We’re blessed with easy access to lots of water here in Ōtautahi. But how can I enjoy the water in Christchurch? Well, we’re glad you asked.
Surf all day Some of the best surf spots in Christchurch include New Brighton beach, Sumner beach, Taylor’s Mistake and North Beach, and if you’re among the uninitiated, never fear, you can be taught! There are a couple of excellent surf schools based in Sumner, and to get ‘em started young, the South Brighton Surf Club runs a Junior Surf Program for ages 5-13.
Kayak Christchurch’s rivers and bays This one’s a classic – sitting in a slightly damp kayak seat, accidentally splashing yourself every couple of minutes but having the time of your life. Christchurch Sea Kayaking has a great range of tours starting from the Ōtākaro Avon River and heading all the way out to the estuary at Moncks Bay. If you’re more the independent kayaking type, single and double kayaks and canoes are available for hire from Antigua Boat Sheds. Or you can buy your own along with all the trimmings at Further Faster and make it your mission to explore all the waterways Christchurch and Canterbury has to offer.
Take the genteel option with Punting on the Avon We could hardly mention Antigua Boat Sheds without talking about Punting on the Avon – one of Christchurch’s defining on-water activities. It’s also probably the most relaxing of all the options on this list, so if your idea of a good time is sitting back in a flat-bottomed boat and watching the ducks, geese and Botanic Gardens go by while being gently propelled onwards by a dapper fellow in a straw boater, look no further.
Get your paddle on You’ve got your feet planted firmly on your board, you’re taking in the sights of the riverbank or seaside around you, you’ve got the balance of a mountain goat… OK, maybe don’t wear your Sunday best for this one. Maximise your waterside sightseeing with a paddleboarding tour and minimise your chances of falling in with a paddleboarding lesson – you can get both from Lyttelton Harbour, Corsair Bay, Cass Bay, Diamond Harbour, Sumner and Moncks Bay, and you can also take a paddleboard tour of the central city on the Avon River with Airborn Paddling.
Take a cultural tour with Waka on Avon Did you know waka were used in the early building of Christchurch? Māori and early European settlers transported goods and building materials on the Avon by waka, and now you can be transported too, on a unique historic and cultural tour of Ōtākaro. You’ll learn to paddle a hand-crafted waka, hear stories about early Ngāi Tahu and learn about the importance of waka in Māori culture.
Water adventure meets The Jetsons Don’t worry, thrill seekers, we haven’t forgotten about you. If you like to zoom around a harbour on a jet ski or shoot up out of the water with a jet pack on your back (yes, you read that right), pay a visit to Jet Junkies. These crazy cats are based at Naval Point in Lyttelton and will hook you up with all the instruction, safety and tricks you need to get out there and be turning donuts and walking on water in no time.
Take a cruise on Lyttelton Harbour Here’s a little-known fact – you can take a boat tour of Lyttelton Harbour for free on the monthly Port Tour with the Lyttelton Port Company. Pretty cool, right? All you need to do is book well in advance, as the tours fill up pretty quick, and you’re all set for a 90-minute cruise around the harbour with informative commentary to boot. You can also take the ferry from Lyttelton over to Diamond Harbour, which gives you a beautiful trip across the water and an idyllic day trip on top.
Try your luck at Christchurch’s top fishing spots Some of the best fishing in Christchurch is on the Waimakariri River, where you can catch salmon, trout, kahawai and whitebait, depending on the season. New Brighton Pier is also a popular spot, although there is a fishing ban in place between 10am and 5pm on Sundays. For younger anglers, the fishing lakes in the Groynes are open year-round to under-17s.
Explore beneath the waves with a diving lesson Learn to dive and get involved in awesome dive trips from Dive HQ in Christchurch. These guys take courses for open water diving, advanced open water, rescue diving and getting qualified as a dive instructor, so you can explore the fascinating and diverse underwater world until your entire body goes pruney.
Go windsurfing and kitesurfing on the estuary Let the wind propel you along the water at exhilarating speed while you hang on for dear life – we mean, chop jump like a pro. Groundswell on Ferry Road can hook you up with windsurfing or kitesurfing gear as well as windsurfing lessons to have you out there getting some air with the best of them. If you already have your own gear and are looking for the best spot, the estuary off Humphreys Drive is a magnet for windsurfers when the tide and the wind align.