Whale Island (Moutohorā) Guided Kayak Tour

Check out this intro to Moutohorā / Whale Island https://youtu.be/w4sK4Dn7phc

Moutohorā / Whale Island, a wildlife management reserve, is 9km off the coast from Whakatane and it’s a kayaking paradise. We meet at the Whakatane Yacht Club Wharf, close to the i- Site and after a biosecurity check , we welcome you on board the boat, Centaurus, a well appointed sailing catamaran. After a safety briefing from Baz the skipper and with kayaks loaded, we head down the Whakatane River and out on to the ocean for the 45 minute trip to Whale Island. En route we’ll give you a little history of the area and of Whale Island itself and discuss kayak safety. We usually start at the most sheltered corner of the Island and give everyone an opportunity to become accustomed to kayaking on the ocean, before heading off on our tour.

Wildlife encounters, whether NZ fur seals, little blue penguins or gannets plunging into the ocean around us are common and the scenery is always breath taking. When the conditions are right we are able to explore the sea caves on the North West corner, but always we take time to visit the HOT WATER BEACH at Onepu on the south side of the island, where we check out the geothermal activity and toast our toes in the hot sand.

After two hours of paddling, we return to the boat for a hot cuppa (tea, plunger coffee, hot chocolate etc), perhaps a swim and a few yarns from the boat skipper before the return trip to Whakatane. You’ll love it ! We do !

* AVAILABLE DATES will be shown here:
there are no dates available in March or April 2024. Please email any enquiries for later in the year to kgkayaks@gmail.com

Departs 8am or by arrangement.
Tours have between 6 -10 participants.

CHILDREN? This trip is suitable for children who are experienced in outdoor activity. Children aged 8 -12 may share a double kayak with an adult
Under 8’s can travel as non kayaking passengers if accompanied by an adult- cost $130.

All trips are weather dependent.
Minimum numbers apply.

Price $280pp

Tour time 5 hours +

LANDING ON THE ISLAND – a visit to the HOT WATER BEACH at Onepu/ Sulphur Bay is now an integral part of the trip thanks to skipper Barry’s work in obtaining a Department of Conservation (DoC) Concession. Part of your tour cost goes back to DoC to help protect this special place.

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“We were a family group ranging in ages and abilities who went on the beautiful kayaking, sailing, walking tour of Moutohora (Whale) Island out from Whakatane.
This is such a unique journey with Kenny and his team – first of all sailing out to the island, kayaking around it to see wildlife, birds, seals, learn about the history of this once inhabited but not completely predator-free island, walk on the beach and sit in the natural warm spa water, beautiful pristine blue waters to swim in. And then there’s the homemade banana cake!
The whole team are warm, you feel safe, secure, confident and there’s obvious pride in what they are showing to visitors. And then on the sail home we got the chance to winch the sails and sail the boat home.” Pietra 2019 (Trip Advisor)

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