cloud over the Bay of Islands, islands in silhouette and one silhouetted sailing yacht

Fitness and pace. The tour is designed for capable paddlers and requires a good fitness level. Kayaking runs from 9.30am to 3pm. If you are new to kayaking or not confident of a full day of exercise, this is probably not the right trip.
What to bring. The operator recommends warm clothing, a windbreaker, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, water, sportswear and a charged smartphone. Storage for personal belongings is provided, and a dry bag is supplied with the kayak kit.
You will get wet. The tour involves water activities, so you should be prepared to get wet. Snorkel, fins and mask are all included, so there is no need to bring your own gear for the swim stops.

Rolling green farmland beside a quiet road on a clear morning with a few trees and a fence

Food and drink. A picnic lunch is included, with water, coffee or tea and juice. One reviewer said the packed lunch was good. Tips for the guide are optional and not included, so budget for them separately if you wish to tip.
Getting there. There is no hotel pickup for this product. You make your own way to Paihia Wharf for the 8.30am ferry, or the Russell departure at 8.40am, and the return ferry from Otehei Bay is included.
Weather and route changes. The tour depends on favourable weather, and parts of the route may change without notice. If weather cancels the day, travellers receive a full refund.

Ready To BookCheck availability →

Common issues. The tour needs minimum numbers to run, and if those are not met, or weather forces a cancellation, travellers get a full refund but lose the day. The paddling commitment is real: five to five and a half hours on the water from 9.30am to 3pm, aimed at capable paddlers, so less fit travellers may struggle. Drones, fishing, alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and intoxication and littering are prohibited. The only exclusion beyond tips is that pickup is not provided, so you must reach Paihia Wharf or Russell yourself for an early ferry.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The tour includes the full-day guided kayak trip, return ferry from Paihia or Russell, sea kayak and spray deck, paddle, life vest and dry bag, snorkelling gear, and a picnic lunch with water, coffee or tea and juice. Hot showers, storage for belongings and free time on Urupukapuka Island are also covered. Tips for the guide are optional and not included.

Is Lunch Included Or Do I Need To Buy Food?

A picnic lunch is included, along with water, coffee or tea and juice. One reviewer described the packed lunch as good. You may still want to bring your own water bottle as the operator recommends bringing water.

Where Does The Tour Start And Is There Pickup?

There is no pickup for this product. The meeting point is Paihia Wharf, Bay of Islands, for the 8.30am ferry, or you can join the Russell departure at 8.40am. The return ferry from Otehei Bay at 4.15pm or 5.45pm is included.

Is This Tour Suitable For Beginners Or Children?

The tour is designed for capable paddlers and requires a good fitness level, with five to five and a half hours of kayaking from 9.30am to 3pm. A minimum age and any provision for limited mobility are not stated. Anyone unsure should check with the operator on the booking page before reserving.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If the tour is cancelled because minimum numbers are not met, or because of weather, travellers receive a full refund.

What Should I Wear And Bring?

Bring warm clothing, a windbreaker, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, water, sportswear and a charged smartphone. Expect to get wet. Drones, fishing, alcohol and drugs are not allowed.