Okarito Overnight Wilderness Kayaking

Kayaking-Okarito-Lagoon

Overnight Freedom Kayaking and Camping Experience

Explore New Zealand’s largest unmodified estuarine lagoon – home to more than 70 bird species, including the beautiful kotuku (white heron).

At Okarito lagoon, on the west coast of the South Island, there’s a huge area of shallow open water and tidal flats just waiting to be explored. It’s the perfect location for sheltered water kayaking, and there is plenty to see as you paddle along.The lagoon is surrounded by lush native rainforest, above which rise the towering snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps. The area is an important feeding ground for thousands of wading birds that seem relatively unruffled by the wide-eyed people drifting quietly by in kayaks.

What to Expect

This trip will only suite those that have had experience wilderness camping. There are absolutely no facilities available, you will be alone in the native rainforest and should be fully self-reliant and able to take care of yourself.

The rewards will be more than worthwhile, this pristine piece of New Zealand wilderness is home to more than 70 bird species, including the beautiful kotuku (white heron) so you can imagine the dawn chorus. There will be a fairly good chance that you will be the only people out in the lagoon and as there are no snakes or dangerous wild animals in New Zealand you can relax and enjoy the peace and quiet.