Sea Kayak Adventures

Originally known as Sea Kayaking Adventure Tours Anakiwa (SKATA), the business started from humble beginnings in the early 1990s with two Double Southern Lights and four Single Puffin sea kayaks under the ownership of Roger Reardon.

Well-known in New Zealand kayaking circles, Roger started paddling in 1980 in New Zealand's North Island where he focused on white water. After moving to the South Island and settling in Anakiwa while working at the Outward Bound School, he took on sea kayaking as a way to get out and explore the surrounding secluded waterways and inlets of Marlborough Sounds.

At this time the sea kayaking industry was still a 'work in progress' and Roger became one of the founding members of the Sea Kayak Operators Association of New Zealand (SKOANZ). This association has since been instrumental in developing industry standard safe operating guidelines as well as a pathway for aspirant sea kayaking guides to gain experience, knowledge and qualifications.

When new adventures beckoned, Roger sold the business into the ownership of Steve and Juliet Gibbons, already owners of Wilderness Guides in Picton (see www.wildernessguidesnz.com). Juliet and Steve have continued the proud tradition of this Anakiwa sea kayak company and its commitment to the highest quality of kayak trip with safety paramount at all times. Both are recreational kayakers and have combined their love of the outdoors and people with business, beginning with Wilderness Guides in 1999 and now Sea Kayak Adventures.

Today SKATA is known as Sea Kayak Adventures with a refreshed brand and a new purpose-built kayak base on the corner of Anakiwa Road and Queen Charlotte Drive. One thing hasn't changed and that is the staff of Sea Kayak Adventures will be able to give you all the information and knowledge to enable you to enjoy a magical experience in this fantastic area of New Zealand. You can choose from a wide selection of guided trips or head out on your own personal adventure. It truly is the sea kayaking company for kayakers - run by kayakers - for kayakers!

Sea Kayak Adventures caters for a wide variety of groups ranging from Polytech, Armed Forces, Tramping Clubs through to backpackers and campervan travellers. Special packages, a large rental fleet and the flexibility to streamline and mold programs to suit individual groups' abilities and desires remains a strong focus of this operation.

From its strategically located base at Anakiwa, Sea Kayak Adventures can access all three of the major waterways of the Marlborough Sounds - Queen Charlotte, Kenepuru and Pelorus - and transport can be arranged to all major entry and exit points, offering a greater level of flexibility than any other kayaking company can provide.

So, please don't hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have!