Lake Hāwea is a large glacial lake in the Otago region of New Zealand's South Island, located approximately 15 minutes north of Wanaka via State Highway 6. The highway follows the western shoreline of the lake to The Neck, where the road crosses to Lake Wanaka and continues toward the West Coast. The lake is long and oriented roughly north-south, with the Hunter River entering at its northern head.

Paddlers have several access options. The southern end of the lake, near the Hawea township, has an excellent boat ramp — though it is notably steep, which can make retrieving a boat onto a trailer challenging. The Lake Hawea Holiday Park is situated adjacent to this ramp and offers a convenient base, including a boat ramp of its own for launching kayaks and paddleboards. Access to the western shoreline is available off State Highway 6, and a gravel road at The Neck leads to the Kidds Bush Recreation Reserve, which provides access to a bay on the lake. The eastern shoreline road past the Hawea township reaches the Timaru River Delta, beyond which the road becomes private and requires permission from Dingle Burn Station owners. The head of the lake and the Hunter River are most practically reached by water, as road access requires permission from Hunter Valley Station owners.

The lake is well-suited to multi-day paddling. An overnight kayak trip from the Hawea township to near the top of the lake and the beginning of the Hunter River has been completed by paddlers. Silver Island Bay, on the western side of the lake, offers an anchorage point and access to the Turihuka Track over the peninsula. The bay at Kidds Bush provides access to the Sawyer Burn Track. The water is clear and cold, consistent with its glacial origin.

The Lake Hawea Holiday Park provides paddleboard and kayak use on the lake, along with a boat ramp, making it a practical facility for visiting paddlers. The Queenstown Lakes District Council publishes a Boating Guide covering Lakes Wanaka and Hāwea, which is a useful reference for trip planning. Fish & Game New Zealand (Otago Region) also provides information relevant to the lake.