Kayak Hire

With 1500km of coastline to explore, stretching from just north of Kaikoura to the tip of d'Urville Island, the Marlborough Sounds is a truly remarkable sea kayaking destination.

What makes your sea kayaking experience in the Marlborough Sounds different to other parts of New Zealand? The climate for a start - here at the top of the South Island, visitors can enjoy a generally settled year round climate with many more paddling days available than in other sea kayaking destinations around the country.

You'll also escape the crowds as with such an extensive network of waterways, even at the height of summer you can normally find a wee corner of paradise to explore without masses of others. Or, at least you won't be dashing to be first to already crowded beaches.

There is also the amazing range of accommodation options available for guided or independent sea kayakers - from Department of Conservation campsites spread conveniently a day's paddle apart to popular lodges and even five star resorts. Fancy stopping for a cappuccino or how about dining in a fine restaurant at some stage during your paddle? It’s all possible in the Marlborough Sounds.

And there is wilderness in abundance too so if you want to escape the crowds, we can design a trip with this in mind. Whatever your preference, the Marlborough Sounds has a memorable kayaking option for you. 

As Marlborough Sounds’ sea kayak operators, we have an unblemished safety record and our friendly, thorough and professional approach has seen many people come as customers and leave as friends. Wilderness Guides is adventure audit approved by Outdoors Mark and we operate above and beyond the SKOANZ (Sea Kayak Operators of New Zealand) Code of Practice.

We’ve had more than a decade of experience as one of the leading providers of sea kayak tours in the area and we are known for our flexibility and dedication to customer service. We truly care about your enjoyment, safety and comfort and nightly weather forecasts while you are on your trip are part of this.

So, talk to us soon about your kayak adventure in the Marlborough Sounds – this is where your adventure begins. 

See all of our trips for further information on some of the popular options for sea kayaking in the Marlborough Sounds with Wilderness Guides.

We have sea kayaks for rental for those wanting flexibility and independent adventure in the Marlborough Sounds.

Our new and near new kayaks are of excellent quality, stable, durable and designed and made in New Zealand for our unique conditions. As part of your hire, we supply you with a bouyancy aid (lifejacket), spray deck, paddle jacket, paddles, dry bags for your gear (including small camera dry bags) and extensive safety equipment including flares, pumps and spare paddle. Most of our gear is new or near new.

As part of our rental service, we will also help you plan the best trip for the weather conditions at the time and to make best use of the great campsites, backpacker lodges and resorts dotted throughout Queen Charlotte Sound. Our safety plan is professionally audited and when it comes to your comfort and well-being, our ethics are second to none.

Kayaks are also only rented in pairs - we are not able to hire to solo paddlers for safety reasons.