Lake Kayaking, Franz Josef

This inspiring kayak tour offers a unique experience where you will paddle through a protected habitat with panoramic views of the glaciers and mountains.

Weather is a feature of the tour – sandwiched between mountains and sea, Lake Mapourika, has its own micro-climate which enhances the ambience of the experience. With all equipment provided and expert paddling advice, you should remain warm and dry on your eco-tour.

Leaving from Jetty Bay, the guided half day tour takes you across the glacial lake past rain forest and imposing vertical walls of glacial moraine. You then paddle through the pristine environment of the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary and 900-year-old kahikatea trees.

In the morning, when there is generally little wind. These hassle-free kayak tours glide across the surface of the lake which mirrors the surrounding landscape and, on a good day, you can see views of Mount Cook, Mount Tasman and 14 glaciers, including Franz Josef Glacier.

After lunch, a coastal sea breeze ruffles the surface of the lake, making the afternoon scenic tours a little more adventurous, with the bonus of dramatic light change and cloud formations sweeping across the highest peaks of the Southern Alps.

The opportunities for photographers are endless! For those who don’t want to carry cameras, guides take high quality digital photographs of your kayaking adventure for you to take away free of charge.