• Duke of Edinburgh Auckland

    Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award

At Auckland Sea Kayaks, we offer several options for completing your Silver Adventurous Journey, tailored to suit your learning style and time frame.

Our journeys take you through crystal-clear waters, sheltered coastlines, and stunning campsites in one of the world’s best sea kayaking destinations. The Silver Adventurous Journey is the second level of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, typically undertaken after completing the Bronze level.

To complete the Silver Adventurous Journey, students must plan, train, and finish a 3-day, 2-night expedition. We also offer a unique 4-day, 3-night expedition for those wanting to complete their training, practice, and qualifying in one seamless journey.

The locations we visit are pristine, protected sanctuaries, home to endangered species like the New Zealand dotterel, kakariki, and kiwi. Many of these areas are free from pests, providing a unique and rewarding experience for adventurers. Whether you’re kayaking in Mahurangi Regional Park, just north of Auckland, or on one of our Bay of Islands journeys, you’ll have the chance to learn, explore, and grow in a spectacular natural environment.

Silver Practice & Training Journeys

The Silver Training and Practice Journey is the perfect way to build your confidence in sea kayaking and expedition camping. During this adventure, you’ll explore untouched coastlines, develop navigation skills, and learn the 7 principles of Leave No Trace. This journey equips you with the essential outdoor and leadership skills needed for the Qualifying Expedition.

What is it / Where does it go
For many participants, the Silver Training and Practice Journey is their first experience with sea kayaking. To get you prepared, we offer online resources along with an online logistics planning meeting to ensure you’re ready for the adventure ahead. Once on location, you’ll embark on a 2-day, 1-night journey in the Mahurangi Region, with camping at one of our beautiful sites, such as Te Muri, Lagoon Bay, Mitre Bay, or Wenderholm. Here, we’ll teach you the skills you need to successfully complete your qualifying journey.

Book Now  Contact Us

Tour Cost

Cost

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

Duration

Duration

2 days, 1 night

Start location

Start Location

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Qualifying Journeys 

The Silver Qualifying Journey offers a rewarding opportunity to apply the skills you’ve developed during your training and practice. You’ll explore the stunning Mahurangi Regional Park, immersing yourself in its remote beauty. This is your chance to take on leadership roles, demonstrate your ability to complete an independent expedition, and showcase your kayaking, navigation, cooking, and teamwork skills. Known for its kiwi encounters and pristine, sheltered waters, Mahurangi provides the perfect setting for completing your Silver Adventurous Journey.

Note: Students must attend an online planning meeting two weeks before departure.

What is it / Where does it go
After completing your training and practice journey, the Silver Qualifying Journey is your next step. This 3-day, 2-night expedition allows you to build on what you’ve learned, while testing your ability to work as part of a team and lead your peers. You’ll kayak through the beautiful Mahurangi Region, with a night spent at Motuora Island, a special location reserved exclusively for Silver qualifying participants.

Book now to join one of our public journeys, or contact us to book private dates for your group.  

Book Now  Contact Us

Tour Cost

Cost

$445 plus booking fee. Minimum numbers required

Duration

Duration

3 days, 2 nights

Start location

Start Location

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Silver Complete Journey | Kayak Only 

For students seeking an immersive experience, the Complete Silver Adventurous Journey combines all three elements—Training, Practice, and Qualifying—into one exciting 4-day, 3-night expedition.

Spend your days kayaking, camping, and exploring the stunning Mahurangi Region of Auckland, with the highlight of camping overnight at Motuora Island. The first half of the journey focuses on skill development with instructor guidance, while the second half allows students to take on leadership roles and put their newfound skills into practice. Students are required to attend an online planning meeting two weeks before departure.

This all-inclusive journey offers a great opportunity to progress through the key skills needed for the Silver level, while learning teamwork and how to work toward shared goals in a supportive group setting.

Whether joining one of our public journeys or booking private dates for your group, this adventure promises to be an unforgettable outdoor experience

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

Book Now  Contact Us

Tour Cost

Cost

from $595 NZD per person. Minimum numbers required.

Duration

Duration

4 days, 3 nights

Start location

Start Location

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Silver Complete Journey | Sail & Kayak 

We have partnered with the NZ Sailing Trust to deliver a combined kayaking and sailing expedition for this adventurous journey. This Silver Complete journey combines training, practice, and qualifying into one expedition over 5 days, 4 nights. Due to the length of trip, it can alternatively be used for Gold Training, Gold Qualifying 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. 

Learn More  Contact Us

Tour Cost

Cost

from $1575 NZD per person. Minimum numbers required.

Duration

Duration

5 days, 4 nights

Start location

Start Location

Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

Hiking Adventurous Journeys

Auckland Sea Kayaks also offers coastal hiking journeys for Bronze and Silver levels of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award. These land-based expeditions provide a fantastic alternative for participants who prefer to stay dry while still gaining a deep understanding of our marine and coastal environments.

Designed specifically for the Duke of Ed programme, our hiking journeys are guided by experienced outdoor instructors and explore scenic coastlines, native bush, and regional parks across Auckland. They also serve as a progressive pathway—allowing students to begin their journey with hiking at Bronze level, and advance to more challenging sea kayaking adventures at Silver or Gold.

Click here for hiking journeys

  • "Witnessing the beauty of the waterways and the marine wildlife made me feel a profound connection with the natural world. Working closely with my team, I noticed how our communication and trust deepened day by day."

    Zoe Zhou, Student
    Diocesan School for Girls

  • “This was such an awesome experience—I’d definitely recommend it to friends! Our instructor, Ellie, was fantastic on my Duke of Edinburgh trip and made the whole journey fun and memorable for everyone.”

    Ethan Freitas

OUR PARTNERS

#aucklandseakayaks

10 ways to win at winter...

 #nzbucketlist #nzmustdo
20% Sparkling blue, 30% Stories of place, 50% Unforgettable adventure.

Find your 100% in Tāmaki Makaurau with Auckland Sea Kayaks.

@purenewzealand @visitauckland  #FEEL100inNZ #NZMustDo #NZBucketList
50% Golden glow, 50% City lights show.  Find your 100% right here in Tāmaki Makaurau.

#FEEL100inNZ #NZMustDo #NZBucketList @PureNewZealand @VisitAuckland
This summer, discover your 100% in Aotearoa, New Zealand 🛶 Whether it’s volcanic vistas or glittering harbours, we’ll take you there. #FEEL100inNZ #NZBucketList @purenewzealand
top