Kayaking

Share the water with penguins, seals, and occasionally dolphins in the mostly uninhabited Paterson Inlet; 100 square km (38 square miles) of bush-clad, sheltered waterways, it has 20 islands, four DOC huts, and two navigable rivers.

Phil's Sea Kayak. Suitable for beginners and experienced paddlers, this half-day guided trip in peaceful Paterson Inlet close to the shoreline is hard to beat. A full-day trip will get you into exposed coastal and intertidal waters, while a sunset/twilight tour rounds off the day as little blue penguins come ashore. Phil is very modest about his 30 years' experience on the water (which includes a circumnavigation of Stewart Island and crossing Foveaux Strait) and makes an amiable and patient guide. Small groups; tailored to experience; prices start from NZ$90 per person. 7 Leonard St., Oban, Southland, 9846. 027/444–2323.