Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sea Kayaking
Sea kayaking is a fantastic way to see the coast, and get close to wildlife you'd otherwise
never see.
Highly rated sea-kayaking areas around the South Island include the Marlborough
Sounds (Picton) and along the coast of Abel Tasman National Park. Fiordland is also a hot
spot, with a heap of tour operators in Te Anau, Milford, Doubtful Sound and Manapouri.
Also try the Otago Peninsula, Stewart Island and Kaikoura down south. Useful resources:
Kiwi Association of Sea Kayakers
(
www.kask.org.nz
)
Sea Kayak Operators Association of New Zealand
(
www.skoanz.org.nz
)
SURFING IN NZ
As a surfer I feel particularly guilty in letting the reader in on a local secret − NZ has a sensational mix of quality
waves perfect for beginners and experienced surfers. As long as you're willing to travel off the beaten track, you
can score some great, uncrowded waves. The islands of NZ are hit with swells from all points of the compass
throughout the year. So, with a little weather knowledge and a little effort, numerous options present themselves.
Point breaks, reefs, rocky shelves and hollow sandy beach breaks can all be found − take your pick!
Surfing has become increasingly popular in NZ and there are surf schools up and running at most premier surf
beaches. It's worth doing research before you arrive: Surfing New Zealand (
www.surfingnz.co.nz
)
recommends a
number of schools. If you're on a surf holiday in NZ, consider purchasing a copy of the
New Zealand Surfing
Guide
by Mike Bhana.
Surf.co.nz
provides info on many great surf spots, but most NZ beaches hold good ride-
able breaks. Some I particularly enjoy on the South Island are:
»
Marlborough & Nelson
Kaikoura Peninsula, Mangamaunu and Meatworks
»
Canterbury
Taylors Mistake and Sumner Bar
»
Otago
Dunedin is a good base for surfing on the South Island, with access to a number of superb breaks, such
as St Clair Beach
»
West Coast
Punakaiki and Tauranga Bay
»
Southland
Porridge and Centre Island
NZ water temperatures and climate vary greatly from north to south. For comfort while surfing, wear a wetsuit. In
summer on the North Island you can get away with a spring suit and boardies; on the South Island, a 2mm-3mm
steamer. In winter on the South Island use a 3mm-5mm steamer with all the extras.
By Josh Kronfeld, surfer and former All Black
Scuba Diving
NZ is prime scuba territory, with warm waters in the north, brilliant sea life and plenty of
interesting sites.
Down south, the Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park hosts the
Mikhail Lermontov,
the
largest diveable cruise-ship wreck in the world. In Fiordland head for Dusky Sound, Mil-
