Kayak and Evening Tour Combo

Start with a ride over to Pōhatu 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 Pōhatu marine reserve resident wildlife.

Explore the bay with 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. And just before night fall, we may get lucky and see some 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.