Tasman Lake sits at the terminus of the Haupapa/Tasman Glacier in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, Canterbury region, New Zealand. The lake is a relatively recent formation, having begun developing in 1974 and growing steadily since. It is now large enough to support commercial boat and kayak tours, making it one of the more accessible glacial lake paddling destinations in the country.

The lake is reached via Tasman Valley Road, which turns off SH80 just before Aoraki/Mount Cook Village. Following this road approximately 7 km brings paddlers to the car park at the end, from which the lake edge is roughly 1.5 km on foot. A jetty on the lake shore serves as the primary access point for watercraft.

The defining characteristic of paddling Tasman Lake is the presence of icebergs of varying shapes and sizes that periodically calve from the glacier face into the lake. The Haupapa/Tasman Glacier, at approximately 22–23 km in length, is the longest glacier in New Zealand, and its terminal face forms the upper boundary of the lake. The glacier is currently receding at over 100 m per year, meaning the lake continues to grow.

Water temperature is a critical safety consideration. The lake water is typically around 3 degrees Celsius and can cause hypothermia very rapidly upon immersion. Paddlers should treat cold-water immersion as a serious and immediate risk. Icebergs present an additional hazard, as they are unstable and can tip without warning. The lake is also subject to rapidly changing alpine weather conditions, which can develop quickly and without much notice.

Commercial boat tours operate on the lake from September through mid-June, with a seasonal closure during July and August. This operational window gives a reasonable indication of the more practical paddling season, though alpine conditions can be severe even within that period. The Canterbury Sea Kayak Network has run paddling trips to the lake, indicating it is accessible to experienced recreational kayakers.

The surrounding landscape includes the moraine walls that mark the glacier's historical extent, views of the glacier itself, and the high peaks of the Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The Tasman River exits the lake at its lower end, offering an additional point of interest near the lake shore.