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Lake Mapourika Kayak Tour: Scenic Glacier Views
4.9
372 Ratings
Franz Josef / Waiau
Embark on a small-group kayak adventure near Franz Josef Glacier. Discover the stunning Lake Mapourika, surrounded by the Southern Alps and Glaciers, and explore a kiwi sanctuary in the pristine rainforest.
Embark on a small-group kayak adventure near Franz Josef Glacier. Discover the stunning Lake Mapourika, surrounded by the Southern Alps and Glaciers, and explore a kiwi sanctuary in the pristine rainforest.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Lake Mapourika - Paddle across the stunning waters of Lake Mapourika with your knowledgeable local guide. Take in views of the glaciers and Southern Alps as you paddle across and explore the rainforest and conservation area on the far shoreline of lake.
- Lake Mapourika - Paddle across the stunning waters of Lake Mapourika with your knowledgeable local guide. Take in views of the glaciers and Southern Alps as you paddle across and explore the rainforest and conservation area on the far shoreline of lake.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Fully Guided Activity
- Courtesy pick-ups available on request
- Courtesy Transport to and from the Lake
- High Quality Photos
- All equipment provided including dry bags, splash jackets and gloves and hats in the winter
- Private transportation
- Fully Guided Activity
- Courtesy pick-ups available on request
- Courtesy Transport to and from the Lake
- High Quality Photos
- All equipment provided including dry bags, splash jackets and gloves and hats in the winter
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Food and drinks, unless specified
- Lunch
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional Information
A unique kayak adventure, only minutes from Franz Josef Glacier! Set out across Lake Mapourika’s mirror-like water and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Southern Alps and Glaciers.
Lake Mapourika was created by the mighty Franz Josef Glacier as it retreated some 14 000 years ago, now it sits sandwiched between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea….
A unique kayak adventure, only minutes from Franz Josef Glacier! Set out across Lake Mapourika’s mirror-like water and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding Southern Alps and Glaciers.
Lake Mapourika was created by the mighty Franz Josef Glacier as it retreated some 14 000 years ago, now it sits sandwiched between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea. The glassy water and unbeatable views make it one of the scenic gems of the West Coast.
Explore a kiwi sanctuary set amidst some of the oldest untouched rainforest in Westland!
This tour lasts up to three hours and is designed to complete your Glacier Country Experience!
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Location
30 Main Road
Main Road
Please check-in at our office 15 minutes prior to your trip departure time. We are located in the building next to The Landing Restaurant.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(372 Ratings)
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Adventure597653
Jul 19, 2025
Magical trip through the mist - My family and I had a spectacular morning kayak tour of the lake with the entertaining and humorous guidance of Max. No-one else was on the lake when we did the tour, and the sun glowing through the morning fog made it a magical and serene experience on the water. As the fog burned-off we got to go into the narrow area that feeds the lake and see the mostly unspoiled-by-man plants and bird life. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Goplaces35514867102
Jun 16, 2025
EPIC - We had an awesome time kayaking with Franz Josef Wilderness Tours! The whole experience was so much fun, even though it was a bit challenging for us since we hadn’t kayaked in a while. But Max, our guide, was an absolute legend! He was super friendly, patient, and made the whole tour enjoyable and easy to follow. Max kept the vibes chilled and fun the entire time, and made sure we were safe while still having a laugh. The scenery was absolutely stunning, and paddling through the peaceful waters surrounded by the mountains and rainforest was unreal. Highly recommend this tour — especially if you get Max as your guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarahfabienneh2025
May 7, 2025
Great experience - It was great! We were really lucky with the weather. To hear about the rainforest was also really interesting. I would love to do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jenju270ox
Apr 29, 2025
High quality tour - a definite highlight from my time in New Zealand - My tour companions and I had a great morning and I would highly recommend Franz Josef Wilderness Tours. The kayaking tour was fun with good equipment provided - tandem kayaks with rudder, lifejacket, spray jacket and skirt. The hike was really enjoyable and Dale provided great commentary and demonstrated a real passion for the area and its wildlife. One of my favourite parts of this tour was that Dale took photos for us both on the water and during the hike which meant we had high quality images to share afterwards. Plus this was included in the overall price and delivered less than 24 hours after our tour - a real bonus.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maryjo_m
Apr 28, 2025
Kayak - Great experience. We had a slight drizzle initially but then that cleared. The kayaks were great and the visit to the forest was wonderful. Great guide.
Review provided by Viator
Terenceo490
Apr 25, 2025
Kayak and Hike is a treat! - Franz Josef Wilderness Tours was pure magic—kayaking through mirror-still waters then walking deep into lush rainforest felt like stepping into another world. Kurt was a top-tier guide, packed with knowledge and good vibes the whole way. Super well run, super scenic, and seriously worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T0vay
Apr 1, 2025
Worthwhile adventure - Was a very fun afternoon activity The kayaking was a little difficult if you are not an experienced kayaker but the guides. Ollie and Kurt were extremely helpful I actually shared a kayak with one of the guides, Ollie, who was very informative and funny We saw a lot of birds and foliage and were told about it all The scenery, like everything in New Zealand , was stunning Was a great activity!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Luciet497
Mar 30, 2025
A different way to experience the beauty of New Zealand - The views were spectacular! The tour was well designed and well paced. Our two guides were very friendly and knowledgeable, and took lots of photos for our group. It was an amazing experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jamanda999
Mar 20, 2025
Beautiful kayak trip - Fabulous kayak paddle. Totally atmospheric and misty on the way out and sunny and gorgeous on the way back. Appreciated the cup of tea on the island and the great guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mambostonsf
Apr 13, 2025
Weather is in the eye of the beholder. - Just a suggestion for future travelers thinking this is the experience to do. Think about it. I knew it could be rainy in Franz Josef via weather app and contacted tour operator a few days before trip. He noted that rather it could be cloudy w/ some light rain. I decided to risk it as I wanted to go and their website said the trip required “good weather” to operate.
As shared in the photos, this was an extremely rainy time that the tour would take place. I went to the operator’s office to say I did not want to go in this weather and was informed that I would not get a refund. Person in front of me also said she could not go due to weather. In their view, weather was okay. That my idea of bad weather was not the same as theirs. Bad weather is wind. Their description never mentioned any such thing. I think this is shameful and shared my view w/ agents.
Just think about this tour in this regard as this operator does not explain well. After 8 weeks in Australia and New Zealand, and at least a dozen TA tours, this was my only disappointing experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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