A Perfect Kayaking Experience in the Bay of Islands

The Bay of Islands has a special place in my heart; it’s a sanctuary for people like me, who love the great outdoors. It has everything I need, from wildlife to gorgeous landscape and beaches and plenty of water-based activities.

For me, it’s not just the beautiful scenery that makes it unique from other tourist spots in the world. It’s the warmth and hospitality of the folk who live in and around here that give it a different flavour.

My latest trip

I recently took a long weekend off work and invited three of my best mates to stay.  They all have desk jobs in Auckland now and spend too much time at the mall and in bars! I like a bit of retail therapy every now and then. I also love a cold glass of Sav (or three!) but this weekend is about experiencing the beauty of the Bay of Islands, and getting back in touch with nature.  

Most of the time when I hike around here I go on the Cape Brett Track. It usually takes a whole day but you get to see some of the most beautiful landscape in the world. But this time, we pushed our limits and we got a little more adventurous.

On day one we did my usual hike and then enjoyed a bit too much Sav that evening!

The next day we were feeling a little worse for wear. I had a big day planned so we pushed our headaches aside.

The girls were keen for an adventure so I took them on one of the best activities there is in the Bay of Islands. New Zealand is truly blessed with stunning natural sites like surging rivers and breathtaking coasts. So, it’s no surprise that kayaking is one of the most popular activities around here.

Kayaking at with Coastal Kayakers

Before we set out in the kayaks we decided to fill our bellies.  Clara the foodie of our group had read up on few local restaurants. She led us to a place that I hadn’t actually been to before called Shippey’s. We sat onboard the 19th century lighter boat, which is permanently moored, on the bay near Waitangi Bridge. I tried a plate of good old fish and chips. 

During our great meal at Shippey’s, our Guide from Coastal Kayakers called me and updated me on our afternoon schedule. We readied ourselves and did a last minute gear check, since we needed to arrive at the kayak site at least 30 minutes before the scheduled tour. After some much needed rest and our last minute preparations we headed off to meet our Guide.

When we arrived at the starting area, we noticed another group of kayakers hanging around. After chatting to them we found out that they were part of our tour group. Mark our Guide then briefed us on both safety and paddling techniques, and other essentials for our tour.

We chose a half-day package for this particular trip as half our group was new to kayaking and we also wanted to explore a smaller area of the bay.

We departed from Waitangi Beach and paddled until we reached the Waitangi Estuary. We got to explore the Mangrove Forest. The Mangrove is a unique tree because it grows in salt water. We learned that the seeds germinate when they are still on the tree so when they fall, they are ready to dig down into the mud and then grow.

Kelly spotted a heron hunting for crabs along the water’s edge. We listened for the sound of shrimps as we were told that they made a sharp snapping sound.

The most exhilarating experience of the whole kayaking tour was when we tested our skills by paddling under Haruru falls (more information on the Haruru Falls here). Mark showed us the right paddling techniques and we had an awesome time.

After our exhausting kayaking session, we sat on the beach and enjoyed some well-deserved relaxation and refreshments.

So there you have it. My first attempt at kayaking is full of good memories. It as was amazing experience and the girls had a total blast. We are already talking about our next kayaking adventure and are thinking of doing an overnight trip. Such a wonderful day at the Bay of Islands.

Waitangi Beach to Waitangi Estuary in the Bay of Islands is the perfect place for kayaking and when you are up this way you should give it a go.

That's all for now. See you soon for more of my Bay of Islands shenanigans later.

Bev

For more great Bay of Islands Activities visit the Bay of Islands Information Centre