Best places to visit in New Zealand for water lovers: A local’s guide
Taking the plunge into the crystal clear (and freezing!) glacial Blue Pools near Wānaka.
Aotearoa New Zealand is an adventure lover’s dream: white water rafting, hiking galore, rugged coastlines and more. And if you’re here for the best places to visit in New Zealand, but being a water lover is also your full personality, this blog post is for you.
This is basically my ultimate New Zealand water-lover bucket list. Some I've done, some I know and love, and some I'm desperate to experience.
Personally, I LOVE the iconic New Zealand scenery, from dramatic mountainous landscapes to dreamy rolling waves. And I love photographing it too. But there’s something I’ve realised recently that I need when I’m travelling, and actually also just in daily life to fill my cup! And that’s total immersion. Which means doing rad activities where I can connect with nature… especially water activities. If you hadn’t realised already, I’m obsessed.
Why water activities in New Zealand?
New Zealand is literally a nation of islands, sitting in the corner of the wild South Pacific, far removed from almost anywhere else. Made up of two main islands (and hundreds of smaller ones), we’re surrounded by ocean, with water woven through the landscape too. Rivers carve their way from the mountains towards the sea, lakes fill ancient volcanic craters and glacial valleys, and thousands of kilometres of coastline range from wild black-sand beaches to sheltered turquoise bays.
Not to mention, there’s something totally energising about water. I could immerse myself in the ocean daily and never tire of it. It’s where I feel creative and inspired. But I also love rivers and lakes! Inland is where I feel grounded and cleansed. And the energy of each feels completely different. The ocean is energy moving towards the land, rivers carve through the land sea-bound, and lakes hold still amongst it all.
When I travel here in New Zealand, I gravitate towards activities where I get to experience this wonderful place through water-based adventures. And New Zealand offers so many unique landscapes and experiences, you could spend two weeks on a water lover’s adventure around New Zealand and come away feeling like every single adventure was completely different.
Volcanic black sand beaches, glowworm caves, whales, wild rivers, turquoise lakes and some of the clearest water you’ll ever see... they’re all waiting for you on your water adventures in New Zealand.
Plan your New Zealand water adventures
Jump straight to the part you need:
Looking for activities at a glance? Check out my curated collection on Viator here
1. Explore the Aldermen Islands by boat, Coromandel
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
Sitting offshore from the Coromandel Peninsula, the Aldermen Islands are one of those places that make you realise just how wild New Zealand's coastline can be. Head out by boat to explore the rocky coastline and clear Pacific water, with opportunities to swim, snorkel and soak up as much salty air as you can handle.
This is my fave boat trip to the Aldermen Islands, run by two locals!
2. Take a dolphin-watching tour, Tauranga
Dolphins spotted offshore during a dolphin-watching trip from Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty.
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
The Bay of Plenty coastline is one of my favourite places to get out on the water, and dolphin-watching trips leave directly from Tauranga. Spend a few hours cruising offshore looking for wild dolphins and other marine life, with views back towards Mauao and the coastline as you go. I personally love learning about the Bay of Plenty marine life and underwater topography of the region, it’s really fascinating!
3. Boat, hike and paddle to Whenuakura / Donut Island, Coromandel
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
Offshore from Whangamata, Whenuakura - often called Donut Island - hides an incredible turquoise lagoon inside its volcanic rock walls. Access is restricted and conditions matter, so visit with an approved local operator and paddle through the narrow entrance into one of the Coromandel's most unusual natural spaces.
4. Go surfing in New Zealand, Raglan or Mount Maunganui
Surfing at Mount Maunganui, one of my favourite ways to get in the water at home.
Rating: 💧 I want to get wet
I can't write about water experiences in New Zealand without including surfing! Raglan is famous for its long left-hand point breaks and laid back surf culture, while Mount Maunganui is a great place to learn when conditions are friendly. Even if you don't surf, watching a big swell wrap around Raglan's points at sunset is worth the trip regardless.
If you want to learn to surf in Mount Maunganui, this one is a great option.
5. Kayak Lake McLaren, Bay of Plenty
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
Lake McLaren offers a calmer kayaking experience than heading out onto the open ocean, surrounded by bush and tranquil freshwater. You can paddle during the day or join an evening kayak tour into the glowworm canyon, where the experience gets even more magical after dark.
Want to paddle Lake McLaren? See kayaking tour at Lake McLaren here.
6. Go black-water rafting beneath the Waitomo Caves
Rating: 💧💧💧 Give me adrenaline
For a completely different kind of New Zealand water adventure, head underground at Waitomo. Black-water rafting involves floating, scrambling and tubing your way through an underground cave system beneath thousands of glowworms, combining one of New Zealand's most famous natural attractions with a proper adventure.
If you’re ready to head underground for a unique and adventurous way to experience these infamous caves, explore black-water rafting adventures in Waitomo.
7. Sail the Bay of Islands
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
With sheltered bays, islands and beautiful beaches scattered across the water, the Bay of Islands is made for exploring by boat. Spend a day sailing between islands, stopping to swim and snorkel along the way, and experience a completely different side of Northland from the water.
From half-day sailing trips to full-day private charters, find your Bay of Islands adventure here.
8. Go whale watching in Kaikōura
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
Kaikōura is one of New Zealand's great wildlife destinations, with deep ocean sitting close to a coastline backed by mountains. Head offshore on a whale-watching trip to search for sperm whales and other marine life, while getting one of the country's most spectacular mountain-meets-the-sea views.
Want to get out on the water in Kaikōura? Browse whale-watching tours in Kaikōura.
9. Go diving or snorkelling at the Poor Knights Islands
Rating: 💧💧💧 Give me adrenaline
The Poor Knights Islands are one of the places I love to explore underwater in New Zealand. The marine reserve off the coast of Northland is known for clear water, dramatic underwater arches and caves, and abundant marine life, making Poor Knights diving and snorkelling one of the country's standout underwater experiences. You can dive or snorkel there depending on your preferences!
Want to dive in the Poor Knights? Book here.
10. Swim in the Blue Pools near Wānaka
Don't let that dreamy turquoise water fool you. It is COLD.
Rating: 💧 I want to get wet
Just over an hour from Wānaka on the road towards the West Coast, the Blue Pools are filled with ridiculously clear, turquoise glacial water surrounded by native beech forest. The walk to the pools is short and easy, and if you’re feeling brave you can get in for a swim, but don’t be deceived by that dreamy blue water. It is COLD. Oh and bring a really good bug spray to keep the sandflies at bay… seriously!
11. Go white water rafting on the Kaituna River, Rotorua
Rating: 💧💧💧 Give me adrenaline
If white water rafting in New Zealand is on your bucket list, Rotorua is a pretty spectacular place to do it. The Kaituna River's Grade 5 Ōkere section includes rapids, native forest and three waterfalls, including the seven-metre Tutea Falls, described by local tourism operators as the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall.
12. Go kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
Abel Tasman's golden beaches and clear turquoise water make kayaking one of the best ways to experience the national park. You can paddle between coves, lagoons and offshore islands, or combine kayaking with sections of the Abel Tasman Coast Track if you want to experience the park from both land and water.
Abel Tasman National Park is considered one of New Zealand’s great walks, but you can spend one day kayaking and hiking in the region! Check out the tour here.
13. Cruise or kayak Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
Milford Sound / Piopiotahi is one of those iconic New Zealand landscapes and well-known as one of the best places to visit in New Zealand. I still haven't experienced myself, but seeing it from the water is firmly on my list. Cruise or kayak beneath enormous mountains and waterfalls in the heart of Fiordland, where being at water level gives you a sense of just how huge the landscape really is.
14. Kayak to the Māori rock carvings on Lake Taupō
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
Head out onto Lake Taupō by kayak to see the enormous Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay from the water. The carvings are only accessible by boat, so kayaking gives you a slower, more immersive way to explore the lake and get right up close to one of its most recognisable sights.
Want to see the carvings for yourself? See Māori rock carving tours on Lake Taupō.
15. Explore Cathedral Cove by kayak or boat, Coromandel
Rating: 💧💧 Give me a fun afternoon
Cathedral Cove is one of the Coromandel's most recognisable coastal landscapes, but seeing it from the water gives you a completely different perspective. Kayak or take a boat along the coastline, passing sea caves, cliffs and clear water before reaching the famous natural arch and beach.
16. Go packrafting in the South Island
Rating: 💧💧💧💧 I WANT AN EXPEDITION
Packrafting sits somewhere between kayaking and rafting, and this trip takes you down the Matukituki River, surrounded by the mountains, hanging glaciers and waterfalls of Mount Aspiring National Park. You're properly out in the landscape and on the water, but the river is gentle enough here that beginners can do it with a guide. Unless you’re an experienced packrafter in New Zealand, you’ll definitely need to do this on an organized trip.
The full-day trip I’d recommend starts with a journey through the Matukituki Valley before you get onto the river, paddling through gentle wave trains, eddies and super clear turquoise pools. Apparently you can even jump in for a swim (which obviously I would be doing!)
Want something a little wilder? Explore packrafting adventure near Wānaka.
17. Canoe the Whanganui River
Rating: 💧💧💧💧 I WANT AN EXPEDITION
This is actually one of New Zealand’s Great Walks… believe it or not! And this one is for the absolute adventure frothers. It’s a four-day, three-night adventure, so you’ll need to be well equipped with camping gear, food etc. Basically, this is self-guided, so not something to just book on a whim. But I’m sure there are some serious water lovers reading this, so this one’s for you!
This one is such a different way to experience New Zealand. The photos I have don’t even do it justice. As you glide down the river, you’re surrounded by lush New Zealand bush, and you can even stop for a forest walk on one of the days. I distinctly remember the smell of the air in that forest being the freshest I’ve ever smelled! The full Whanganui Journey is a 145 km canoe trip through remote native bush and deep river valleys, although shorter versions are possible too, including the popular three-day journey from Whakahoro to Pipiriki.
18. Go wild swimming in the Kai Iwi Lakes
I did a freediving course at Kai Iwi lakes with this awesome bunch of women at Salt Aotearoa. Photo: Amber Jones
Rating: 💧 I want to get wet
Not every incredible water experience in New Zealand requires a tour. The Kai Iwi Lakes in Northland are ridiculously clear freshwater dune lakes, so sometimes the activity really can be as simple as finding a beautiful spot, putting your swimmers on and getting in the water
Ready to book your dream water excursions in New Zealand? Check out my curated collection on Viator here
Map of the best places to visit in New Zealand for water lovers
You can find everywhere in this blog shown on the map below, colour co-ordinated with a turquoise blue loveheart for easy reference and planning depending how much time you have for exploring the best water activities in New Zealand.
FAQs about water activities in New Zealand
What are the best water activities in New Zealand?
Some of the best water activities in New Zealand include kayaking, surfing, white water rafting, sailing, diving, snorkelling, wild swimming and wildlife-watching trips. For some truly iconic experiences, I'd look at kayaking Abel Tasman, rafting the Kaituna River in Rotorua, surfing in Raglan, diving the Poor Knights Islands and getting out on the water in Milford Sound / Piopiotahi.
Where are the best places for water lovers in New Zealand?
For ocean lovers, I'd prioritise the Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Raglan, Northland, Abel Tasman and Kaikōura. Rotorua and Taupō are brilliant for freshwater adventures, while Fiordland and the South Island offer some of New Zealand's wildest water experiences.
Where can you go wild swimming in New Zealand?
New Zealand has plenty of places to swim outdoors, from beaches and freshwater lakes to rivers and swimming holes. The Kai Iwi Lakes are one of my picks for ridiculously clear freshwater, while you'll also find beautiful swimming spots throughout the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and around New Zealand's lakes. Always check local conditions and safety advice before getting in, particularly around rivers and remote beaches.
What are the best water activities in New Zealand's North Island?
The North Island is brilliant for surfing in Raglan and Mount Maunganui, kayaking Lake McLaren and Lake Taupō, black-water rafting at Waitomo, white water rafting near Rotorua, diving the Poor Knights Islands and exploring the Coromandel by boat or kayak. You can also sail the Bay of Islands or simply find somewhere beautiful for a swim.
What are the best water activities in New Zealand's South Island?
Some of the South Island's most iconic water experiences include kayaking Abel Tasman National Park, whale watching in Kaikōura, cruising or kayaking Milford Sound / Piopiotahi and exploring Rakiura / Stewart Island from the water. If you're looking for something more adventurous, there are also rafting and packrafting experiences throughout the South Island.
Can you swim with dolphins in New Zealand?
There are opportunities to encounter dolphins around New Zealand, but regulations around swimming with wild dolphins vary by species and location and have changed over time to protect the animals. If swimming with dolphins is important to you, check the current rules and choose a permitted wildlife operator rather than assuming every dolphin-watching tour allows swimming.
What is the best time of year for water activities in New Zealand?
Summer, from December to February, generally offers warmer weather and water temperatures for swimming, kayaking and beach days, but New Zealand's water adventures aren't limited to summer. Winter can bring impressive surf, while activities such as rafting, wildlife watching and cruising can operate at different times throughout the year. Always check local conditions and seasonal operator schedules before planning around a specific activity.
Where can I book water activities in New Zealand?
You can browse and book experiences through the New Zealand water activities collection on Viator.
And now I want to know: which of these places is going straight onto your New Zealand itinerary? Tell me in the comments.
Bookmark this guide for your New Zealand road trip so you can come back to it when you start planning the route.