Why Choose Golden Bay Kayaks

“Family-run since 2010 — trusted by generations to share the peaceful beauty of Golden Bay.”

Safety & Trust

Your wellbeing is always our first priority.

• Small groups with personal attention

• Experienced, qualified guides trained in rescue & first aid

• Reliable, modern equipment checked before every trip

• Flexible rescheduling if weather changes

Local Knowledge & Culture

Golden Bay is our home, and we love sharing it with you.

• Family-owned and operated for over 30 years

• Stories, history, and wildlife knowledge you won’t find in a guidebook

• Deep connection to the people, places, and environment of the Bay

Peaceful & Personal

Our location means fewer crowds and more connection.

• Golden Bay’s beaches are quieter than the southern Abel Tasman

• A chance to see the coast as it really is — calm, natural, unhurried

• Experiences shaped for families, couples, honeymooners, or adventurers

Flexible Adventures

There’s no one-size-fits-all here — choose the journey that suits you.

• 2-hour guided tours, half-day and bespoke private trips

• Independent rentals, sit-on-top kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards

• Multi-day expeditions for those who want to go further

Why It Matters

Choosing Golden Bay Kayaks means more than just hiring a boat. It means joining a family business that values safety, care for the environment, and creating memories that last long after you’ve left the beach.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need kayaking experience? If you haven’t kayaked before we strongly encourage you to join one of our Guided Tours. With this activity you will have safety instruction and a guide with you the whole time to help you have a great experience on the water.

I can’t swim!: That’s OK, there is no prerequisite to be able to swim, you will be kayaking on top of the water and there is no need to swim.

What should I bring? Bring with you a bottle of water, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Your feet will get wet, so bring shoes that you don’t mind getting wet or bare feet. If the weather is cooler or it looks like rain, bring a jacket or something warm to pop on. We do have paddle jackets available if you don’t have one.

What if the weather is bad? The wind being strong is what causes us to cancel the trip, we will do our best to keep in touch with you to let you know via email. Hopefully you can come another day and we will transfer your booking to another day and if you can’t we will refund the booking, minus a small booking fee.

Can children come? Yes, absolutely. We love having kids on the water with us, the Family Focused Tour is the best one to choose.

How many people are on a tour? The ratio is 1 guide to 8 clients. If you would like to have that special experience all to yourselves please book our Bespoke Eco Private Guided Tour

What sort of boats? Our boats are doubles and we have singles for odd numbered groups. We don’t have many singles in our fleet and these boats are used by our guides.

“The best part of our New Zealand trip.” ★★★★★