Amazing guided kayak day with our guide Traf, with ample viewings of wildlife and nature, including stingrays, native New Zealand birds, fur seals and wekas. Our kids are 13, 11, and 8 so we worried that a full day of kayaking would be tiering, but we found the level very doable. We had planned ahead of time to have a half day of kayaking and a half day of walking... read moreAmazing guided kayak day with our guide Traf, with ample viewings of wildlife and nature, including stingrays, native New Zealand birds, fur seals and wekas. Our kids are 13, 11, and 8 so we worried that a full day of kayaking would be tiering, but we found the level very doable. We had planned ahead of time to have a half day of kayaking and a half day of walking the Abel Tasman track. In hindsight, we probably could have handled a full day of kayaking, but the combination was a nice variation, and we felt refueled after the delicious catered picnic lunch from Abel Tasman kayaks. We would recommend this trip without hesitation. Our guide was amazing and provided us information not only about the nature that we saw, but about Maori history and heritage, and was extremely personable, and made the trip very fun. Scenery was amongst the most stunning we have seen. Our souls are satisfied! read less
Leonie
Absolutely loved it I had never ever done Kayaking and got into it as my birthday gift from Sachin, my husband.
Amazing, spectacular and must do !! Excellent well organised and fantastic location with great guides like Whitey and Georgia who were patient and skilled. Loved all the local stories Whitey shared with us….
Would rate this is the best adventure to date I have done read moreAbsolutely loved it I had never ever done Kayaking and got into it as my birthday gift from Sachin, my husband.
Amazing, spectacular and must do !! Excellent well organised and fantastic location with great guides like Whitey and Georgia who were patient and skilled. Loved all the local stories Whitey shared with us….
Would rate this is the best adventure to date I have done read less
Smita and Sachi... S
Such an incredible walk and we really enjoyed our two days with the kayaks! Day 1: kayaked from Marahau to Te Pukatea; Day 2: kayaked Te Pukatea to Onetahuiti then walked to Waiharakeke - big day but breaking it up made it a lot more manageable. Third day: walked Waiharakeke to Anapai Bay. 4th day: Anapai Bay, loop around to Separation point and back to Totaranui. All pretty average fitness... read moreSuch an incredible walk and we really enjoyed our two days with the kayaks! Day 1: kayaked from Marahau to Te Pukatea; Day 2: kayaked Te Pukatea to Onetahuiti then walked to Waiharakeke - big day but breaking it up made it a lot more manageable. Third day: walked Waiharakeke to Anapai Bay. 4th day: Anapai Bay, loop around to Separation point and back to Totaranui. All pretty average fitness and not experienced kayakers but we managed the kayaking just fine. Highly recommend doing the kayak/walk split as it was a great way to break it up and it was beautiful out on the water. Also very impressed with our pickup crews boating skills - it was a VERY choppy day on pick up, but they operated like a well oiled machine to get us and our gear safely on the boat. Abel Tasman Kayaks were great and really helpful and I would certainly recommend using them. Overall a great experience, good camping facilities (some with flushing toilets!) and incredible views. Make sure to check the tidal crossings and watch out for Wekas!! read less
Amelia R
Did the 5 day kayak trip, booked very last minute and they were able to accomodate us at short notice. We then flew to NZ pretty much just for this. From then on everything was really well organised by Abel Tasman Kayaks starting with our pickup from Nelson. The awesome kayaking experience was a fascinating journey where we saw some of the best scenery and wildlife New Zealand has to... read moreDid the 5 day kayak trip, booked very last minute and they were able to accomodate us at short notice. We then flew to NZ pretty much just for this. From then on everything was really well organised by Abel Tasman Kayaks starting with our pickup from Nelson. The awesome kayaking experience was a fascinating journey where we saw some of the best scenery and wildlife New Zealand has to offer and had an absolutely fantastic time camping in stunning secluded scenic spots. There was even time to get a bit of hiking done to explore more of the park. The ocean going kayaks are of a high standard and easy to paddle and navigate. Our first one developed a small tear in the side, but the company was super quick in getting a replacement out.
Our amazing guide, Nicole, was very friendly, outgoing, and professional, and really engaged with our small group of 7 who were mostly kiwis. Nicole has an enthusiastically passionate knowledge of the Abel Tasman National Park, including its history, wildlife and nature, and the best spots to see as well as being an amazing host, cook, tour guide and skilled kayaker. Truely couldn’t have asked for a better guide to show us this stunning part of New Zealand. Thanks again Nicole! :)
Our group got along really well together and we really enjoyed our time with them. Everyone did their part to help run the camp, get the kayaks going, and keep the wekas at bay which made for an easy going experience. The catering was excellent with ample food and refreshments. All the camping gear is provided, and is of good quality. We packed way too much of our own stuff, but now know for next time.
Weather was perfect except for the last day where it got a bit rough causing us to capsize, for the only time, just meters away from the finish. However, all part of the fun experience and made the hot shower at the end feel so much better.
Truely one of the most amazing trips we have ever done. Can’t wait to come back! read less
weka777
We did the whole day Soul Food tour and it was one of the best things I've ever done. As a novice kayaker I felt safe and our guide gave us great tips, clear instructions and had a lot of knowledge to share about the area. We saw loads of birdlife and the beautiful kekeno/NZ fur seals swimming near us were a massive highlight. The provided lunch was delicious too.... read moreWe did the whole day Soul Food tour and it was one of the best things I've ever done. As a novice kayaker I felt safe and our guide gave us great tips, clear instructions and had a lot of knowledge to share about the area. We saw loads of birdlife and the beautiful kekeno/NZ fur seals swimming near us were a massive highlight. The provided lunch was delicious too. 10/10 would definitely recommend this experience! read less
bunsforlife
Full day of kayaking. Numerous Fur seals and birds seen. Beautiful scenery. Louisa was a great guide with lots of information about history, animals, birds, flora, fauna, tides, marine life etc.
96carolyna