CANTERBURY LAKES DISCOVERY TRIP
South Island Surfari Trip
Wingfoil & Windsurf the Canterbury Lakes
A six night Wingfoil and Windsurf holiday to discover New Zealand’s stunning Canterbury Lakes in the Central South Island.
These High Country lakes offer epic wingsurfing in some of the most picturesque regions in the world. From crystal clear waters of Lake Ohau, Aviemore and Benmore to turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki and Tekapo. We aim to explore a different spot each day. The summer thermal winds are strong and reliable!
Our Surfari trips are all inclusive, meaning you don’t need to do a thing except book the trip and get to Queenstown (fly) or Twizel (drive).
from
NZD
USD
EUR
NZD
$1695.-
USD
$1060.- *
EUR
€970.- *
* USD & EUR are approximate and displayed for your convenience.
6 nights comfortable 3 star accommodation
Single/twin/double share available.
Meals
Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - fully catered throughout your stay.
Free Shuttle
All transport for you and your gear provided during your stay.
Flying in
Pick up and drop off - Queenstown Airport.
Local knowledge
We ensure you will be at the right spot at the right time.
Photos
Professional photos taken of you on the water.
What you want to know
Discover the Surfari Trip Dates currently available, your package pricing options, and if you’re looking to travel light, the rental options.
2024 Season
- 27 January to 2 February – Book Now
- 4 February to 10 February – Book Now *** LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE ***
2025 Season
- To be confirmed – Contact Us
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Find our previous trip reports for season 2023
Request a date that suits you! Get a crew of four (minimum) and contact us for a Custom Surfari.
- $2495 NZD Standard single room.
- $1995 NZD Small single room (3 only available)
- $1895 NZD Bring a friend per each (2 x small single rooms, must be booked together).
- $1695 NZD Double room / Twin share room per person (must be booked together).
- $POA NZD available by prior arrangement.
What you need to know
Explore everything that is included in the Surfari Trip package, what you need to bring with you, and what skill level you need to be at.
- 6 nights comfortable accommodation (3 star).
- 5 full days in paradise!
- Queenstown Airport – free shuttle transfer.
- Free shuttle transport to each sailing location.
- Plus free gear transport by covered trailer.
- Sailing spot advice.
- Weather conditions advice.
- 6 x continental breakfast.
- 5 x picnic lunch.
- 6 x dinner with complimentary glass of wine.
- your own equipment (unless arranged prior).
- 4/3 wetsuit recommended
- sunblock
- sunhat
- water bottle
- insect repellent
- medications
If you are unsure what equipment you should bring, please contact us.
- This trip is suitable for intermediate to expert wingfoil, windfoil and windsurfer (please note: we currently do not offer lessons or tuition).
- Wind conditions can be anywhere from 12-25+ knots.
If you are unsure if this trip is suitable for you, please contact us.
What to expect
Your six nights fully catered wingfoil, windfoil and windsurf experience is based in the heart of the South Island. You are hosted in the peaceful settlement of Twizel. The timing of your trip is tailored to capture the summer thermal weather conditions, maximising your water time.
is 3 star and offers plenty of room for everyone to hang out and socialise. Centrally located to easily access the five lakes. You will enjoy the large living spaces and comfortable bedrooms.
It starts with a continental breakfast, locally baked breads and fresh coffee brewed (or tea!).
A hearty lunch is individually packed to allow you freedom to when you please.
The day finishes with a wholesome meal by our local chief followed by desert and a lot of tall stories!
taking professional action shots of you on the water which are available to purchase at discounted rates.
You are picked you up from and returned to Queenstown Airport by shuttle with a covered luggage trailer to transport your equipment.
You are driven to one of the five lakes each day by shuttle based on optimal weather conditions. We ensure you are at the right place at the right time to maximise your day on the water. It is however ultimately your judgement on your ability to sail in the presented conditions.
If you prefer to self-drive to Twizel you are welcome to join the coach transport each day or choose your independence. This is an ideal option if you wish to bring a partner that’s not into wind/water sports.
NB: Gear shuttle expectation is one board + foil + three wings/sails. Naturally you may have larger expectations, contact us to discuss your gear requirements.
Where do you sail
The MacKenzie District of Canterbury offers a variety of great lake locations for wingsurfing, freeriding and speed runs with regular summer alpine thermals off the mountains, a bit like a mix of Maui and Lake Garda without the crowds.
With two easy access spots its well known for its beautiful foiling and freeride conditions and its unbelievably clear water. There is an awesome swell building if the wind direction is right and you want to test you and your gear.
Lake Benmore is New Zealand’s largest artificial lake that can get nice sailing in Easterlies. Lake Aviemore’s thermal winds in summer switch on like clockwork. Both of these lakes are very forgiving and super popular holiday spots, perfect locations for foiling and free riding.
The largest of the three roughly parallel alpine lakes running north–south along the northern edge of the Mackenzie Basin. The brilliant turquoise water sitting in the snow peaked shadow of Aoraki / Mt Cook. Access can be more challenging in spots however this is one of the most picturesque lakes on our tour.
Post card picturesque with impossibly blue water, a sailing paradise with easy gravel beach access. This is a foilers dream come true.
I just finished the 5 day lakes surfari and I'm so glad I did. It was absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone out there who loves winging and windsurfing. Heidi and Bevan were so nice and accommodating while keeping it fair and professional. They took us to these amazing lakes so we could see and experience a different spot every day (weather depending of course), organised an amazing catering that kept us very well fed the entire time and I didn't even need to bring my own gear as the gear rental price was very reasonable. The photos they took are also amazing. Thanks for the experience, Heidi and Bevan. I'm looking forward to next year's.
★★★★★ 5/5
Bevan and Heidi hosted an excellent week of windsurfing and winging based out of Twizel. There was wind and sun every day, an essential part of any memorable sailing holiday. Spectacular catering, great company and daily excitement on the water left us all sad to return back to real life at the end of the week. What impressed me the most about the Water Nomads package was the knowledge these two carry with them on where to go ... you could easily waste a week chasing breeze on the wrong lake if you flew solo. So, my first package deal for a long, long time proved an absolute winner. I'll be back again for more. Big thanks Water Nomads.
★★★★★ 5/5
We had a fantastic trip to the the Canterbury Lakes with excellent organisation from start to finish. We were picked up in Queenstown and driven to great accommodation in Twizel where we were based for 5 days of windsurfing and wing foiling on the surrounding lakes. The food was both excellent and copious with complementary wine in the evening, Heidi and Bevan had superb knowledge of the local conditions and had us in the right places each day and we had plenty of time on the water. Bevan is an experienced photographer and produced a curated slide show each evening of action and candid photos. Thanks team. I'll be back! - Phil
★★★★★ 5/5
