It is possible to kayak all year in Queenstown?
Yes, you can kayak in all year in Queenstown including the winter months (June-September). Not all the kayaking tour operators offer tours in winter but the likes of Queenstown Kayaking and Funyaks are two that do offer kayaking in winter in Queenstown.
Can beginners kayak in Queenstown?
Yes, beginners and novice kayakers can kayak in Queenstown. All the kayak tours are run on either Moke Lake, Lake Wakatipu (Queenstown's biggest lake) or the shallow and slow moving waters of the Dart River in Glenorchy (on the Funyaks tour). As such the kayaking is suitable to absolute beginners. There are no organised white water kayaking tours on either the Shotover or Kawarau rivers that would otherwise require you to be an experienced white water kayaker. If you do wish to have some fun in the faster white water then you can opt for Shotover river rafting that operates all year or the Riversurfing or Sledging with Serious Fun that operates during the summer months on the mighty Kawarau river.
Do you need to be able to swim to kayak in Queenstown?
Yes you must be able to at least swim a little to be able to kayak in Queenstown. You will have safety life jackets on but it is still a requirement that you can swim. If you can't swim then you can do the Funyaks tour with Dart Wilderness Safari's as they operate in shallow slow moving water but you will still need to let the staff know about your lack of swimming ability so they can inform the guides.
What is the minimum age limit for kayaking in Queenstown?
For Paddle Queenstown kayak tours the minimum age limit is 8 but everyone must know how to swim. Kids as young as 5 years of age can do the Funyaks tour with Dart Wilderness Safaris.
Is there any white water kayaking in Queenstown?
There are no guided white water kayaking tours in Queenstown as such as the two main rivers, the Shotover & Kawarau, are extremely fast flowing an unsuitable and too dangerous for kayaking tours. If you are an experienced kayaker and wish to do some white water kayaking then you can pop in and speak to the team at Outside Sports in downtown Queenstown and they can point you in the right direction. Alternatively if you are wanting to have some white water fun but aren't an experienced kayaker then you can try white water rafting on the Shotover river.
