The Kenepuru Sound is the smallest of the three major waterways that make up the Marlborough Sounds. Renowned for its turquoise water colour (due to its shallower waters) the Kenepuru Sound is surrounded by sandy beaches, and is a mix of native bush and farmland. Portage Hotel looks over the Kenepuru Sound, and is a popular lodge stay for a couple of days with walkers and bikers on the Queen Charlotte Track. Spending an extra day at Portage, after walking for 3 days on Queen Charlotte Track, means that you can spend a day sea kayaking in the Kenepuru Sound.
Trip Departure Time: 9.30am from Portage Hotel
Trip Return Time: 3.30pm at Portage Hotel
Duration: 1 Day
Your day includes paddling through the turquoise waters of the Kenepuru Sound – past sandy beaches, marine farms, and even a shipwreck, before returning to Portage Bay.
This is a wonderful day out, exploring a different Sound to the better-known Queen Charlotte Sound. It is easy for you to join this trip if you are staying at Portage Hotel, or any of the accommodation houses in the Kenepuru Sound, and we also organise water transfers out of Picton to join the trip.
*Portage Bay is in the Kenepuru Sound, a 15 minute boat ride from Picton. There is an additional cost of $115 per person return, if a boat transfer is required to start this trip.
Equipment
We recommend you wear or bring:
What if I am not staying in Picton, but want to do this trip?
We can organise for you to catch a water taxi to join the trip. The water taxi ride will cost an additional $115 return.
I have never kayaked before, can I still do this trip?
Yes, many of our clients have never sea kayaked before but find it really easy to do.
I can’t swim, will I be okay?
Yes, you will be wearing a buoyancy aid and you will be travelling in a party with a guide, so the chances of you capsizing and falling out of your boat are minimal. Your guide will have provided you with a briefing on what to do if you do capsize.
Will I be back in time to catch a ferry or bus?
Yes, we can drop you straight to the ferry or bus terminal, if required. If you are returning to Picton by boat, you should be back in Picton by around 4.30pm.
Do I need to be fit to enjoy this trip?
We recommend that you are at least of average fitness to enjoy this trip. You may feel a little tired in your shoulders after a day’s paddling, but we do have stops along the way and the pace is gentle.
What if it gets windy when I am out there?
Our trips are flexible enough that we can change the itinerary to meet the weather conditions. Ideally we try to organise the day so that the wind is at your back as much as possible. However, as with any outdoors experience, there may be times when you are required to paddle in windy conditions. If this is the case, then we try to minimise the time that you will be paddling into the wind.
Will we be in single or double kayaks?
Double. If you are a solo traveler or there is an odd number in you group you will be paired up with someone else or the guide.