Paddle across Auckland's beautiful Waitematā Harbour on a guided sea kayak tour to Rangitoto Island, New Zealand's youngest and largest volcano. Enjoy spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf as you kayak to the island, then join your guide for a walk to the summit, where you'll take in panoramic views over Auckland and its surrounding islands. After a healthy Kiwi-style BBQ dinner by the water, paddle back across the harbour at sunset and after dark, experiencing the city lights from a unique perspective. No previous kayaking experience is required, and all equipment is provided.
Koby our guide made the excursion the best!!! Koby was knowledgeable on every aspect of the kayak trip, hike, and put together a delicious dinner to fuel us on the return. His energy, outgoing nature and New Zealand hospitality for our family was much appreciated. Look forward to booking with Koby and Auckland Sea Kayaks upon our return in February 2027!!!
We had such an awesome day and evening out with Daniel. He was so chill but also very obviously knowledgeable about the flora and fauna. He made us feel safe at all times and we had perfect weather. Thanks again Daniel!!!
Amazing yet exhausting tour but so worth it! Be ready to row your ass off and then walk the rest of it off. Our guide Koby, Kobe, Cobie, Coby was amazing and extremely helpful. The row back was rough waters and he had to tow us which couldn’t be easy. If it didn’t we’d still be at sea!
I was recommended this tour and after reading about how award-winning and highly-rated this company/experience was, I left disappointed. We were guided by an enthusiastic kid, he was young. The weather was cold. The food was average and portions skimpy but worst of all when I asked if they had a food control plan or food license, they didn't know how to answer. I've been on other experiences and not one to usually use social platforms but since in Neu Zealand I felt compelled as if one doesn't give feedback one doesn't know how to improve. I did however like the views, but the paddle and hike combined was too much effort for little reward when comparing to Mt Eden or Skytower which I had done with for free or $50 rather than $250 here.
On our day it was too windy to kayak to Rangitoto so we went to Browns Island instead. It was still the most amazing experience, I came on my own not sure what to expect. Ben and Milly were excellent guides and made sure we felt safe and were comfortable kayaking with a bit of wind around. The hike was great too, Ben was very knowledgeable about the area and Māori culture. It was a great experience.
We had an amazing experience with our tour guide Daniel. We had originally booked the day time tour, but there was rain and heavy winds. Ensuring our safety, he offered to let us come back later in the week for the evening tour. Daniel was a fun and knowledgable guide, identified plants and animals, and the history of the island to our small group of seven. I wish it could have been longer! Well worth the price for the amazing experience and beautiful sights.
Our guide was Daniel, and he was so knowledgeable and encouraging on our tour today! He made sure we were comfortable and safe before we set out for the beautiful island. On the paddle out and when we got there, he told us interesting facts about the history of the area, the islands surrounding us, and the volcanoes. After an invigorating hike up to the summit, we got a lovely view of Auckland at sunset. We were served a delicious dinner and then had a magical paddle back in the dark, with sparks of bioluminescence in the water!
Marco was fantastic! The ride out there was challenging but the hike and the view was great. The information about the history of the island was interesting as well. Overall a great experience
I really enjoyed kayaking and the hike and dinner. Tony did a great job. Kept us all together and safe. I thoroughly enjoyed kayaking, hiking, and the dinner. Tony did an excellent job of keeping us all together and ensuring our safety.
It is well run and a fun adventure. Marco is a wonderful guide who goes out of his way to ensure you are safe, comfortable and having a good time.
the best thing we did while visiting town. our guide was a super sweet lady from canada. a good workout with the kayaks and hiking but worth the view. coming back at night was beautiful. definitely have trail running shoes or hiking shoes as the terrain was more manageable but bring shoes to get wet in also. nice to have vans to put stuff in while on the trip. arms and legs a good sore the next morning.
The worst kayak experience I have had, - EVER! I was totally ignored by one of 2 tour guides when asking for a tow line after 7-8 km. in 17 m wind condition/1-1,5 m high waves. I reasoned the request by exhaustion 😡
Great flexibility with changing weather. Gorgeous views. Loved the opportunity to enjoy a less touristy version of Auckland.
It was an amazing and unforgettably experience. I booked without really paying much attention to the description. The adventure started with kayaking a 5k from shore to Rangitoto Island and then our awesome guide Daniel, prepared some delicious dinner. He even offered us tea or coffee. I could not even believe it. We were the only people in the island. It was peaceful and quiet. After dinner we hiked 1.5 miles up to the summit that totally blown us away with its beauty and majestic. Like a dream. We took pics of the beautiful sunset and head back to then row another 5k to the shore. It was dark by the time we came back. It was just peaceful. Daniel is very nice and knowledge on the history, plant and birds of the region. We really did enjoy it very much. I feel like I got more than I paid for. Would do it again in a heart beat.
I got super lucky and was one of only two clients on my trip, and I had a super fun time! Ben and Camila were awesome guides, very knowledgeable and great cooks! They were super accommodating to my lack of kayaking and hiking experience. I would definitely recommend this for anyone wanting a little adventure and to meet people!
Great experience! The kayaking wasn't too hard at all! And great for couples (or even 2 pals) as you kayak in 2 seater boats, so it's not as much of a challenge for novices who haven't been in a canoe or a kayak for decades! Great sunset views at the summit! Take shoes with ankle support! And dont forget 2 changes of dry underwear! Chilean Ben was a fantastic host! Great steaks too!
Me and my partner had the best day on this tour, our guide Ben was wonderful, hilarious and obviously very good at what he does. We had the perfect day for it with the weather and the calmest of waters. Topped off with stunning sunset views from the top of Rangitoto and a new experience of being on the water at night. Would highly recommend if you’re in the city on holiday, or even if you live here (like me) and want to try something new. Getting out of the hustle and bustle of the city was very therapeutic :))
It was a beautiful day to kayak at Rangitoto island, and the tour guide Tony, created a fun and immersive experience for us! We were provided with extra kayaking gear, and lots of explicit instruction that was easy to follow! The kayaking experience was beautiful, and the hike up to rangitoto was beautiful. Tony provided us with extensive knowledge about the surrounding area and some of the north island history. Once we got back down, we had a wonderful meal provided by Auckland Sea Kayaks, and were able to safely kayak back at night! Highly recommend to anyone who wants a fun adventure and a good time!
What a great experience. Paddle over to Rangitoto, yummy BBQ dinner, climb to the summit of Rangitoto to see the sunset then night paddle back to Shore with the City all lit up. Thanks Daniel - it was amazing!
Really enjoyed our sunset sea kayak trip from Auckland to Rangitoto Island. Our host Tony was exceptional in his guidance, knowledge and expertise. We had lovely weather, views and tasty BBQ on dry land. Highly recommend! Definitely one of trip highlights. Be prepared to get wet (despite the skirt) but to have an awesome adventure!
What a fantastic experience. The kayak across the bay to Rangitoto was a good challenge. The hike up Rangitoto provided incredible views across the islands and back to the city skyline. The barbecue was delicious and the evening kayak back, with the twinkling city lights and skyline, was magical. We even saw a pod of orcas off Rangitoto! Thank you Kobe for your great guiding and great barbecue.
We loved our sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto. Our party was a group of four and we had four others in our group. Really highly recommend it. Our guide was very knowledgeable and informative so we felt in safe hands! I hadn't done much kayaking before but we were given great advice and I really enjoyed the kayaking. After a warm drink at Rangitoto we got to walk up and enjoy the beauty and nature that Rangitoto offers. Once back down we enjoyed a bbq before kayaking home in the dark under the stars . Thanks to Tony and the team for such a great experience!
This was the ultimate Auckland Experience! Our tour guide, Ben, took his time ensuring we were safe and comfortable prior to hitting the water. Once out, we had such a peaceful experience on the water heading to Brown Island. Ben took the time to make us coffee and tea, and then took us on a easy hike all the way to the top of the summit where we could see so much. Ben gave us so much history and knowledge about the area and the different islands. Once at the bottom Ben prepared an amazing dinner of steak and pasta salad and cole slaw. We then took a lovely kayak ride back to land, timing our stops to enjoy watching the sunset over Auckland. This entire experience could not have happened without the personalized support Ben provided us from start to finish.
Awesome afternoon and evening with Ben leading the way. Started with a kayak, then coffee & brownies, then a hike, bbq, and kayak back in the sunset.
Great experience both kayaking and hiking. We did the sunset cruise with Ben as our tour guide. He did a great job getting everyone comfortable to kayak and hike, teaching about the land and culture and being a team player for the group.
Trip was really cool. Ben was a really cool guide as well. Rangitoto island is also very beautiful and has a nice hike to the summit. Would definitely recommend this for people visiting Auckland. The bbq was nice and the sunset on the way back was the perfect way to end the trip. Thanks for the amazing experience!
We had a more than amazing time on the Sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto Island. Our guide Ben was full of vibes! Absolutely recommended!
Amazing tour with Ben & Cami. Beautiful way to see Auckland and great hosts. Rangitoto Island is also incredible. Couldn’t recommend more.
Unbelievable experience, kayaking out to the island and seeing the sunset over Auckland on the water was just phenomenal! Ben was a fantastic guide super knowledgable and very aware making changes based on weather and making us slow down and wait to see the full moon rise, super nice guy lovely to be around overall a fantastic experience would absolutely recommend one of the best things you could do in Auckland.
The sunset kayak tour with Auckland Sea Kayaks was incredible! Our guide, Ben, was fantastic—he was clearly very experienced, helped us beginners get comfortable in the kayak, and made sure we all had an amazing time. The kayaking was a blast, the summit hike was beautiful, the bbq dinner was delicious, and the sunset was stunning. There’s no better way to experience the sunset in Auckland. 10/10 would recommend this phenomenal experience!
Awesome way to spend A Friday evening... Paddle to Rangitoto, sort hike to the summit and a BBQ before coming back. Ben knows quite a bit of history for the place and ruined everything for a pretty amazing sunset trip home!
A great tour with views on Auckland and its bays and water around. Fantastic combination of daytime paddling, hiking, sunset, and return to the beach under a moonless sky filled with stars. The best: at this time of the day, we had Rangitoto island to ourselves. Ben was an amazing guide and paddling partner, and a great chef for our pier-side bbq. Thanks for picking us up downtown, and the ride back. Gracias compañero!
It’s 5 k each way very scenic and a great way to see the island and the beautiful sunset with a BBQ . Elle was a first class guide
This was a magical afternoon/evening with Kobe and Caitlin as our guides. Both were engaging, friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The trip included a low tide launch from St Heliers beach, a group paddle in doubles kayaks across the harbour, steep walk to summit to savour panoramic views, back down over scoria path to a bbq dinner. Kobe cooked the steak perfectly medium-rare. The weather played ball and the sunset was spectacular. The return paddle across the harbour after dark was a delight, including a bit of phosphorescence. Fantastic day out. Thanks Kobe and Caitlin.
We had an awesome time with Ben on this tour. He got us organized on the beach and led our kayak group over to the island. Then he made us a tasty dinner and led us on the hike to the summit for some fantastic sunset photos. The hike back down was smooth, and the return kayak leg had city light views and a nice tailwind. This tour was a great combination of exercise, adventure, learning about our surroundings, and camaraderie. And excellent brownies.
This tour is a truly incredible experience!! Our guide Ellie was fantastic from start to finish! She provided appropriate and thorough instruction/guidance for the entire trip. The meal was quite yummy, complete with a sunset brownie! The sunset views of Auckland at the end of the hike were amazing! We have sea kayaked in other places but having the chance to paddle back over dark calm waters while viewing the nighttime lights of Auckland was surreal and memorable! We highly recommend this trip!
Very cool experience. We did sunset BBQ tour. Our guide Coby was amazing! I had done a few tours in New Zealand and Australia in this trip and he was definitely my favorite! He was very capable, considerate, friendly and knowledgeable. I was very amazed that he actually cooked steak for us in the remote island! The hike was beautiful. Kayak was fun. I do suggest only people with good fitness level to do this tour as it can be strenuous from time to time. I also think they should have more than one guide instead of maximizing the guide and customer ratio. Coby was beyond amazing but just think that’s too much work for one person. And if they have more than one guide, the rest of us would be more relaxed instead of doing the chores. Overall very much recommend it!
Fantastic trip, can’t praise highly enough. Very well organised and safe. Kobey was a lovely friendly leader and was very thorough re safety etc. it was our last night in NZ, couldn’t have wished for a better end to our holiday.
Absolutely brilliant tour! Our guide, Kobey, was attentive, entertaining and well organised. The views kayaking to and from Rangitoto were beautiful, never mind the sunset view of Auckland from the island. Even the dinner was a solid 10/10. Would recommend this tour to anyone coming to Auckland, and would even consider doing this tour again as we enjoyed it so much. Kobey was the best tour guide.
Great opportunity to see the island with a hike up through a volcanic area, bbq with the group, and the city lights on the way back after dark.
What a great experience. Tony and Kobi were amazing guides. So organised, informative and safety conscious. After a walk to the top of Rangitoto, caught the most beautiful sunset. The pick up and drop off was also appreciated. An absolute winner and highly recommend.
An absolutely fantastic experience for those with a decent fitness level. Fun paddling, gorgeous scenery, and an amazing guide in Ben.
An absolutely fantastic trip, beautiful views, fun kayak route and hike. Easily the best option for an evening in Auckland. Ben was a terrific guide - showed us some excellent hikes, and kept us safe on the water, while keeping the vibes strong and the energy fun.
Strenuous but incredible views and experiences. Would definitely recommend. Our guide Daniel was also great and very knowledgeable about the area.
It was very windy so that we could not go to Rangitoto as planned. We went to another vulcanic Island that was closer instead. We hiked to the top of the crater but it was a very short walk and not as long as climbing Rangitoto. It was very cloudy so we could not see the sunset but the skylineof Aucklandin the dark on our way back was impressiv. In summery, it was a great experience and Elle our guide did a great job explaining kajaking and the nature and wildlife of the island. Bring a warm jacket for the hike because it can get cold when your sitting in wet clothes and be prepared that the activity is influenced by the weather conditions.
Great tour by Ben - super knowledgeable about the islands around Rangitoto and a competent tour guide and lunch cooker!
Amazing tour! I Benjamin, our guide from Auckland Sea Kayaks was really good and super helpful! The views are stunning as well. I recommend this tour 100%!
Really great kayak trip with Ben! He was very informative, fun, and helpful for us beginners on the kayaks. We will definitely be back next time we are in Auckland!
Our guide Ben was cheerful, knowledgeable and kind. He made two novices feel they could do it. The kayaking was a challenge but doable and my arms ached the next day and the walk and views were brilliant. Coming back we had wind behind us and lights were lovely
Our kayak tour was a great experience for us first time kayakers! We didn’t get to go to Rangitoto because the waves were too strong. We went to Brown Island, which gave us a fantastic view of the sunset. Our guide, Ben, was very patient, knowledgeable about the kayaking and the island, and made us feel safe. Our kayak experience was a great adventure we will always remember.
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