Living in New Zealand: Stand Up Paddle Boarding Around Quail Island

Being an island, Ōtamahua is fun to stand up paddle around. But the wind. Even though I got up early and was down at the wharf by seven most days, it was still windy nearly all the time.

Quail Island wharf on a busy morning. Note riffle of water.

Oh well, it was fun to paddle down to King Billy Island and see all birds. Provided the tide wasn't out and I didn't have to walk across the mudflats.

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On my last day the wind dropped, Hurrah!

A rare calm morning on Lyttelton Harbour

Lyttelton from Quail Island wharf

Looking towards Moepuku and King Billy Island, paddling around Quail Island on a calm day with the tide in!

Stand Up Paddle Boarding to Quail Island

We are having beautiful autumn weather here in New Zealand. I went out on the paddleboard yesterday because the forecast was for very light winds. It started out that way and I got to the island in about 25 minutes. But by that time I had paddled around the island the wind had changed and Lyttleton harbour became choppy. It was a good 35 minutes of paddling to get back to Magazine Bay. I was knackered but it was totally worth it.

Back on the Paddle Board

We are having a beautiful summer in New Zealand, but I have been spending too much of it working and gardening. It was good to be back on the water and take my first SUP in Lyttelton Harbour.