Rippled Earth kayaks first began operating its tours in 2007 after Owner/Operator Sam de Reeper completed his studies at Lincoln University in Christchurch
The inspiration for Rippled Earth began long before that though; Being a Glenorchy local Sam had climbed, swam and explored the country side when growing up. The harder it was to get to a place the greater the prize. So the Islands on Lake Wakatipu were always a little special as the 1.2km crossing could not be done without help. As he got older the boundaries grew further as mountains could be climbed over and new valleys explored. At 20 Sam began working in Milford Sound. using trails in the national park he could walk the 40km and work on one of the ships there for a week, he would then walk back. The cheep car he used to get to the start of the trail had a habit of breaking down or not starting so Sam bought his first Sea Kayak. It was much more reliable kayaking from the Greenstone valley to Glenorchy than it was driving. During these crossings he was paddling past the wooded coastlines of Pigeon Island and soon grew to love the place.
In 2002 Sam started a 3 year degree in Conservation and Ecology, learning about the local fauna and flora and also the history of human induced changes that led from the untouched ancient New Zealand to the landscapes we live in today. Through the summers Sam worked at Rosco's Sea Kayaks in Milford Sound and in the Abel Tasman as a kayak guide. Gaining valuable experience Sam leaned the skills it would need to start Rippled Earth when he completed his studies.

Now you can join us at Rippled Earth on our kayak adventures across one of New Zealand's most scenic mountain lakes within the Southern Alps. Two great kayaking tours leave from Glenorchy shore's at the head of Lake Wakatipu, only 40 minutes from Queenstown.

* Our Island Safari tour take you on a half day kayaking tour to the conservation reserves Pig and Pigeon Islands, exclusive to Rippled Earth these islands are a paddlers paradise. See endangered birdlife and land up on one of the many beaches for a break and morning/afternoon tea. During the summer months you can take a swim in the crystal clear waters or just lazy on the beach looking at the glacier clad mountains around.

* From December to March we offer evening kayak tours across Lake Wakatipu for dinner at the historic Kinlcoch lodge. Pick a delicious meal from Kinloch's AL-acarte menu. After dinner enjoy a quiet paddle back across Lake Wakatipu as the last of the sun fades across the surrounding peaks

Local

Eat and Drink

• Cavells Cafe & Bar - Queenstown (16.7 miles) - Cavells Café & Bar, at Arthurs point is the perfect location for a relaxing brunch, a celebration o...
• Gantleys Restaurant - Queenstown (16.8 miles) - A pioneering landmark from the 1860s, Gantleys was built as a wayside inn for Central Otago gold miner...
• Queenstown Wine Trail - Queenstown (17.8 miles) - Queenstown Wine Tours Making wine personal...we choose the best vineyard combinations in the Queensto...
• Raeward Fresh Queenstown - Queenstown (18.0 miles) - RAEWARD FRESH QUEENSTOWN - WHERE THE LOCALS SHOP LOCALLY GROWN - ORGANIC - NZ GROWN - IMPORTED Find f...
• Hotel St Moritz - Queenstown (18.1 miles) - Ideally situated in Queenstown overlooking Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables mountain range, Hotel S...

See and Do

• Rippled Earth kayaks Glenorchy (0.0 miles) - Rippled Earth kayaks first began operating its tours in 2007 after Owner/Operator Sam de Reeper comp...
• Glenorchy Journeys Glenorchy (0.1 miles) - Glenorchy Journeys offers exclusive privately guided full day or half day scenic tour and guided wal...
• Dart Stables Glenorchy (0.1 miles) - At The Head of Lake Wakatipu lies Glenorchy, gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park and Te Wahipoun...
• Heli Glenorchy Glenorchy (0.2 miles) - "Let us show you this beautiful part of our world from a perspective like no other ..." Fly b...
• Rippled Earth Glenorchy (0.3 miles) - Rippled Earth was first started in 2007. Sam a local lad, had started off in tourism from a young ag...

Shopping

• Raeward Fresh Queenstown - Queenstown (18.0 miles) - RAEWARD FRESH QUEENSTOWN - WHERE THE LOCALS SHOP LOCALLY GROWN - ORGANIC - NZ GROWN - IMPORTED Find f...
• Outside Sports - Queenstown (18.2 miles) - Since 1995, Outside Sports has been Queenstown’s one-stop-shop for world class outdoor product and...
• Arrowtown - Arrowtown (22.6 miles) - Only 20 minutes from Queenstown, Arrowtown showcases the beautiful scenery, activities, golf, cyclin...