• Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award

Your Gold Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous journey is last adventurous journey step. Auckland Sea Kayaks has set up our program to maximize your expedition on this last journey. 

Gold Training and Practice 

This journey is set up so you can have the skills to plan, prepare and then lead your own adventurous journey. This journey covers but is not limited to navigation, weather interpretation, safety management, on-water group management and leadership skills, nutrition, and the principles of Leave No Trace. 

After completing this journey you will have the required skills and knowledge to successfully plan, prepare and execute your Gold Qualifying Journey. All students are required to attend  an online planning and preparation meeting held two weeks before the departure of your journey.  

 

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Tour Cost

Cost

from $295 NZD per person plus booking fee. Minimum numbers required. 

Duration

Duration

2 days, 1 nights

Start location

Start Location

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Gold Qualifying

This journey is yours. You have worked hard, learnt a lot and know you can put it all together to make the ultimate Duke of Edinburgh adventurous journey.  

Gold Qualifying is the pinnacle of your Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey. These expeditions are planned by you, can take place anywhere within the boundaries of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, and are supported by our instructors and guides. Their expert coaching helps you realise your full potential in leadership roles on the water and ensure upon completion that you have covered all of the elements required. 

Students can take this opportunity to explore unfamiliar areas, safely push their kayaking skills to limits and end their Duke of Edinburgh Journey on a high! You can join one of our public journeys or if you have a group we can book a private date for your team. 

Note: Students are required to complete an online Preparation and Training session held two weeks before departure. 

 

Book Now  Contact Us

Tour Cost

Cost

$595 NZD per person. Minimum numbers required. 

Duration

Duration

4 days, 3 nights 

Start location

Start Location

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park 

Gold Training, Practice & Qualyfing

This journey is the total package. All you need to complete your GOLD adventurous journey.

Gold is the pinnacle of your Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journey. These expeditions are planned by you, can take place anywhere within the boundaries of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park, and are supported by our instructors and guides. Their expert coaching helps you realise your full potential in leadership roles on the water and ensure upon completion that you have covered all of the elements required. 

Students can take this opportunity to explore unfamiliar areas, safely push their kayaking skills to limits and end their Duke of Edinburgh Journey on a high! You can join one of our public journeys or if you have a group we can book a private date for your team. 

Note: Students are required to complete an online Preparation and Training session held two weeks before departure. 

 

Book Now  Contact Us

Tour Cost

Cost

$745 NZD per person. Minimum numbers required. 

Duration

Duration

5 days, 4 nights 

Start location

Start Location

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park 

Training, Practice and Qualifying Combined / Sail & Kayak

We have partnered with the NZ Sailing Trust to deliver a combined kayaking and sailing expedition for the adventurous journey award. This journey qualifies for Gold Practice, Gold Qualifying Journey or Gold Residential. 

The first two nights will be spent on the water with Auckland Sea Kayaks, where students will learn how to kayak and camp in a safe, fun and supportive environment.. The following two nights will be spent sailing on either Lion New Zealand, or Steinlager 2. Everybody on board will have the opportunity to learn to sail the boats, help with the preparation of meals and sleep aboard. 

Note: Students are required to complete an online Preparation and Training session held two weeks before departure. 

 

Book Now  Contact Us

Tour Cost

Cost

$1275 incl GST for 5 days + booking fee 

Duration

Duration

5 days 4 nights (2 night on boat, 2 nights camping) 

Start location

Start Location

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park 

Gold Residential Project  

Our Sail and Kayak Gold Residential Project in partnership with the NZ Sailing trust is New Zealand’s premier Gold Residential Projects.  

At the heart of the Gold Residential  Project is the undertaking of a purposeful experience with people who are not your usual companions, working towards a common goal. Adding to this, you are also outside your usual place of residence, often in an unfamiliar environment with unfamiliar people. It is hoped that the Gold Project rewards you with a sense of personal achievement, enhanced social connections with new and interesting people, and a truly life changing experience. 

  • Be at least 16 years of age, with no exceptions. 
  • Undertake shared purposeful activity which provides opportunities for broadening your interests and experience. 
  • Reside away from your usual place of residence for a total period of no less than five days and four nights. 
  • Be in the company of others who are, in the majority, not your usual companions. 

 

Book Now  Contact Us 

Tour Cost

Cost

$1275 per person plus booking fee 

Duration

Duration

5 days 4 nights (2 night on boat, 2 nights camping) 

Start location

Start Location

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park 

Faqs

  • Are there any biosecurity restrictions?

    Yes there is. Please help us keep Hauraki Gulf islands pest free. The Hauraki Gulf provides a haven for some of our most endangered animals and plants, including sea birds, tuatara and takahē.

    Restrictions

    Check your gear and help keep our islands pest-free. To keep these islands pest free. See what you need to do before joining Auckland Sea Kayaks on our trip please go to www.treasureislands.co.nz

    When visiting pest free islands, or islands that are becoming pest-free, make sure you check your gear before you leave the mainland.

    Protect our wildlife

    Check – your gear for pests such as rodents and insects

    Clean – footwear and gear, removing soil and seeds

    Close – ensure your gear is zipped up (no open bags)

    When you arrive on a pest-free island, you may be met by rangers to recheck your gear.

What you need to bring

This tour is fully catered so please inform us if you have any dietary requirements.

What is provided?
We kit you out with all the specialist paddling gear including buoyancy aid, spray skirt, spray jacket, thermals and a dry bag for your camera. This tour is fully catered so please advise us of any dietary requirements. Kayaking is a water sport and you will get a little wet while kayaking.

What to bring?

  • Camera
  • Water bottle
  • Sun protection
  • T-shirt (No Cotton)
  • Shorts or leggings to kayak in (No Cotton).
  • Sun glasses and hat
  • Sport shoes or hiking sandals such as Chaco’s. Flip-flops, jandals and
    slip on shoes are not suitable.
  • Warm top
  • Medication

Auckland Sea Kayaks
384 Tamaki Drive
St Heliers
Auckland 1071
New Zealand
View on Google Maps

Tour Start Location

These courses start from the St Heliers Bay central boat ramp located at 384 Tamaki Drive, St Heliers. There is lots of free car parking around St Heliers.

Meeting point
St Heliers Bay boat ramp
(Tamaki Drive, St Heliers, Auckland)
– Get Directions

OUR PARTNERS

#aucklandseakayaks

For our tinier Auckland Sea Kayaks whanau | here's an epic colouring in sheet to celebrate Te Ika o te Tau - Fish of the Year competition! Complete this comp and be in to win some amazing prizes including:
- A sunset kayak to Rangitoto for two 
- An eDNA kit or eRangers card game kindly donated by Wilderlab 
- A family pass aboard Perfect Day (NTL) kindly donated by @divetutukaka 
- A mask and snorkel kindly donated by @wettie.spearfishing 
- One of two Marine Invaders card games kindly donated by Marine Invaders 
- A Doon River Fishy Pin kindly donated by @doonriver 
- An @emr_nz  goodie bag, and more!

Tag us and EMR so we can see your masterpieces  #teikaotetau2024 😎
Chloe and Bennett have been going hard at @vectorwero practicing their white water skills. Epic to see their continual progression!
Vote for Fish of the Year! 

This year, we're championing the Anchovy—did you know they're the eco-warriors fighting climate change in the Hauraki Gulf and beyond? By gobbling carbon and helping regulate oceanic climates, anchovies are the carbon-crushing champions we didn't know we needed. Saving the planet never looked so good! Vote here: https://www.mountainstosea.org.nz/fish #FOTY @emr_nz @waihekemarineproject
Auckland Sea Kayaks is pleased to be supporting the annual Fish of the Year | Te Ika o Te Tau competition with our friends @emr_nz  and @waihekemarineproject

Our fish for this year is the humble Anchovy - while small and nimble like a sea kayak, they play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by acting as a primary food source for larger marine-life and seabirds. 

Celebrate the biodiversity of the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and cast your vote at www.mountainstosea.org.nz/fish
Maclean's College year 12 outdoor education class doing safety and kayak skills before their multi-day trip in a few weeks. #outdooreducation #EOTC
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