Hire

Our Freedom Rentals hire service enables you to design your own self-guided tours or perhaps you just need a few kayaks as part of a fun day out on the coast. You can access areas not possible without a boat and a kayak is the best way to see our coast.

We can assist you with your journey. Options include a return trip from a beach base or a one way trip where we arrange a car shuttle or we meet you at the end point to pick up kayaks and bring your driver(s) back to your vehicle(s) Please enquire also about our multi-day hire options.

The sheltered waters of Ngunguru River provide a range of options for beginners, family and social groups. Explore the large mangrove systems or iconic Ngunguru Sandspit, the history of the Ngunguru River or find a beach for a great day out. A popular trip is to paddle one way from Scows landing to Ngunguru township and in the right conditions this trip could be extended to Whangaumu Bay.

Waitoi Creek is a long winding waterway running into the river and is the Guides favourite due to the changing landscape from Mangrove Forest, native forest and finally wetlands. This trip can be run in all weathers as it is narrow and winds its way up a sheltered valley with a picnic spot at the top of the creek.

Tutukaka Harbour offers a more rugged setting for self-guided groups while still retaining some shelter from wind and swell. Hire groups will find great snorkeling, fishing and picnic spots on both sides of the harbour and there is a safe access to Rocky bay via "the gap" best on full tide. Otherwise kayaking is great at any time of the tide. An added attraction is a short walk up to the Tutukaka Lighthouse which affords magnificent views of the coast including the Poor Knights. The track can be accessed from the twin coves at the base of the Tutukaka Headland.

The Matapouri estuary is the most sheltered venue for family kayaking when the tide is high and when the swell is low you can cross the bar and venture into the bay. The Bay is the most beautiful crescent shape with great swimming on the north end where you can access the Mermaid Pool and there is a short walk to Pebbly Bay for snorkeling. A track also continues to Whale Bay along the coast. There are great picnic spots under the pohutukawa trees. Whale Bay is a very popular family beach and is safe for swimming. It is best accessed from Woolley's Bay when there is no swell.

From the Town Basin and Onerahi to Urquharts Bay there is a diverse range of paddling options. These include mangrove forests, two small Marine Reserves, sandbars, small islands and historical sites such as Limestone Island. Launching spots include Town Basin, Onerahi, Waikaraka, Tamaterau, Scotts Road, Parua Bay, McLeod Bay, Taurikura and Urquharts Bay.

Large estuaries at Pataua aand Taiharuru flow into some of Northland's finest coastline. Sandy bays, rocky headlands, reefs and channels abound. There are great snorkeling and fishing opportunities....

Interested in any of these areas above? Please see our Tour pages for guided tours.

Whangaruru Harbour

Whangaruru Harbour and open coastal areas is another excellent and safe area to explore with the added bonus of having a sheltered harbour to escape to when winds pick up. Options include a paddle from Oakura to Puriri Bay where you can camp at the DOC campground. This is a great base to explore the estuary and small islands and reefs where fishing and snorkeling are good in Summer months particularly.

To the south is the best launching area for a journey to Mimiwhangata, site of the old Whaling station and now a DOC campsite. There are some delightful and private bays for picnics and swimming on the way. Rawhiti in the Bay of islands is an area to base exploration of the Bay of Islands. Kayaks can be delivered for multi day day only and advanced notice required due to the distance from our base at Onerahi.