Whale Island (Moutohorā) Guided Kayak Tour

Moutohorā / Whale Island, a wildlife management reserve, is 9km off the coast from Whakatane and it’s a kayaking paradise. We meet at the Whakatane Yacht Club Wharf, close to the i- Site and after a biosecurity check , we welcome you on board the boat, Centaurus, a well appointed sailing catamaran. After a safety briefing from Baz the skipper and with kayaks loaded, we head down the Whakatane River and out on to the ocean for the 45 minute trip to Whale Island. En route we’ll give you a little history of the area and of Whale Island itself and discuss kayak safety. We usually start at the most sheltered corner of the Island and give everyone an opportunity to become accustomed to kayaking on the ocean, before heading off on our tour.

Wildlife encounters, whether NZ fur seals, little blue penguins or gannets plunging into the ocean around us are common and the scenery is always breath taking. When the conditions are right we are able to explore the sea caves on the North West corner, but always we take time to visit the HOT WATER BEACH at Onepu on the south side of the island, where we check out the geothermal activity and toast our toes in the hot sand.

After two hours of paddling, we return to the boat for a hot cuppa (tea, plunger coffee, hot chocolate etc), perhaps a swim and a few yarns from the boat skipper before the return trip to Whakatane. You’ll love it ! We do !