About This Route
From Gunn's Camp on the Hollyford Track road-end, tackle the 12km estuary paddle to the Tasman Sea mouth. This expert stand-up paddleboarding challenge blends river currents, surf zones, and coastal swells near Milford Sound, with rainforest and kea sightings.
Safety Considerations
River-to-sea transition hazards: bar breaks, driftwood, swells to 2m. Full Maritime NZ ocean rules: drysuit, bombproof leash. Scout bar at low tide. Föhn winds funnel strongly. Group mandatory; satellite comms vital beyond VHF range.
Essential Gear
14' unlimited SUP (Jobe), ocean PFD, thigh harness leash, impact vest, flares, SPOT beacon, bolt cutters for snags, group tow system.
Emergency Tips
Bar dump: turtle roll board. Signal with flares; heli from Lower Hollyford.
Elite training spot; 2020 surf crossing success via scouting.