Ōkārito and its lagoon at a glance
Ōkārito (written Okarito in most listings) sits on the coast north of Franz Josef. From Franz Josef, drive 15 km north on State Highway 6, then 13 km on a sealed road to the coast. The walks start at the School House on The Strand. The lagoon is a wetland for paddling and birdwatching, and the settlement is a base for evening tours to find wild kiwi.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) warns that Ōkārito has no shops or petrol stations. Bring food and fuel with you. Sandflies are common, so pack repellent.
What to do at Ōkārito compared
Prices are the operators' published rates for 2026, per person.
| Activity | Time | Price | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wetland Walk (DOC) | 20 minutes, 1 km return | – | Wheelchair-suitable as far as the lookout |
| Trig Walk (DOC) | 1 hour 30 minutes | – | Easy, with a lookout over coast, lagoon and mountains |
| Kayak hire, short | 2 hours | NZ$85 | Includes 30 minutes of briefing, kit and launch |
| Kayak hire, half day | Half day | NZ$95 | Same briefing time included |
| Kayak hire, full day | Full day | NZ$110 | Experienced paddlers only, at suitable tides |
| Guided kayak (Lagoon Kayak Explorer) | – | From NZ$165 | Guided lagoon trip |
| Kiwi tour (Okarito Kiwi Tours) | 3 to 5 hours | NZ$150 | Starts about 1 hour before sunset; limited numbers |
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before a kayak start. No sighting of a kiwi is promised on any tour.
Our picks: Ōkārito
A kayak tour on the lagoon, a kayak and walking tour and a half-day guided trip.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Kayak and walking tour from Franz Josef
Kayak gear, jacket, trousers and dry bag, a nature guide, tea and coffee and transport to the walk start are included. Food and water are not.
Check availability →
Guided kayak on Ōkārito Lagoon
Up to two hours on the water with a nature guide, lifejacket, spray deck, dry bags and a hot drink. Clothing, water and snacks are not included.
Check availability →
Half-day guided tour to Ōkārito
Four hours with a local guide, hot drinks and biscuits, rain gear, an umbrella and poles. Meals and water are not included.
Check availability →Tours near Okarito and the West Coast
Glacier flights, kayaking and day trips from Franz Josef, with live prices and availability.
On the water and on foot
What each option involves.
Kayaking the lagoon
Hire is offered per person for 2 hours, half a day or a full day. The full-day hire is for experienced paddlers and depends on the tides, so ask the operator about the tides on your day. A guided trip starts from NZ$165. A local shuttle lists NZ$55 per person return to Ōkārito for at least two people.
Wetland Walk
The walk is 1 km return and takes 20 minutes. A short path through forest and over a boardwalk leads to a lookout over the wetland. It is wheelchair-suitable only to the lookout, and the stretch beyond is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies. Dogs are not allowed.
Trig Walk
DOC lists 1 hour 30 minutes, easy. The track follows the Wetland Walk and the Three Mile Pack Track at first, then branches off to the lookout after about 10 to 15 minutes. Check the current condition of the tracks with DOC before you go.
Evening kiwi tour
The tour lasts 3 to 5 hours, can run all year and starts about one hour before sunset. Numbers are limited each night. The guide looks for wild birds, so a sighting is not guaranteed. DOC describes guided evening and night tours to the rowi, also called the Ōkārito brown kiwi.
White heron colony
The kōtuku (white heron) breeds at the Waitangiroto River north of the lagoon, the only colony in New Zealand. It is a nature reserve that you enter with a permit. DOC gives the season as late October to the end of February. Do not confuse the herons with the rowi, which are seen on separate tours.
River mouths and the sea
Do not cross river mouths or lagoon outflows to the sea. Currents and quicksand can kill. Follow your guide's instructions near wildlife.
Which Ōkārito plan suits you
Match the activity to your group and your time.
Short on time
Take the Wetland Walk, 20 minutes, and add the Trig Walk if the weather is clear. Both start at the School House on The Strand.
Limited mobility or a buggy
The Wetland Walk is wheelchair-suitable to the lookout. Beyond it the path is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.
New to paddling
Choose the 2-hour hire at NZ$85 or the guided trip from NZ$165. The hire includes 30 minutes of briefing, kit and launch. The full-day hire at NZ$110 is for experienced paddlers.
No car
A local shuttle lists NZ$55 per person return, for at least two people. A kiwi tour ends after dark, so check how you get back before you book.
Plan the rest of your trip
Fit Ōkārito into a West Coast day.
Lake Matheson
The 4.4 km loop and the best light for reflections.
Hokitika Gorge
A 1.6 km loop above water that can turn grey after rain.
Getting there
Roads, buses and shuttles on the West Coast.
Weather and best time
How rain changes lagoon and kiwi plans.
If your trip continues over the Alps, see Mount Cook for walks around Aoraki and Milford Sound for the fjords.
Okarito Lagoon: frequently asked questions
How far is Okarito from Franz Josef?
Drive 15 km north on SH6, then 13 km on a sealed road to the coast, about 28 km in total.
Can I rent a kayak at Okarito?
Yes. Hire is NZ$85 for 2 hours, NZ$95 for half a day and NZ$110 for a full day in 2026. The full day is for experienced paddlers at suitable tides. A guided trip starts from NZ$165.
Will I see a kiwi on the tour?
Not for certain. The tour looks for wild birds from about one hour before sunset, and no sighting is guaranteed. Follow your guide's instructions.
Are there shops or petrol in Okarito?
No. DOC advises you to buy food and fuel before you drive out.
Is Okarito worth a trip in the rain?
The Wetland Walk is short and sheltered by forest. Kayaking and the kiwi tour depend on conditions, so confirm with the operator on the day.