Only a short paddle away from the heart of the village, Raglan’s best kept secret is making headlines, and attracting people from all over the world for its unique landscape that seems to come right out of the Jurassic era!
Accessible only by water, the limestone coast is a must see for anyone wishing to experience Raglan to its fullest. If you are after the ultimate sustainable way to engage with our local environment and get inspired by its colourful culture & diverse ecology, then going kayaking is the way to go!
We decided to catch up with Raglan Kayak & Paddleboard owners, Stephen & Candide Reid, to find out how to plan the ultimate outing this summer.
First, tell us, what’s so special about the limestone coast?
The unique rock formations that form the coast are approximately 30 million years old. It’s actually an ancient seabed, which has risen out of the ocean. Rain, wind, and tides have carved the rocks into intricate and unique shapes which look like stacks of pancakes, hence the nickname!
Do we need experience to kayak to the pancake rocks?
No experience is required to join our guided excursions. That said, experience is required to rent our equipment and paddle to the pancake rocks without a guide.
Is kayaking in Raglan a family friendly activity?
Yes, totally, I can’t think of a better way to spend quality time with family and friends, even dogs sometimes come along!
A variety of options are available for families, so we suggest visiting our website or talk to our team to plan your family outing.
What would you suggest as the ultimate way to explore the Limestone Coast?
If you want to make the most of your experience and discover our secret spots, then I would recommend joining a guided tour, as local expertise goes a long way.
You’ll get to paddle through limestone labyrinths, nooks and crannies and our guides will share with you Raglan’s captivating stories along the way.
If you are an experienced kayaker, then renting the equipment for 2 hours is a good timeframe.
How do we go about planning a trip?
It’s easy, you can simply book directly through our website. For the ultimate experience, we suggest people plan in advance, especially during the high season.
You are also welcome to pop by and see our team at Bow Street Jetty’s waterfront, where we operate every day, in order to discuss your options.
Anything new at Raglan Kayak & Paddleboard this year?
Yes actually! We have an awesome new addition to our rental fleet called “The Jumbo Paddleboard”. This huge board can fit up to 6 to 8 people at once – it’s such a good laugh to rent with a bunch of friends or family. We are also excited to be providing Sea Kayaks as our new fleet for the boutique Kayak & Coffee Excursion.
The best news for us personally, is having our son Sky join the family business. We started Raglan Kayak in 2003 when he was just a toddler and so nothing could make us happier than to have Sky join our awesome team!
Are you ready to escape the ordinary with friends and family?
Raglan Kayak & Paddleboard is open daily, operating from Bow Street Jetty Waterfront from 9am to 5pm, all summer.
Book your experience today!
P: 021 186 0521
W: WWW.RAGLANKAYAK.CO.NZ
