Top South Island Boat Rentals

Self-guided kayak trip with one-way transport—explore Lake Wānaka's shoreline on your own with gear, tips, and a custom route provided. Know what you’re doing and just need the gear? Explore Lake Wanaka on this self-guided kayaking activity! We’ll get you and the gear out to where you start and your Mission is to paddle it all back! Head off with your buddy, partner or group of friends and enjoy a morning of paddling on Lake Wanaka. We’ll arm you with a kayak, safety equipment and a map, get you out on the lake and your mission is to paddle back to Wanaka Township. Paddle the shoreline, explore islands, jump off jetties, or stop for a picnic - it’s your adventure, your way.

Ideal for thrill seekers, this experience lets you take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Experience adrenaline-fueled fun as the jet boat skims the water’s surface at high speed and fishtails into 360-degree spins. Hold on tight as the captain maneuvers the jet boat over rapids and through narrow canyons during one heart-pounding adventure you won’t soon forget.

Rent a kayak for two days so you can explore the Abel Tasman National Park’s coastline at your own pace. Collect your kayak from Mārahau and get a briefing and on-water assessment before setting off independently. Bring your own camping gear and set up camp at a site in the park overnight. Admire the views, spot seals and birds, and stop to swim over two full days.

Enjoy the freedom of paddling at your own pace along the coast with this kayak rental service from Marahau. A minimum of two people can rent kayaks for up to seven hours. Follow the coast of the Abel Tasman National Park, stopping at inviting golden-sand beaches for a picnic and a swim. Look out for seals on off-shore islands and listen to the native birdsong along the way.

Experience heart-racing fun on an exhilarating Queenstown jet-boat ride. The expert captain races across Lake Wakatipu, navigates tricky turns on the Kawarau River, and speeds through the shallow waters of the Shotover River. Grab hold of your seat as the jet boat makes 360-degree spins and fishtails on a rollercoaster ride over the water.

Take a scenic lunch cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a unique perspective of New Zealand high country. Travel round-trip by either vintage steamship or a more modern catamaran and dig into a gourmet barbecue lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead. Enjoy chef-prepared Central Otago specialties accompanied by salads, desserts, and local cheeses. Don’t miss the sheep shearing demonstration or showmanship by the farm’s sheepdogs.

Shoot the rapids on the Shotover River on this half-day tour from Queenstown, a great choice for thrill seekers. Under guide supervision, you'll brave six wild rapids including Aftershock, Squeeze, Toilet, and Pinball, raft through the Oxenbridge Tunnel, and drop into Cascade Rapid. Instruction and all necessary equipment (wetsuit, life jacket, spray jacket, booties, helmet) are included. This trip requires confident swimming, moderate fitness, and participants must weigh between 40 and 120 kg due to safety restrictions.

From Marahau to Totaranui and return – it’s an adventure! Spend three days in the stunning Abel Tasman. The first two days see you kayaking from Marahau through to Onetahuti and then the third walking from Onetahuti to Totaranui before returning back to Marahau on a water taxi.