Browns Island Volcano Kayak Tour: Leisurely Paddling with Sumptuous Views on Hauraki Gulf
5.0
19 Ratings
Auckland
Experience a leisurely kayak tour to Browns Island, one of the best preserved volcanoes in Auckland. Enjoy stunning views, explore Maori fortified villages, and indulge in light refreshments.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- Auckland Sea Kayaks - Motukorea / Browns Island has a fascinating history. It was heavily cultivated by local Maori pre-European arrival and was the first home of Sir Logan Campbell (mayor of Auckland) and William Brown (1st Auckland member of parliament). These men are considered the founders of Auckland city.
On arriving at Motukorea, we trek to the summit, taking in the panoramic views as we go and learning about the island’s history. There are three ancient pa sites (Maori fortified village) on the island. The largest occupying the slopes of the main scoria cone.
Light refreshments are provided on the island before we head back into the Auckland skyline.
What's Included
- Top quality sea kayak equipment
- Small friendly groups
- Over 20 years of kayaking knowledge
- Experienced guides
- Suitable for people with little or no kayaking experience
- Snacks
- Fresh morning tea and refreshments
- Tea and coffee
What's Not Included
- N/A
Additional Information
This is the perfect trip for anyone who wants a relaxed day on the Hauraki Gulf. No previous kayaking experience necessary.
Browns Island, named Motukorea (island of the pied oystercatcher bird) is one of the best preserved volcanoes in the Auckland Volcanic Field. Private boats and kayaks are the only means of access to this untouched island.
On arriving at Browns Island, you will be given the chance to walk to the summit, which will give you an opportunity to experience spectacular views and the island’s fascinating history. There are three pa sites on the island (Maori fortified village), with the largest occupying the slopes of the main scoria cone.
Light refreshments are provided on the island before you head back to the sheltered waters from where you started.
FREE Auckland City Center pick up and drop off available on request.
- Check your gear and help keep islands Hauraki Gulf pest-free.Protect our wildlife
- Check - your gear for pests such as rodents and insects
- Clean - footwear and gear, removing soil and seeds
- Seal - ensure your gear is zipped up (no open bags)
- Check your gear for pests
- Before you leave the mainland, check and clean your gear.
- Check that your gear is free of rats, mice, ants and skinks - especially camping gear which has ideal places for them to hide when stored.
- Take extra care to clean gear if you have Argentine ants or plague skinks where you live.
- Clean clothing, footwear and camping gear, removing soil and seeds before and after each trip.
- Look out for cleaning stations at the pier and scrub your shoes before boarding.
- Do not bring your pets.
- Pack properly
- Pack food in sealed containers to avoid attracting rodents.
- No open bags or supermarket bags.
Location
Auckland Sea Kayaks
Tamaki Drive
Meetup: St Heliers central boat ramp 384 Tamaki Drive, Auckland.
We do offer a free city pick up from the Atrium Auckland Museum and this needs to be communicated to us at time of booking see https://www.aucklandseakayaks.co.nz/city-pick-up-location/
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(19 Ratings)
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Ravinder_m
Mar 20, 2024
A must do if you love the sea - Awesome experience with an excellent guide. We had a small group and thoroughly enjoyed. Great exercise too.
Review provided by Viator
14erbaggers
Mar 10, 2024
Peaceful time on island to ourselves - We took the ~4 hour kayak tour to Motukorea/ Brown Island. Chloe took good care of us and made sure we stayed safe on the water. Though we had kayaked once before, this was our first time sea kayaking. It was more work than we thought it might be since we’re a bit older. That said, it was worth the experience and the sense of accomplishment to kayak to Motukorea/ Brown Island. Since only kayaks can land on the island, we were the only ones on the entire island! We had a nice hike (not too long and not too short) to the top of the island where we had 360 degree views of the bay. Chloe had brought tea and coffee including milk and sugar, and also had a rich chocolate dessert as a snack. We had originally thought of doing the Rangitoto island kayak trip, but were thankful we did the Motukorea/ Brown Island trip since it was a shorter trip and wonderful to have an island to ourselves!
A few tips:
If you wear water shoes in the kayak, bring some comfortable shoes for the hike. If grass on your skin is irritating, wear long quick dry pants. I had some on and was glad to have the protection since you hike through a grassy stretch on the island. Use the toilets on the mainland before starting your tour as there are no toilets once you get in your canoe. There is a place to rinse off your feet after the tour up by the bathrooms, and on the street side of the bathroom building there is a drinking fountain where you can fill up your water bottle after the trip.
We were so thankful to have experienced the harbour from the kayak.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Katherine
Feb 24, 2024
Great trip to see this old volcano - Very professional set up. It’s the second kayak I’ve done with this group and I have been really pleased with how organized it is and their focus on health and safety. Daniel our guide was a very outgoing knowledgeable and professional guide
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shannon_l
Jan 26, 2024
Highly recommend! - This is a fabulous tour. Our tour guide. Unfortunately, we didn’t get his name, but he was a young guy and he really took care of us. They were for kayakers plus the guide on the trip. The water was beautiful and it wasn’t too strenuous to paddle out to the island. The island was super cool, and you could see a long ways off. The guide took care of everything and he gave some history of the island.
Would highly recommend this to her and I would definitely take it again. I told my family all about it and I’m so glad we went.
Review provided by Viator
Tink089
Jan 23, 2024
In Auckland? Then You Must Explore The City of Sails by Kayak - Had the most amazing adventure with Auckland Sea Kayaks today; on their day tour of Motukorea Island!! Could not recommend them highly enough!! Even though the trip departs from Helier’s Bay, they offer free pick up from Auckland Museum which is super convenient for anyone staying in the city centre!! Daniel our tour guide really made this trip, he was friendly, welcoming, kept safety at the forefront at all times and just exuded passion for the outdoors and the sea! His knowledge and experience really shone through! Once we made it to the island, which felt like a private tour it was so secluded, we hiked to the summit!! And before we disembarked, Daniel even had brownies and tea for us to fuel our return journey!! The weather today was meant to be choppy and windy, but even a bit of drizzle didn’t dampen our spirits! Thank you Auckland Sea Kayaks and Daniel for making this such a memorable day on my NZ trip!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jacques
Aug 14, 2023
Amazing kayaking adventure - A group of us paddled 5 double kayaks from St. Heliers beach to Brown's Island, where we hiked to its peak for fantastic views and had a scrumptious dinner, after which we paddled back -- in the dark!! It was an amazing adventure from start to finish, particularly the paddle back after dark under beautiful stars and with great views of city lights and the harbour bridge. This outing rates 11 stars out of 10.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tanyamac56
Mar 7, 2023
Highlight of Auckland - Our group of 8 did a kayak excursion to Brown's Island. It was originally booked for Rangitoto but modified for safety reasons after the cyclone. The excursion included some free time on the beach, a hike and a delicious bbq lunch. Our guide Rosie was excellent and totally in her element!!! Her knowledge and great sense of humor made this the highlight of our visit to Auckland!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle
Nov 20, 2022
Awesome day out in the Hauraki gulf! - Really fun day - well half day ;) I can highly recommend! It’s fun being a tourist in your city and seeing the city from a different perspective. It’s a good little kayak - not too challenging and then a nice walk around the island. Coffee and snacks are appreciated too. Really good value imho.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cristina
Apr 28, 2022
Lovely way to experience Auckland and the outdoors - It was a lovely way to spend the morning and see the city from a different angle. Thanks Nic for being so helpful and shout out to Tom for being a super easygoing yet professional guide with some cool adventures and stories to tell 😊😎
Review provided by Tripadvisor
293vich
Feb 1, 2021
Fantastic morning paddle to Motukorea island! - We have just moved to NZ and wanted to do some sea kayaking before leaving Auckland.
Despite a reasonably brisk wind, Nic (our guide/the owner) organised a brilliant paddle. We specifically asked for single kayaks rather than double and Nic was really accommodating. The boats and all the gear were good quality.
Nic and his group were great fun and really informative about the area and made us feel super welcome. They shared lots of knowledge with us and made the trip really enjoyable.
The trip across to motukorea island was stunning. We stopped on the beach for a quick cuppa and a brownie (Nic is well stocked with every kind of hot drink and plenty of juice)...We then climbed to the summit of the island (a short walk) for stunning views of surrounding islands and view back to Auckland.
Nic picked us up and returned us to the city centre making the whole trip easy and uncomplicated. Would defiantly recommend this trip if you have a spare half day. I also think the rangitoto island trip would be amazing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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