Our tours
Now you can experience Franz Josef’s unique landscape up close. Enjoy the unbeatable views of the mountains and glaciers reflected on the calm waters of Lake Mapourika.
You’ll also get up close with some of Westland’s oldest untouched rain-forest as we paddle our way through the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary -home to the endangered Rowi Kiwi.
Where We Paddle
Lake Mapourika, situated in the Franz Josef Glacier valley, was created some 14,000 years ago as the glacier retreated after the most recent ice age.
The surrounding tall peaks leave the lake calm and mirror- like, with unbeatable panoramic views of snow fields, glaciers and some of the tallest peaks in the country.
GLACIER COUNTRY KAYAKS & SUPS
Important update: We are open and operating as usual, although there are currently a few road closures in place affecting access to Franz Josef. You can keep up to date HERE. We expect the roads South to Wanaka to be open by Saturday, and the roads North up the coast to be open by Christmas. For any further questions regarding your booking please contact our team we’re happy to help.
Glacier Country Kayaks is a family owned and operated small team of passionate guides. We are trained in all aspects of paddling safety and are renowned for our excellent customer service. Our team aim to deliver an unforgettable experience in our unique natural environment. On every trip our guides snap pictures, and we provide them FREE after each tour.
There’s a reason we’ve held the #1 Activity on Tripadvisor for years!
Lake Mapourika is scenic gem on the West Coast. Situated in an idyllic spot for paddling. Jurassic rain forest fringes along the water’s edge and New Zealand’s rarest kiwis live along the shoreline too. Our departure point at Jetty Bay is an iconic photo stop on the West Coast Highway! Booking is easy online… join us for a paddle today and make your experience in Glacier Country one to remember.
Reviews
See why we are ranked so highly on Trip Advisor for Franz Josef Glacier’s activities!
I cannot recommend this enough! I’ve now done it twice in 3 years and both times it was spectacular, both in terms of scenery and overall experience. Our guide was fun and knowledgeable and was taking candid snaps all throughout the trip that we had access to later on. I highly recommend the morning trip, as that’s when the water is like glass and it feels so serene gliding over it. It truly is one of the best experiences in Franz Josef.
This was a great way to spend a few hours in an idyllic setting. Our guide Johnny was excellent – so friendly and full of knowledge about our surroundings. Highly recommended, thanks!
We took the morning tour and it was fantastic. The waters were calm and the morning clouds were lifting. Laura and Reiss were our guides. They were informative, personable and informed. They talked about current conservation objectives and provided a safe and fun environment. My partner and I are seniors and had no problem keeping up. There were adequate rest periods and beautiful views.