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- a total experience: provided by Waikawa Sea Kayaks Waikawa Bay, Picton,
New Zealand
SeakayakingMarlborough Sounds DolphinsOur BusinessAccommodation$CostsBreakfast Surrounding Areas WaikawaMarinaPicton/MarlboroughBlenheimWine FestivalNew ZealandHow to get to Picton Japanese These are safe waters, and there are friendly houses and boats around if you have difficulties. This is however a natural environment, and you should never take anything for granted. Seakayaking is a sport that brings you close to nature. While Seakayaker's have achieved amazing feats ( circum-navigating Australia, New Zealand etc), in all weathers and sea conditions, most of us just want to enjoy. You will be able to travel close to the coastline in Marlborough Sound's (usually) sheltered waters, and camp on secluded beaches and islands without fear of predators or pirates (New Zealand has neither). You will find pristine, unaltered wilderness areas, and water of exceptional cleanliness and clarity. You may be priviliged to find dolphins swimming with and around you, gliding out of the water over your bow. It is more frequent to find little blue penguins diving to the deeps around you, and reappearing hundreds of metres away. There are seals basking on the rocks, and seabirds hovering on gentle breezes, cormorants plunging from 30 metres above you to spear fish below you, and a thousand other sights to see. These are safe waters, and there are friendly houses and boats around if you have difficulties. This is however a natural environment, and you should never take anything for granted. We provide good quality safety equipment and an in-depth briefing of local conditions and safety procedures. We have lived in this area for years, and know it's pitfalls, and have an unblemished safety history. This is largely due to our knowledge and respect of local conditions. We are Picton's oldest Sea-Kayak operator. We have modified single seakayaks to give extra stability and safety. This safety feature also stablises the craft for those who wish to use it as a base for swimnming - allowing wet re-entry to the kayak; which is not possible otherwise. We also have double kayaks that can carry 100kg of stores effortlessly with you, while the single kayaks are for those who savour the dexterity of these lighter craft. Seakayaks are longer and wider than the more sporty rivercraft; but travel faster and with less effort over long distances. Steering is by a rear rudder operated by footpedals in the cockpit; and there are storage hatches to keep your stores dry. Well, we are just into helping people to have fun, and to sustain a lifestyle ourselves while doing this. We operate a modest quality accommodation business in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand; from which we have developed our own interests in water-based sports. We hire out wind-surfers (and provide tuition), outboard motorised dinghies for those who don't want to wear themselves out but still want to get close to the natural scenery of the Sounds, and Sea Kayaks for the more adventurous, fulfilling the need we all have to get close to the natural environment that is our heritage.. We operate Sunnyvale Motel, which is a mid-range motel, comprising 6 clean, modern apartments. Each unit has a separate bedroom from the lounge/TV area, a separate fully equipped kitchen (including oven). The price per unit is NZ$65 for 2 people for one night ($12/extra adult, $10/child-under 12). Up to four people can be easily accommodated in one unit (though we do not restrict more).Cots, high-chairs, stretchers available (no extra cost) OFF SEASON RATE NZ$45 for 2 persons (per unit) 1st May to 15th December Seakayak Costs: NZ$35/day singles, Doubles: NZ$35 per person per day (best deal in town) Touring Singles: NZ$40/day Single Canoes: NZ$10/hr, Minimum charge NZ$20 Windsurfer hire: NZ$25/hour (minimum one hour), NZ$40 for 2 hours (Wetsuits included) Laser yacht for hire: NZ$60 per half-day (minimum hire), or NZ$80 per full day Catermaran (Paper-Tiger) for hire: NZ$60 per half-day (minimum hire), or NZ$80 per full day Dinghies: NZ$15/hr, NZ$40 per half-day, NZ$65/full-day, Minimum charge NZ$25 (concession rates for longer hires) We pride ourselves on the attractiveness and cleanliness of our service. We offer an excellent breakfast ( a large cooked breakfast (plenty of bacon/sausages/beans/eggs (no skimpy offerings here), or continental, or personal preferences on advance request). You will not be disappointed. We have an in-house shop at supermarket prices, service-not-profit is our aim for non-core activities. If you choose to stay with us, you will be located within 60 metres of the shore, an attractive children's playground, swimming area and "foreshore" or park, which includes a community provided electric barbeque, seating, shelters and seclusion. Waikawa Bay is not on the main road between Blenheim and Picton, so there is no train noise, little traffic and a sense of peacefulness you will yearn for on your return. There is a launching ramp for boats, providing hours (if not days) of entertainment; as boats of all shapes and sizes are sent out into the sheltered waters. Reasonable priced provisions, gifts and souvenirs are available only five minutes drive away in Picton's town centre. There is a large marina within 15 minutes walk, complete with restaurant, club and cafe-bar. Here you will see ocean going yachts, motorboats and pleasure craft of all shapes and sizes. You can enjoy your meal at the restaurant, while overlooking this "million-dollar" view. The town includes boatyards for maintenance and even for complete boat-building. High-tech Naiad boats are designed and built here. Where is Waikawa? Waikawa Bay is in Picton; which is deep in the Marlborough Sounds, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand (New Zealand is just below and to the right of Australia). Picton is both a summer-time playground and relaxation base for locals and tourists, and a year-round wonderland of natural attractions. There are seals, dolphins, penguins, cormorants ..... etc..etc... and sometimes even whales to be seen within the Sounds. The Marlborough Sounds are a drowned valley system which was taken by the sea as the islands tilted, a long time ago (and very, very slowly - don't worry). The Sounds are expanses of clean sparking seawater with bush-clad hills rising from the sea on all sides. This gives protection from the extreme conditions that are found on an exposed coast, but don't be fooled - the sea is unforgiving to those who don't take precautions or show a foolhardy disregard for it's forces. (We don't allow kayakers to go out in strong winds or a sea-swell over one metre) What else is there to do in Picton/Marlborough? Picton is a town of about 6000 people in winter ( up to 20,000 in sumner ). It has 6 hotels, and about 20 motels, plus camping grounds, back-packer residences and a shopping centre. There are restaurants, cafes and fast food outlets, a video-rental store and a supermarket. It is about 50 km from Blenheim, a much larger centre of about 20,000 permanent residents, which has all of the amentities you would expect of a prosperous town. There is an Olympic size swimming pool (and a heated pool for winter), dozens of restaurants and hotels etc. Marlburians are reknowned for their hospitality and friendliness; with tens of thousands of people descending on the town for the Wine Festival in February. Marlborough is predominantly rural, with most of the income in the region coming from the vineyards and wineries; most of which produce wines sought after (and exported) around the world. Here of course you will find wine often at bargain prices. Many vineyards operate lifestyle restaurants, which have atmosphere and warmth that makes you want to enjoy forever. New Zealand is a natural wonderland, where the citizens (mostly) respect and enjoy their environment. Most New Zealanders (or "Kiwis") have an active relationship with their outdoor surroundings, including the mountains, sea, rivers and "bush" (jungles). Pollution, littering and waste is generally regarded as a crime, and the days of wanton exploitation of forests and resources, or of unrestricted modification of the catchments and wetlands is now, mostly, behind us. Now we have cleaner waters, and even near the cities it is increasingly possible to swim without undue fear for health. Come and see, and enjoy. You will see hot mudpools, geysers, glaciers, ski-fields (in winter), surfing, sports of all descriptions (especially the national passion, rugby football). We hope you will visit New Zealand, and invite you to check out the many competent operators who provide excellent guiding and equipment services. We believe that our service ranks with the best of these, through our active involvement and committment to our lifestyle. Picton is 30 minutes small-plane flight from Wellington International Airport to Picton Airport - and a courtesy coach is provided to Picton township. You could take a 3.5 hours ferry trip from Wellington through the Marlborough Sounds, to get an appreciation of the vastness of this natural wonder. In summer there is a high-capacity fast ferry which can bring this trip down to 2 hours. Both ferries transport cars (with the slow ferry also transporting rail-freight). There is a larger airport at Blenheim, which connects also to Nelson, Auckland, Christchurch. Rental cars are available from Picton. Good luck in your travels.
Sunnyvale Motel, PO Box 63, Picton, New Zealand
Your hosts: Betty ; Ken, Colin ; Tomoko, Barry Lowe |
