Kayaking in Queenstown sounds fun to you?
Make sense as there’s the huge Lake Wakatipu right on the doorstep.
But where exactly should you go kayaking in Queenstown? There are a few options, and they’re not all on Lake Wakatipu. This post will give a beginner/family-friendly introduction to Queenstown kayaking.
p.s. If you want to borrow my inflatable 2 person kayak in Queenstown, message me via WhatsApp on +64 20 4170 2764 and we can try work something out.
QUEENSTOWN KAYAKING: WHAT TO KNOW
1. Where to kayak in Queenstown
2. Where to hire & buy kayaks in Queenstown
3. Kayak tours in & around Queenstown
Let’s get into it.
1. WHERE TO GO KAYAKING IN QUEENSTOWN
Clicking the image below will open the map in a new window.
QUEENSTOWN BAY
Queenstown Bay
This is where Paddle Queenstown are based, so it makes sense to go kayaking here. And it is beautiful! But it’s busy, not just with people on the beach, but traffic on the water too. So while you’re allowed to kayak in the bay it can be a bit stressful (stay out of the access lanes).
The easiest place to kayak without getting in the way of boats and other motorised vehicles is to follow the shoreline around the Queenstown Gardens. The exception would be early in the morning before the motorised vehicles are running, and you can sort of have more free reign.
That said, if you’ve got the family keen to hang on the beach for the day, having your kayak there isn’t a bad idea.
MOKE LAKE
If there’s lots of wind on Lake Wakatipu, then Moke Lake can be a great place to find flat water for kayaking.
And you’ve got the Moke Lake walk, as well as a couple of other activities you can do nearby.
There’s a nice launching area at the main car park at the far end of the lake, and the water temperature is quite warm if you’re feeling like a mid-swim dip.
The only downside to Moke Lake is the water is dark compared to other places you can kayak in the Queenstown area. Not a major, but something to keep in mind.
BOB’S COVE
Bob’s Cove is a must-stop location on the road between Queenstown and Glenorchy.
It’s got tropical island vibes with the water being so clear. Check out the photo above taken from a flight I took back from Milford Sound with the amazing Air Milford team, so good!
It’s a large bay, I liked heading around the edge of the bay and heading along the coastline toward Queenstown before circling back.
The only downside of kayaking here is the few hundred metres you need to walk along part of the Bob’s Cove Track to get to the beach from the car park…it’s no major but noticeable.
SUNSHINE BAY
A short drive from the heart of Queenstown, Sunshine Bay takes you away from chaos. Love it. The beach is full of small smallish pebbles and can be sheltered at times even when Queenstown Bay is windy. As a kayaking destination, it can be fun to kayak into town early in the morning to grab a coffee before kayaking back to Sunshine Bay.
This is a great kayaking spot that’s away from the larger crowds, but easy to access.
RELATED POST: THE SUNSHINE BAY TRACK
WILSON BAY
Wilson Bay is a spot that’s getting more and more popular. It’s located next to the Seven Mile bike area, but the bay is gorgeous and the fact you can park right next to the beach makes it super easy to access. And while it can be busy, you wouldn’t call it overcrowded.
For kayaking, this makes it super easy to get in and out of the water to/from the car, and there’s ample space to relax on the beach.
SHOTOVER RIVER
The Shotover River is illegal to kayak in (unless you apply for a permit), but there is an exception thanks to a public concession that was passed in 2021. That concession allows the public to access the Shotover River from 5.30 pm and 10 pm every Wednesday and Friday.
You get into the Shotover River up at Arthurs Point, then you can kayak down the river and exit at Tucker Beach. Given the timeline of 5.30 pm to 10 pm, this is only something to do in the summer months.
In general, the river is cruisey to navigate but there can be some awkward sections so it’s usually better to go with a group.
DRIFT BAY
Drift Bay is located out in Jacks Point, which is a growing area with lots of new builds and airbnb rentals popping up. So you might find yourself out in this direction.
You can drive close tot he launch point, and it’s almost a guarantee you’ll only be sharing the area with a handful of people at once. The bay is often sheltered on a windy day, but there are certainly no guarantees. Given that, I’d only head here to kayak if you’re sure its a calm day and/or are staying nearby.
LAKE HAYES
Lake Hayes is a decent-sized lake that people enjoy cycling, walking and running around. But you can also go out on the lake itself. I’m not sure why, but this doesn’t seem to be a super popular place for kayaking.
If you’re walking the Lake Hayes loop you’ll spot a few kayaks hidden in the bushes, but I rarely see kayaks on the lake itself.
Perhaps the scenery isn’t as good as Moke Lake? And it does seem to get a steady wind on it more often than not. That said, one of the local kayak clubs trains on here, so if you’re staying nearby, it’s not a bad option.
The easiest access is at the northern end of the lake, where on warm days you can swim in the warm-ish water.
PIGEON ISLAND
If you’re looking for a kayaking mission, then an overnight or day trip to Pigeon Island might be just what you’re looking for. The kayak adventure is about 2km each way and once you’re there you can enjoy the walk around the island or even stay at the hut (or camp). For those who are ambitious, you can kayak around the island as well.
2. WHERE TO GET KAYAKS IN QUEENSTOWN
If you’re looking to get your hands on kayaks in Queenstown, there’s only one place that you can hire them from really. Otherwise you can look into buying one (remember to buy life jackets/PFD’s).
WHERE TO HIRE KAYAKS IN QUEENSTOWN
There’s only one reasonable place to hire kayaks in Queenstown, and that’s with Paddle Queenstown.
It’s best to book in advance with them, as they’re not always available on Queenstown Beach. You can book online, or at least give them a call in advance.
Pricing:
- Single kayak for 1 person (all ages) is $35
- Double kayak for 2 adults (max weight 200kg)s is $70
- Double kayak for 1 adult + 1 child (max weight 200kgs) is $60
- Single kayak for 1 child (Ages 5-8 / max weight 40kgs) is $20
WHERE TO BUY KAYAKS IN QUEENSTOWN
There aren’t too many places to buy kayaks in Queenstown. And over the summer any stock the shops do have can sell out fast. I recommend buying online in advance using the click and collect option so you can pick it up in-store when it arrives, and/or call the store up in advance and ask to put it on hold for you which they usually can for a couple of days.
I’ve got the Intex Challenger K2 from Macpac and have had great times on it.
Here are a few places to look at buying kayaks in Queenstown:
Don’t forget you’ll need to buy life jackets as well. In addition to the above, Rebel Sports may have some.
3. KAYAKING TOURS IN QUEENSTOWN
In Queenstown itself, there aren’t a whole lot of kayaking tours available. But in and around the Otago region, there are a few options. Here’s what you’ve got option-wise:
GUIDED TOURS
- Rosscos Milford Kayaks: This is a fun and different way to experience Milford Sound. They’ve got a great reputation, and they have a few options available such as this trip that combines kayaking an a cruise.
- Funyaks with Dart River Adventures: Based out in Glenorchy the funyaks are inflatable canoes. Not exactly kayaks, but the same principles. They’ve got a great team of guides, and this is a full day excursion that’ll be one to remember for sure. You can also book it on GetYourGuide.com
SELF-GUIDED TOURS
- Moke Lake with Paddle Queenstown: If you’d rather not go in Queenstown Bay, they can take you to Moke Lake and provide everything you need before you head out on your own self paced kayak around the lake. Find out more here.
- To Ruby Island with Paddle Wanaka: Ruby Island is a short distance off the shores of Lake Wanaka, and you can hire a kayak to head out this way. You can get good discounts with them here on BookMe.co.nz.
And there we go, an introduction for Queenstown kayaking for beginners/family-friendly stuff.
If you have any questions and/or comments, leave a message below or email jub@churnewzealand.com.
Hey, it’s Jub here. I’m the guy behind Chur New Zealand, helping you have the best time hiking, trekking, walking…whatever you want to call it…in NZ. I’m based in Queenstown and am always out and about exploring trails, old & new. If you have any questions, reach out.