Kayaking and Evening Tour

Description

This is a perfect option for people who have a good level of fitness and wish to spend more time in Pohatu bay natural environment.

Start with a ride over to Pohatu with photo stops and commentary as you go. Once in the bay get set up for the kayaking trip, a safety talk and wildlife code to ensure safe behaviours and get on the water to encounter Pohatu marine reserve resident wildlife.

Explore the bay with our knowledgeable guides who know where to look to spot resident New Zealand fur seals, Hector’s dolphins that frequently visit the bay, Penguins on the rocks (in season) and many sea-birds and deep sea-caves to enter on calm conditions.

After the kayaking activity you will have time before the Evening penguin tour starts. You can either relax or explore some of the accessible walking tracks through ancient forest.
You will also have free access to our bathroom block where you can take a shower and our communal kitchen where you can cook your dinner before the evening penguin tour which will start from the Helps homestead at the time you have been told by your kayaking guide.

You will head for a conservation walk and talk and monitor a couple of penguin nesting boxes giving you a good opportunity to see these little guys up close. We hike out to hides on the side of the hills and observe the bay from above to spot penguins that are frequently seen socializing on the water in the middle of the bay. And just before night fall, we may get lucky and see penguins coming ashore under the hides. We leave before it gets too dark as this is penguin hour and they need to get up the hills to their waiting chicks without disturbance from us.

Itinerary

• 12pm departure from our office in Akaroa for a scenic drive to Pōhatu marine reserve and the sea-kayaking safari
• 3, 3.30pm finish with the sea-kayaking
• Free time to relax or explore some of our walking tracks and ancient forest
• Free access to a communal kitchen for your diner and shower facilities.
• Evening penguin tour: departure changes due to the sunset so check with the guide for the meeting time and instruction
• Return in Akaroa after dark and in the height of summer this could be as late at 10.45pm.

Disclaimers

On certain days with certain weather conditions, we might only be able to run the tour with experienced kayakers. If, due to your lack of experience or because of your child(ren)'s ages and capacities, the guide advises that you cannot join the tour, we please ask for your understanding. If this were to be the case, we would either offer you a full refund or to join one of our nature tours depending on availability.