Lake Mapourika Kayak Tour: Scenic Glacier Views

365 Ratings

Franz Josef / Waiau

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Embark on a small-group kayak adventure near Franz Josef Glacier. Discover the stunning Lake Mapourika, surrounded by the Southern Alps and Glaciers, and explore a kiwi sanctuary in the pristine rainforest.

Duration: 3 hours

Cancellation: 24 hours

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Highlights

Lake Mapourika - Paddle across the stunning waters of Lake Mapourika with your knowledgeable local guide. Take in views of the glaciers and Southern Alps as you paddle across and explore the rainforest and conservation area on the far shoreline of lake.

What's Included

Private transportation
All equipment provided including dry bags, splash jackets and gloves and hats in the winter
Fully Guided Activity
Courtesy pick-ups available on request
Courtesy Transport to and from the Lake
High Quality Photos

What's Not Included

Lunch
Food and drinks, unless specified

Additional Information

A unique kayak adventure, only minutes from Franz Josef Glacier! Set out across Lake Mapourika’s mirror-like water and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Southern Alps and Glaciers.
Lake Mapourika was created by the mighty Franz Josef Glacier as it retreated some 14 000 years ago, now it sits sandwiched between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea….

Location

30 Main Road

Main Road

Please check-in at our office 15 minutes prior to your trip departure time. We are located in the building next to The Landing Restaurant.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.9

(365 Ratings)

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Jamanda999

Mar 20, 2025

Beautiful kayak trip - Fabulous kayak paddle. Totally atmospheric and misty on the way out and sunny and gorgeous on the way back. Appreciated the cup of tea on the island and the great guide.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Matthewkj786al

Mar 17, 2025

A three hour tour! - Had a great trip on the lake, views were spectacular. Our guide was awesome so knowledgeable and great to chat with as we paddled around the lake. A fun and unique experience to have in the area, would highly recommend it.

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C574fushelleya

Mar 15, 2025

Gliding over the lake - The guides were at tentative , helpful and funny. Also knowledgeable. The random kayaking was great. I would do it again in a heartbeat

Review provided by Tripadvisor

839libbyz

Mar 8, 2025

Give it a go - It was a wonderful experience and the two guides were delightful. I was a bit of a novice at kayaking but it was pretty easy. Loved it

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Mikebs8369ch

Mar 7, 2025

Serene and interesting guided tour - The kayak tour was lovely - a serene experience and a beautiful lake. Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable, both letting us enjoy the lake and surrounds and also providing really interesting facts and information. The hidden creek was delightful and not something you'd ever find on your own. It was also great that our guide was just as excited to see the different animals (like a white heron in flight) as we were, so felt very much like a shared experience and not just a follow the guide and get the talk and that's it!

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Climber61988928032

Mar 5, 2025

March 5 , 2025 - Excellent kayak experience. Detailed explanation of the conservation of the wilderness preserve about the glacial watershed.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Sarah_f

Mar 1, 2025

Peace kayak trip - Enjoyable kayak on a peaceful lake with a knowledgeable guide. Does require some level of fitness. Lovely scenery

Review provided by Viator

Timprior

Mar 1, 2025

Highly recommend - fantastic morning out. - 11 of us on Distant Journeys tour took this excursion. Wonderful morning out with our guides Olly and Sydney. The weather was great, the lake was calm and we had a fantastic journey across the lake and up a creek. The guides were excellent, reassuring to us ‘newbies’ and lots of information on the lake and the surrounding shores - especially with regard to the kiwi saving work thats being done. Having not done any kayaking for 40 odd years i was nervous, but it was a gentle pace and very easy - would highly recommend to all

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Sherpa45607644458

Feb 26, 2025

Kayaking in paradise - This was an absolutely beautiful kayak trip around a gorgeous lake. Our tour started early in the am which was a magical time to experience the mist on the lake, the wildlife, and the sun changes on the mountains. The lake was quiet, peaceful and showcased absolutely stunning natural landscape. Max, one of the guides was even from our home state in the US! It is a small world! Dale, the company owner, was my partner in the kayak and he was fabulous. ( I didn't have to worry about going around in circles like my husband and I usually do when kayaking.) We were with a group of people on this experience and everyone loved the kayak trip.

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Goldihoares

Mar 9, 2025

Great guide for a sedate paddle - Sydney was a fantastic guide, her kayaking and nature knowledge was brilliant. Felt well looked after and enthusiastic. We saw white and grey herons and enjoyed the mirror on the creek as well as some on the lake. Photos were superb! This is a fairly sedate paddle across the lake, and a bit less in the Okarito than we were expecting (our mistake). But this lake is often clear even when clouds on the mountains so that's a bonus!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

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up to 15 guests

1 Adult