Christmas Day Kayaking
Join us for a Kiwi Christmas Day kayak adventure with your friends or family and make some memories of a lifetime. There is no better way to celebrate your Christmas holiday by paddling around the Kaikōura Coastline with your elves (guides).
Christmas Day
Adults
$190.NZD
Child
$190.NZD
Bookings are essential and seats are limited!
BOOK NOW OR BUY GIFT CARDTour Overview
Start your journey by trying to spot the Christmas trees around Kaikōura (the Pōhutukawa is the Kiwis own special Christmas tree). It can grow to be a very large tree and has bright red flowers which are popular decorations and feature on Christmas cards. It has been associated with Christmas since the mid-1800s. The Pōhutukawa is also important in Maōri culture.
Then Experience the excitement of watching Fur Seals ducking, weaving and diving around your kayak. Paddle gently along with them as they swim around the Kaikoura Peninsula hunting for their favourite feed of Octopus (Christmas dinner).
This adventure will continue around the beautiful coastal waters takes in the breath-taking views of sheer cliff faces, craggy rocks and mountain ranges while searching for chance encounters with Dusky Dolphins and Blue Penguins.
This fun tour is suitable for all ages and abilities while operating year-round and doesn't require any previous kayaking experience.
Most attractions in Kaikōura are closed on the 25th of December so we are delighted to be able to offer you two tour options.
In any adventure activity, there is an element of risk involved, view risks in undertaking this activity here.
Christmas Day Special
Open Season:
Prior Experience:
none required
Duration:
3 hours (1.5 - 2 hrs paddling time)
Age:
Child 3 - 12yrs ~ Adults 13yrs +
Highlights
- Top Activity in Kaikōura - TripAdvisor Traveller Rating 2025
- Spend the morning with the marine life instead of the Turkey.
- Get out from under the tree and onto the beautiful Kaikōura Coast
Christmas Kayaking
3 hours
Limited Seats!
8:30am
12:30pm
Christmas Day
Adults
$190.NZD
Child
$190.NZD
Bookings are essential and seats are limited!
BOOK NOW OR BUY GIFT CARDChristmas Day
Adults
$190.NZD
Child
$190.NZD
Bookings are essential and seats are limited!
BOOK NOW OR BUY GIFT CARDWhat our customers have to say
Truly amazing experience! We had a lot of luck with the weather and animal encounters, we saw a small whale and loads of seals. Staff were super friendly and it was much fun. Would definitely recommend
Serafin K, Europe
I’d like to say thanks for a great day today. The guides were excellent setting up the day and introducing everyone. They’re very organized. The equipment was of a great standard and the day was brilliant. The weather was good and we saw well over 100 dolphins, and even seals and birds local to the area. All in all we had a great...
Emma H, Canada
Marine mammal megamix Spent a truly incredible morning around the Kaikōura Peninsula with Matt and Emma, two fantastic local guides. The whole operation was very professional, with high quality kayaks, equipment and a detailed safety briefing. Spent a good amount of time observing the seals, tried our hand at some kayak surfing in the big...
Tom, Neverlands
We loved our trip with Kaikoura kayaks. We took our whole family and the kids aged 9,12 and 14 really enjoyed paddling on the water and getting up close to the seals on the rocks. The guides were really informative and friendly. The safety briefing meant us parents felt comfortable with our kids out on the water. We would highly recommend!
Erin, Australia
We had a great time kayaking with this outfit. The guides were professional and trained us well before we got into the water. We saw loads of fur seals as well as albatross. It was a wonderful experience that I highly recommend.
Marcella R, USA
We had an amazing time with our guide Loz, gave us some really cold facts about all the wildlife around! He had a wealth of knowledge and even managed to bring us to some Dusky dolphins!!
Emma R, Ireland
"To Matt and the Kaikōura Kayaks team, Thank you very much for a fantastic day of kayaking. Both our trips were very well organised by your friendly team. We found your lessons enjoyable, helping us all to be confident, expert paddlers! We were so lucky to have a beautiful sunny day, and we enjoyed fantastic scenery and wildlife out...
Kowhai Class, Hurunui College NZ
The experience of a lifetime! Having intuitive and professional guides who allowed us the opportunity to experience an outstanding and very memorable day. They knew just where the incredible action was happening. We saw an amazing array of dolphins playing right near us and also saw blue penguins and seals. We travelled for two weeks around...
Paula Kirby, Wellinton NZ
We were soooo lucky - perfect sunshine, calm water and 300 dolphins! But it wasn't just luck: Kaikoura Kayaks were also superbly organised, friendly, safe, encouraging and a LOT of fun. Thank you!
Lucy M, UK