Kayak Rental in the Queen Charlotte Sound

• intro
• itinerary
• price
• departure
• gear
• faqs

FAQ'S

How do I know if I had enough experience to go sea kayaking with my friends?

Sea kayaking, like any water activity, has inherent risks. Kayak rental is available to people with outdoor experience, preferably in water activities. Every group must have an experienced person who is familiar with marine environments, and is able to anticipate and deal with adverse conditions, if they develop. On the morning of departure we will provide a full safety briefing which covers area such as weather, itinerary planning, on-water skills, capsize and re-entry. For inexperienced groups it's a good idea to hire a guide for part, or all, of your trip - or join our One Day Trip for your first day, and use it as a training day before heading off independently.

How much can I take in my sea kayak?

The double sea kayaks can take the equivalent of one large backpack and a half, per person. You can normally take fresh food for up to three days and it will remain fresh and edible. Single kayaks take approximately the equivalent of one pack per person.

Can I hire a sea kayak and camp out overnight on my own?

For safety reasons, we are not able to rent to solo paddlers.

Can we plan our itinerary now so that we can get organised?

We always recommend that people discuss their itinerary options with their guide during their safety briefing. At that time we can assess the weather forecast, the group's abilities and, from this, recommend a suitable itinerary to meet your needs. Therefore it is a good idea to not plan your itinerary until the day of arrival.

Can we find our own campsites or do we have to use Department of Conservation campsites?

We strongly urge all our clients to use the Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites as this ensures that we are all protecting our environment. Also, in most cases, the DOC campsites are in the best spots in the Sounds anyway. We sell tickets for DOC campsites at our office.

Can I catch a water taxi to the Outer-Sounds and paddle back?

If you haven't paddled in the Marlborough Sounds before, we always recommend that you paddle from Picton to the Outer Sounds. This means that you will be feeling more comfortable with the conditions by the time you reach the more exposed Outer Sounds. It is not a problem to organise water transport for your return to Picton.