• Sunset Rangitoto

    Sunset Sea Tour to Rangitoto Island

Sunset Tour to Rangitoto Island

The Sunset Tour to Rangitoto Island showcases the best of Auckland’s Waitemata harbour including Auckland’s highest and largest volcano. The trip is fully catered with a healthy kiwi BBQ for dinner and all equipment is provided.

Sea kayak to Rangitoto Island, the largest and youngest of Aucklands volcanoes and the landmark of the Auckland region, while the sun is slowly setting over Auckland and the Waitakere Ranges. After your safety briefing and paddling instruction you will kayak across the Waitemata harbour, meaning ‘sparkling waters’, where you may see wildlife such as Little Blue Penguins and Cooks Petrels.

We pull our kayaks up to Rangitoto wharf before embarking on a one-hour explorative, fun and informative trek to the summit, viewing the spectacular sites and learning all about the history of the region. Upon reaching the top you will be treated to the finest 360 degree views that the Auckland region has to offer. At the return to the water’s edge, a healthy Kiwi-style BBQ dinner will be awaiting you. With your guide, you will paddle back in the dark
watching the city lights sparkle like stars.

Our guides are very experienced and skilled sea kayakers with a personal commitment and passion for conservation and kayaking. Their knowledge of the area, understanding of the weather systems and catering abilities will ensure your trip is both enjoyable and safe.

Age restriction: Minimum age of 14 years old for this tour

 

Book Now  Vouchers

Tour Cost

Cost

$225 NZD per person (BBQ dinner and refreshments included)

Duration

Duration

6-7 Hours

Start time

Start Time

2:00 pm winter: April to Sept
4:00 pm summer: Oct to April

Start location

Start Location

Boat Ramp at 384 Tamaki Dr, St Heliers. More

Fitness required

Fitness Required

Moderate. Must be able to hike 2.5 km (1.5 miles) rising 270 meters (900 feet)

  • “Kayaking at night feels daringly intrepid – as if we’re secret agents on a covert mission. For the next hour we paddle towards the city;s twinkling lights under a sky pinpricked with stars. It’s my favorite part of the trip. The only sound is the rhythmic splash of the paddles in the water. No one speaks, not even my sister.”

    Rob McFarland in Rough Guide to New Zealand

  • “A delightful guide Logan who made us feel welcome, safe and informed and timed our activities impeccably so that we caught sunset at the top, and moon-rise on the harbour. He also kindly dropped us back at our hotels in Auckland at the end of the tour, appreciated by solo female travelers.”

    Fay on TripAdvisor

  • “My boyfriend and I did the sunset kayak tour to Rangitoto island a few days ago – one of the BEST decisions we’ve made on our NZ trip! Our tour leader Eric was a knockout! He was warm and friendly from the start, and made us feel safe the whole way across to Rangitoto and up to the summit, providing knowledgeable commentary all the way. we saw the most beautiful sunset over Auckland city and the harbour. Once we were back down at the dock Eric cooked us up a lovely dinner that had us almost too full to kayak back to the city. as someone who has kayaked maybe once or twice in her life, i’d say this venture was a decent challenge for me, especially in the middle of the New Zealand winter. So be prepared to work for your lovely sunset views – but be very assured that they are worth it!”

    Shannon on TripAdvisor

Faqs

  • Do you offer city pickups and transport?

    Yes, we provide pickups within Auckland city. To arrange this service, kindly specify your request in the booking form when making an online reservation. Our designated pickup spot is at the Auckland Museum Atrium (google map click here).

  • 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.

  • Where does this tour start?

    This tour starts 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.

    St Heliers boat ramp our launch location only and our offices are located at 193 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden, Auckland 1024.

  • Do we kayak back in the dark?

    Yes, the sunsets while we are on Rangitoto island and we kayak back to St Heliers bay after sunset. All the kayaks have proper navigational lights, every person is given a waterproof light by us and your guide carry’s additional lighting. Your guide is also in communication with the coast guard and all the other vessels in the harbor. Your guide is a trained professional holding current certification.

    Kayaking at night is a wonderful experience and an opportunity not many people get to experience.

  • How much kayaking experience do I need?

    This tour is set up for someone who has no kayaking experience. Your guide runs over paddling techniques before heading out onto the sea and gives you tips while paddling.

    In saying this, our Sunset Kayak tour requires you to be able to paddle for up to 75 minutes and requires you to walk 2.4 km while gaining 271 meters in elevation.

  • Is this tour catered?

    This tour is fully catered and we cater for all dietary requirements.
    Please advise us when you book if you have any dietary requirements so we can let our catering company know.

  • How fit do I need to be?
    Moderate level of fitness required.
    You must be able to kayak 1 hour fifteen minutes each way to Rangitoto Island.
    You must also be able to hike 2.5 km (1.5 miles) rising 270 meters (900 feet).
  • Is there a minimum age?

    The minimum age for our Sunset tour to Rangitoto is 14 years old.

    We do offer great kayak tours for children younger than this. Please get in contact and we can discuss the different options.

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
  • Shorts or leggings to kayak in (No Cotton).
  • Sun glasses and hat
  • Sport shoes or hiking sandals. Flip-flops and
    slip on shoes are suitable to kayak in but not to hike in.
  • Warm top
  • Medication
  • Head torch (we supply if you do not have)

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

Tour Start Location

This tour starts 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
top