Category Sea Kayaking & Bioluminescence

Auckland · SEA KAYAKING & BIOLUMINESCENCE

The 15 Best Sea Kayaking & Bioluminescence Tours in Auckland

15 reviewed

Paddle the gulf on a dark night and the water lights up blue with every stroke. These are the best sea kayaking trips around Auckland, from a sunset run out to Rangitoto to the glow-in-the-dark bioluminescence paddles: how far you go, how hard it is, whether you need experience, and the price.

Auckland: Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters

Auckland: Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters - Launch options: Okura Boat Ramp vs Waiake Beach

1.Night Kayak Tour in Glowing Bioluminescent Waters

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

Kayak Auckland at night and watch bioluminescent plankton sparkle under stars during a guided Sea Sparkle tour. Includes gear.

“Amazing activity. There was a lot of bioluminescence. The guides were very knowledgeable, especially one guy with a scientific background who was really informative and friendly in explaining everything about bioluminescence. You can really tell it’s something he’s passionate about, and when someone is passionate, they make the whole experience even better. The only thing is, I would have preferred a single kayak.”

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Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

Bioluminescence Kayak Tour - Est. 1994 - Bioluminescence Reality Check (and How to Get More From It)

2.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour – Est. 1994

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

Paddle Auckland’s Long Bay–Okura Marine Reserve at night to spot bioluminescent plankton and stargazing glow, even if you’re a total beginner.

“This experience lived up to the hype. What an amazing activity for both locals and tourists to participate in. The equipment was great, the instructors professional, and the bioluminescence was magic.”

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Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island - Getting to Auckland Sea Kayaks and starting at 4:00 pm

3.Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island

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

Paddle to Rangitoto at sunset, hike for Auckland city views, then eat a kiwi BBQ and return under city lights at night.

“This is a physical activity. Roughly an hour of kayak to and from the island and the hike is moderate (30-40 minutes) to steep (15 minutes). This was fun and different to do and we had a very good guide who prepared us a great late lunch on Rangitoto before hiking. Really interesting and beautiful experience. Thank you, Nathan!”

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Clearyak hire at Goat Island Marine Reserve

Clearyak hire at Goat Island Marine Reserve - Where to meet at Leigh and how to handle the hill walk

4.Clearyak hire at Goat Island Marine Reserve

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

Kayak the Goat Island Marine Reserve from a clear-floor clearyak at Leigh. Equipment and instruction included; pick 30 or 60 minutes.

“The pictures don’t do this experience justice! It’s an incredibly beautiful spot and we had so much fun exploring in the kayaks, looking at the fish, etc. Would highly recommend!”

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Day sea kayak tour Rangitoto Island

Day sea kayak tour Rangitoto Island - Waitematā Harbour paddling: what the workout feels like

5.Day sea kayak tour Rangitoto Island

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

Sea kayak to Rangitoto for 360° views, a kiwi BBQ by the water, and wildlife spotting from Auckland Harbour.

“Guide not helpful. Requires a lot more work on customers. Long trip to and back. Guide needs to do a better job of figuring out who is paired with who in kayaks.”

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Auckland: Sunset & Night Sea Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island

Auckland: Sunset & Night Sea Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island - The Paddle Out: Learning Your Kayak Before Sunset

6.Sunset & Night Sea Kayak Tour to Rangitoto Island

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

Paddle Auckland’s coast to Rangitoto for sunset, hike to the summit, enjoy a Kiwi BBQ, then kayak back at night under city lights.

“Huge shoutout to our awesome guide Daniel!! He was clearly built for adventure and made the entire experience a fun and exciting one from the start. We met up at the beach, and he explained everything we needed to know to prepare for our journey. We kayaked to the island, enjoyed a delicious meal, hiked to the top for an insane panoramic sunset view, and kayaked back under the stars which was absolutely magical. Daniel taught our group so much about the Auckland, the surrounding islands, the flora and fauna, and much more. He made sure everyone was safe and felt comfortable. We were in amazing hands with Daniel.Read more”

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Motukorea / Browns Island Sea Kayak Journey

Motukorea / Browns Island Sea Kayak Journey - The half-day flow: what your 8:30am starts really look like

Rangitoto Island: Sea Kayak & Summit Hike Day Trip

Rangitoto Island: Sea Kayak & Summit Hike Day Trip - Getting ready: the meeting point and the first briefing

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

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

Kayak Waitemata Harbor to Rangitoto, then hike to the volcano summit for 360 views of Auckland, with expert coaching and a BBQ lunch.

“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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Auckland: Browns Island (Motukorea) Sea Kayak Tour

Auckland: Browns Island (Motukorea) Sea Kayak Tour - The tour in plain terms: what happens in 4 hours

11.Browns Island (Motukorea) Sea Kayak Tour

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

Beginner-friendly sea kayaking from St Heliers to Browns Island in 4 hours. Paddle Hauraki Gulf, Motukorea volcano, and watch for wildlife.

“I had amazing day out in the Hauraki Gulf, gluiding across its blue waters and exploring one of its spectacular ancient volcanos. I experienced great views great company and a great tour guide.”

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Auckland City Lights Night Kayaking Tour

Auckland City Lights Night Kayaking Tour - Getting to St Mary’s Bay and meeting your small crew

12.Auckland City Lights Night Kayaking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $83

Night kayak from St Mary’s Bay to the Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge, with snacks and safety gear included for $83.78.

“Bennett was awesome!! Professional, welcoming, funny, and knowledgeable! He took care of everything from jackets/windbreakers to tea and treats. He kept us safe, at ease, and engaged. It was a great experience to see Auckland light up at night. Fun activity and beautiful night!”

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Auckland: City Lights Night Kayak Tour

Auckland: City Lights Night Kayak Tour - Meeting at Z Pier: Gear, Pace, and First Coaching

13.City Lights Night Kayak Tour

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

Paddle Auckland’s harbor at night for skyline and bridge views, expert coaching, and a sweet treat in a small group.

“Wonderful tour guides. They made us feel safe, comfortable and ensured that we enjoyed the experience. It was a unique and awesome experience!”

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Browns Island Motukorea Sea Kayak Tour

Browns Island Motukorea Sea Kayak Tour - The paddle from St Heliers: first views of Hauraki Gulf and Waitematā Harbour

14.Browns Island Motukorea Sea Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $93

Sea kayak from St Heliers to Browns Island Motukorea for birds, volcanic scenery, and Barnard’s 1909 aviation trial story, 4 hours.

“Both my friend and I were in awe of our instructors wealth of knowledge of the area and the story behind it, would highly recommend this experience to anyone considering the Kay’s king experience”

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Auckland: Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour to Motukorea Island

Auckland: Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour to Motukorea Island - From St Heliers to the Water: Meeting Point and What to Wear

15.Half-Day Sea Kayak Tour to Motukorea Island

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

Kayak from Auckland to Motukorea Island, hike an extinct volcano summit, and learn island history with expert guides, snacks, and great city views.

“This activity was amazing!! Our guide, Daniel was so kind and informative. He was such a big help in getting us set up in our kayak and getting to go. The kayak ride was about an hour there and back, and it was smooth water so it wasn’t difficult. The island was GORGEOUS. We hiked to the top of the volcano and the views were truly spectacular. It’s a small and beautiful island with the greenest grass I’ve ever seen. I definitely recommend this tour!”

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