A Paddle in the Marlborough Sounds

The sound of my paddle hitting the water, the bright blue hue of the sky and the tranquility of hidden bays are what I remember most about my first kayak trip in New Zealand.

The Marlborough Sounds, located in the north of New Zealand’s South Island, is an intricate maze of islands, coves and waterways created when the seas flooded the valleys after the ice age. With over 1500km of coastline to explore, it doesn’t take long to feel like you’ve escaped civilisation and found your own piece of paradise. Expedia’s travellers have figured that out, flocking to the major bases of Picton, Nelson and Blenheim for a holiday.

If you’re travelling from the North Island, Air New Zealand flies straight into Blenheim from Wellington or there’s a car and passenger ferry service to Picton that leaves from Wellington too. If you’re already on the South Island, there are bus services from places like Nelson or Christchurch or try the scenic TranzCoastal train from Christchurch (October – April only).

Once you’ve made it there, it’s time to hit the water. Plenty of companies offer kayak rental and guided trips. You can head out for three hours, or three days. Guided trips are a terrific option if you’re not an experienced kayaker or you’re after local insights to the diverse landscape and wildlife along the way…

As a general rule children must be aged 12 or over to join a guided trip (in a double kayak with an adult), but if your kids are younger than this and you think they’re capable, you might be able to arrange a private family guided tour. The best thing to do is contact a few companies to discuss your needs. The great thing about having kids in a double kayak is they can rest when they need to without the entire group having to stop.