PADDLE LAKE ROTOITI IN THE NELSON LAKES

Updated: Sep 22

If you want to paddle on a stunning alpine lake in the heart of the national park surrounded by majestic mountains, beech forests, with a picture perfect framed jetty – this is the place to go!

Surrounded by quite a compact but stunning mountain range, Lake Rotoiti is nestled at the start of the New Zealand Southern Alps. This lake is only just over an hour outside of Nelson, next door to the alpine village of St Arnaud and popular with locals and tourists alike. Although its slightly off the typical tourist trail, it’s well worth the detour!

Meaning little lake/small waters in Maori, this is the smaller of the two big glacial lakes at 8km long, with its sister lake, Lake Rotoroa (large waters) just close by. With campsites, hiking routes, and huts at both ends of the lake, and a water taxi operating, your paddle route options are endless!

I was so excited to paddle at this picture perfect spot! After a wee drama getting my van stuck off road and having to be towed out (thanks Paul), I jumped on Lake Rotoiti to spend the day exploring the full lake from tip to toe, marvelling in its beauty. With pesky wasps, bees and sandflies on the lake side, it was a lovely relief from those in the summer to be on the water.

Paddling the length of lake rotoiti

I often like to push myself and I had some cracking conditions so what started as a gentle paddle, turned into paddling the circumference of the lake (about a 20km round trip). The further south you paddle, the

closer you get to the mountains - offering a jaw dropping backdrop.

After paddling along the western side of the lake, after launching at Kerr Bay, the perfect stop was to jump off at the mid point jetty on the western bank along the Lakeside Track. From here, walk fifteen minutes up through the bush to admire Whiskey Falls, the 40m waterfall hidden in the forest. Once returning to my board, I was greeted with perfect views of the mountains from the jetty (choose the second one, not the first one you come across for the best views!) before jumping back on the board. Here I continued along to the south of the lake, passing birds, geese and ducks enjoying their spot by Coldwater Hut. When I was ready to come back. I crossed over to the east side of the lake and cruised back with a tail wind to help, stopping at lake beaches for swims along the way in the glacial water.

The lakes do get busy in the summer, especially at the weekends so avoid the crowds with a mid week trip and an early start to enjoy the water to yourself, with a few boats and the water taxi around if you do need some help.

Not everyone wants to do such a mammoth paddle, but the beauty of this lake is that the views are stunning, even if you just stay in Kerr Bay or West Bay and just relax on the water. Bliss! I can't wait to come back and paddle here with the snowcapped mountains in winter!

Paddleboarding Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes

route

PADDLING INFO for lake rotoiti

RATING

Beginner Friendly

ROUTE & conditions

Your route would depend on the winds, as it is a big lake so make sure that you paddle into the head wind on your way out and use the tail wind to help you back when you turn around.
The winds tend to pick up in the afternoon especially in the summer, so do be careful and check the forecast as you don't want to get caught out on this lake. As it's so big, the wind can tunnel down the lake here especially in the afternoons, so head out early morning or jump on for a gentle paddle around at sunset.
You can also chat to the Nelson Lakes Visitors Centre to check the conditions, and you can let the Water Taxi service know your plan just in case the wind picks up, so that you can jump on the water taxi if you needed to. They operate a limited service in winter, and have scheduled times on the water so check their timetable first.
An awesome 10km option is to paddle 5km south from Kerr Bar and stop off at Whiskey Falls and paddle back along the eastern side of the lake, depending on the wind.

WHERE TO PARK & LAUNCH

Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes National Park, Kerr Bay Road, St Arnaud 7072 -

https://maps.app.goo.gl/whiP2ZewruoSNoSg9

Free parking along the lake front, and toilets are present here too.
The launch is walking into the water from the parking spot at Kerr Bay Road, St Arnaud 7072, or

West Bay, Mount Robert Road, Tasman 7072. For the best views of the mountains, launch from Kerr Bay.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

Alpine Lodge – this cute spot is always buzzing, aand not just because it is the only place in the village, but it has epic pizzas!
St Arnaud Alpine Store and Café – this is more than just a service station! This café stocks awesome cakes and excellent breakfasts for a pre and post paddle treat.

WHERE TO SLEEP

The campsites on the Lake Front have the best spot in the house! Booking is essential for both and they do fill up quickly so get in fast. Book online with Department of Conservation or at the Nelson Lakes Visitors Centre for both Kerr Bay Campsite and West Bay Campsite.
Or, if you prefer a bed for the night, check out the Alpine Lodge too.

LOCAL INFO

No permits or permissions are needed to paddleboard here. NZ Maritime Law states a requirement to wear a buoyancy aid when paddleboarding (body or airbelt) and have two forms of communication (e.g. phone and whistle) You can also camp up or book a bed at Coldwater Hut nestled at the southern end of the lake – just paddle up and don’t forget to sit and watch those epic stars.
Be aware of sand flies, bees and wasps which are strive here most of the year round especially in the summer.
The lake is perfect for swimming in, just check underneath the jetty for the oldest locals of the Nelson lakes – the long fin eels first!
Don't get confused as there is another Lake Rotoiti and Rotoroa in the North Island too!