2-Hour Waikato River Guided Kayak Trip from Taupo
Overview
2 hours
Mobile ticket
One of Taupō’s best kept secrets… the sheer beauty and tranquillity found on the crystal-clear waters of the Waikato River will take your breath away. Begin your kayaking journey at the source of NZ’s largest river and drift past various islands, nature reserves, swimming spots, the drop zone of Taupō Bungy before swimming or soaking your feet in warm geothermal pools enroute. This is an extremely scenic, guided tour that is perfect for beginners, families, couples, and friends.
The tour is approx. 1.15 hrs on the water (2hrs return trip including transport) depending on group size and river flow. We start & finish at the store (54 Spa Rd, Taupo), then transport you to and from the river. A 5 minute walk from the store to the river may be required.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
All children must be accompanied by an adult
Children under the age of 12 must have a 1:1 ratio with an adult.
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Operates all year, please dress appropriately for the seasons - NO JEANS/DENIM
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Kayaking down the beautiful Waikato River, soak your feet in the warm natural geothermal hot pools, pass islands, natural reserves and underneath the Taupo Bungy and Extreme Swing. Please note that a minimum of four bookings are required for a tour to proceed, contact us directly for single bookings. Age limit 4-80.
What‘s Included
Professional guide
All equipment
Lunch
Options
9am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm Departure
9am, 12pm, 2pm, 3pm Departure : One of Taupo's best kept secrets... The sheer beauty and tranquility found on the crystal clear waters of the Waikato River will take your breath away. Begin your kayaking journey at the source of NZ
Reviews
162 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great fun!
Michael C,,Jan 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Relaxing row along a beautiful lazy river with a friendly knowledgable guide. Me and my wife took the early session which ended up being essentially a private tour. Eloise was lovely and shared some interesting facts and took photos for us.
Family Adventure
MarcW1467,,Jan 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved it. Check in and transfer to lake very easy and collection was done at the other end. Great staff and tour guide. Felt right at home and my little boy and wife loved it.
Highlight of our Taupō trip!
Ambassador696212,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience we (my daughter and myself) didn't't want to hop out. Great for young children who have no or minimum experience too! Loved that the kayak is see through too. And we stopped for a swim too. We will definitely do it again. Thanks team!
Photos not sent
563mabell,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00The kayak trip itself was great, we really wanted to give 5 star review. Unfortunately, after 3 weeks, multiple phone calls and email, our guide still wouldn’t send us our photos. (We were advised not to bring it in case it gets wet) It shouldn’t be hard at all so it shows poor professionalism and attitude towards clients (staff over the phone were apologetic but let down by colleague). We will always have memory of the trip but at least one photo of the family with the picturesque backdrop would be nice.
Kayaking 2hour 12pm 5th Jan'2026
Mancinni P,,Jan 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Connor was an amazing tour guide. The whole experience was awesome as it's relaxing, soothing and the lake is superb. It is our first time to do kayaking and it is worth it. Highly recommended.
Relaxing float down the Waikato
Quest18157653539,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a beautiful and relaxing float down the amazing Waikato river. The water is perfectly clear and the kayaking is effortless. Elouise was a brilliant guide.
Great activity with kids
rebekahm997,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved this tour. First time tour for me & I took my 5 year old as well. It was her first time on a kayak & she really enjoyed her time. It was a beautiful relaxing paddle/float down the River with our guide Eloise who was friendly and amazing. We enjoyed the stop off point & as a whole was well worth it while in Taupō
Worth doing
Trip36733488133,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eloise was a fab guide ❤️ thank you. Knowledgeable, friendly and very patient. Would absolutely recommend and do again Cost was very reasonable Beautiful views
Disappointed
Culture23485879863,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Canoe & Kayak on arrival were not at all engaged & hardly interacted regarding our trip. On arrival we gave our emails as they were going to take photos, which we have never received, very disappointed as have no memory and we’re advised we couldn’t take our own phones to take pictures. The river was great but our guide never asked if anyone had kayaked before, gave very little advice on how to kayak or what to expect on the journey, the quick guide on how to use the paddle was which was the front and the back. During the trip he didn’t advise which side of the river you needed to be which would have helped. Spent at least 10 mins on the side of the bank waiting to see a bungee jump, were asked if we wanted to swim and if wanted to jump into the water. Everyone answered No as we had booked a kayak trip!! The guide could have spent some time to help improve our skills and interact with us on paddling tips. The biggest help would have been to let us all know that the trip was one way as we were worried about when we needed to turn back. Canoe and Kayak had no people skills and wouldn’t recommend them but the river was great and they could easily make the experience better.
Kayaking and bunjee jump watching
DayTrip555349,,Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a wonderfull tour with amazing guides. Great nature, we also saw a bungee jumping tower above us and watched the action there.
From NZ$90.00
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Operated by Canoe and Kayak Taupo