Discover Okarito Kayaks on New Zealand’s West Coast
Experience serene kayak tours in Okarito Lagoon. Explore Franz Josef’s West Coast, hidden creeks, and vibrant birdlife with expert local guides.
Explore the Enchanting Wonders of Okarito – West Coast. NZ
Home / Explore the Enchanting Wonders of Okarito – West Coast. NZ
Updated: 27 th May 2026
Things to Do in Okarito – Lagoon, Kayaking & Kiwi Tours
Okarito is one of New Zealand’s hidden coastal gems, located on the remote West Coast between Franz Josef Glacier and the Tasman Sea. Known for its vast lagoon, kayaking adventures, native birdlife, and rare kiwi experiences, Okarito offers a peaceful escape surrounded by wetlands, rainforest, and rugged coastline.
Whether you want to explore the famous Okarito Lagoon by kayak, join a kiwi tour, walk along the beach, or simply enjoy the untouched wilderness, this small West Coast settlement delivers some of the South Island’s most unique nature experiences.
Discover Okarito’s Lagoon, Wildlife & Coastal Wilderness
Welcome to Okarito, a peaceful coastal settlement on New Zealand’s West Coast, located just north of Franz Josef Glacier. Surrounded by rainforest, wetlands, and the Tasman Sea, Okarito is best known for its spectacular lagoon, kayaking adventures, native birdlife, and rare kiwi experiences.
Despite its small size, Okarito offers some of the South Island’s most unique nature and wildlife experiences.
Okarito Lagoon
The magnificent Okarito Lagoon is the heart of the region and one of New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetlands. Calm waterways, reflective mountain views, and rich birdlife make the lagoon a paradise for photographers, kayakers, and nature lovers.
Visitors can explore the lagoon shoreline, enjoy peaceful walks, or join guided nature experiences to learn more about the area’s ecology and wildlife.
Kayaking on Okarito Lagoon & Lake Mapourika
Kayaking is one of the most popular things to do in Okarito. Paddle through peaceful waterways surrounded by rainforest while enjoying views towards the Southern Alps and spotting native birdlife.
Guided kayak tours are suitable for beginners and offer an unforgettable way to experience the natural beauty of the lagoon.
Okarito Kiwi Tours & Wildlife
Okarito is one of the best places on the West Coast to experience native birdlife and learn about the rare rowi kiwi, one of the world’s rarest kiwi species.
Wildlife tours around Okarito provide opportunities to discover the region’s unique ecosystem, wetlands, and forest habitats.
Scenic Flights & Nearby Adventures from Franz Josef
Located close to Franz Josef Glacier, Okarito is also a fantastic base for scenic flights over glaciers, mountains, rainforest, and the rugged West Coast coastline.
Visitors can combine kayaking, wildlife experiences, glacier adventures, and coastal walks all within easy reach of Okarito.
Franz Josef Kayaking Tours – Wilderness Tours & Cruises
Book Franz Josef kayaking tours and scenic cruises on Lake Mapourika. Guided kayak trips, rainforest walks and fishing charters — secure your spot today.
White Heron Sanctuary Guided Birdwatching, Whataroa
Join a guided White Heron Sanctuary Tour at Whataroa to view breeding Kotuku at New Zealand’s only nesting site, in the protected Waitangiroto Nature Reserve.
Okarito Boat Tours & Bird Watching on Okarito Lagoon
Okarito boat tours and bird watching on Okarito Lagoon near Franz Josef. Guided eco tours spotting rare New Zealand birdlife on the West Coast.
Incredible Walks and Hikes Around Okarito
Okarito offers several scenic walking tracks that showcase the region’s rainforest, wetlands, coastline, and spectacular mountain views. Whether you’re looking for a short nature walk or a longer wilderness adventure, there are walking options suitable for most visitors.
Okarito Trig Walk
The Okarito Trig Walk is a 4.2 km return track that takes approximately 1.5 hours to complete. The trail climbs through native rainforest to a scenic lookout with panoramic views across Okarito Lagoon, the Tasman Sea, and, on clear days, the snow-capped peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
Okarito Wetland Walk
This easy 1 km loop walk takes around 20 minutes and is ideal for visitors wanting a short introduction to Okarito’s unique wetland environment. The track passes through coastal bush before reaching a boardwalk overlooking the estuary, offering excellent opportunities for birdwatching and photography.
Three Mile Pack Track
The Three Mile Pack Track is a 9.8 km loop walk that takes approximately 3 hours to complete. The track winds through native forest before reaching Three Mile Lagoon. Many walkers choose to return along the rugged West Coast beach, but this section should only be attempted at low tide and with suitable weather conditions.
Why Walk in Okarito?
Walking is one of the best ways to experience Okarito’s unique landscapes. The combination of rainforest, wetlands, coastal scenery, birdlife, and mountain views makes these tracks some of the West Coast’s most rewarding short walks.
Wildlife Watching in Okarito
Okarito is home to one of New Zealand’s most important wetland ecosystems and is renowned for its rich birdlife. The lagoon, estuary, and surrounding rainforest provide habitat for dozens of native bird species, making the area a popular destination for birdwatchers and wildlife photographers.
The region is particularly famous for the kōtuku (white heron), one of New Zealand’s rarest birds. Visitors may also spot royal spoonbills, oystercatchers, shags, and other wetland species while exploring the lagoon or joining a guided nature tour.
Rowi Kiwi Habitat
The forests surrounding Okarito are home to the rare rowi kiwi, one of the world’s rarest kiwi species. Conservation efforts have helped protect the local population, making the area an important stronghold for this unique New Zealand bird. Visitors interested in learning more about kiwi conservation can join guided wildlife experiences available in the region.
Historic Okarito
Although Okarito is now a small and peaceful settlement, it was once one of the busiest towns on the West Coast during the gold rush era. Reminders of this fascinating history can still be found throughout the village.
Donovan’s Store
Located on The Strand, Donovan’s Store dates back to the 1860s and is one of the oldest surviving buildings on the West Coast. The restored building provides a glimpse into Okarito’s gold mining past and the early European settlement of the region.
Scenic Views & Photography
Okarito offers some of the most photogenic landscapes on the West Coast. The combination of lagoon waters, native forest, coastal scenery, and distant mountain peaks creates outstanding opportunities for photography throughout the day.
A walk along Okarito Beach or the lagoon shoreline during sunrise or sunset often rewards visitors with beautiful reflections and panoramic views towards the Southern Alps, including Aoraki / Mount Cook on clear days.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Okarito
Okarito offers a range of nature and wildlife experiences on New Zealand’s West Coast. Popular activities include kayaking on Okarito Lagoon, birdwatching tours, scenic walks, wildlife experiences, and scenic flights from nearby Franz Josef Glacier. Visitors can also explore the peaceful coastline, wetlands, and rainforest surrounding the small coastal settlement.
Okarito Lagoon is one of New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetlands and is famous for its rich birdlife, kayaking experiences, and stunning views of the Southern Alps. The lagoon is part of the South Westland World Heritage Area and is considered one of the West Coast’s most peaceful natural attractions.
Yes, kayaking is one of the most popular things to do in Okarito. Guided kayak tours allow visitors to explore the calm waterways, rainforest-lined channels, and native bird habitats of Okarito Lagoon while enjoying spectacular mountain scenery.
Okarito is home to a wide range of native birdlife, including kōtuku (white herons), royal spoonbills, and the rare rowi kiwi. The lagoon, wetlands, and surrounding rainforest provide important habitats for many native West Coast species.
Okarito is located approximately 25 minutes north of Franz Josef Glacier by car, making it an easy side trip or overnight destination on the West Coast.
Okarito is approximately 70 kilometres north of Fox Glacier, with a driving time of around 50 minutes.
Okarito is located approximately 155 kilometres south of Hokitika, with a driving time of around 2 hours along the scenic West Coast highway.
Okarito is approximately 165 kilometres north of Haast, with a driving time of around 2 hours depending on road and weather conditions.
Yes, scenic flights departing from nearby Franz Josef offer spectacular aerial views of Okarito Lagoon, the Southern Alps, rainforest, glaciers, and the rugged West Coast coastline.
Popular walks in Okarito include the Trig Walk and the Three Mile Pack Track. These scenic trails pass through native rainforest and provide beautiful views over Okarito Lagoon and the surrounding wetlands.
