Price
$1199pp
Duration
3 Days
Our classic trips serve up everything that is special about the Abel Tasman National Park. Create lasting memories that will remain treasured for a lifetime.
This fully outfitted adventure has long been the benchmark for overnight guided kayak adventures in New Zealand. There will be no better time to experience it than this summer. Summers call for lasting memories, and our Classics do just that.
Immerse yourself in the rhythm of the park-drift off to sleep beside the waves, wake to birdsong, and be awed by the brilliance of the Milky Way overhead. It’s a relaxing, content-rich, fully catered beachside camping experience that lets you disconnect and truly unwind.
Spend three unforgettable days immersing yourself in the full length of the Abel Tasman coastline, kayaking from the peaceful northern reaches of Totaranui or Awaroa all the way down to the golden shores of Mārahau.
Begin your journey in the seldom-visited northern section of the park, where expansive beaches, untouched bays, and a true sense of solitude await. This part of the Abel Tasman offers a rare opportunity to experience the park’s raw beauty in near silence-just you, your guide, and the rhythm of the sea.
As you paddle south through the middle section of the park, discover hidden lagoons, tidal inlets, and striking granite outcrops. This diverse marine landscape is a haven for wildlife, and your guide will share stories, local knowledge, and insights along the way to deepen your connection with the place.
The final leg of your journey brings you through the iconic southern section, known for its chain of twelve spectacular golden beaches, tranquil coves, and lush coastal bush. This stretch is the perfect finale, offering postcard-worthy views and the chance to reflect on the journey as you approach Mārahau.
Fully guided and catered, with nights spent at beautiful beachside campsites, on luxury hexatherm3D queen mattresses this three-day adventure is the ultimate way to experience the Abel Tasman—both on the water and in nature.
You can extend your journey into a four-day journey and walk from Totaranui to Separation Point (return), get in touch with us, to extend your trip. Your first day will then be an unguided walk passing lush tropical native forest and quiet beaches on day two meet your guide to start the Three Day Classic. We recommend staying at what we consider some of the best campsites in the park on night one. Recommended campsites: Anapai or Totaranaui.
Curious what it’s like? Kirsten from Bearfoot Theory shared her Classic trip experience—check out her blog and video below for a first-hand look.
All of our trips are supported from our purpose-built kayak base, where you’ll have access to complimentary hot showers, Wi-Fi, secure gear storage and carparking, and client transport services. We provide top-quality soft gear, expertly fitted by our guides, along with top-quality kayaks and equipment tailored for your comfort and safety—so you can focus on enjoying the experience.
On this trip covering the coastline from Totaranui or Awaroa coastline your professional guide will be with you for around 3 days sharing stories, local knowledge, and their love for this incredible place – the Abel Tasman. We cater all meals designed around your health and energy.
Every trip is unique like each of our clients.
We have set a summer schedule but are flexible outside our Tues/Sat departures, please contact us directly for alternate dates.
- Check-in: 8.15 am
- Age: Minimum age is 12 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 ratio
- Open: Departs Sat Jan, Feb & Mar. On request outside of these times
- Food: Fully catered
- Paddling: Approximately 4 – 5 hours per day interspersed with breaks. No prior experience required
- Abel Tasman Great Walk: Yes – optional short bush walks
- Water Taxi: One water taxi cruise
- Bus: $80 Nelson return, $40 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times
- Media Pack:
Free social-ready images and video
Awaroa Beach
Water taxi to Awaroa Beach.
Kayaking
Launching from Awaroa.
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Tonga Island
Tonga Island Marine Reserve see up close it’s playful inhabitants – the NZ fur seal, Kekno.
Granite Coasline
Exploring the granite coastline.
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Shag Harbour
Visit Shag Harbour* a hidden inlet like nowhere else in the Abel Tasman.
Lagoons
Explore Lagoons*.
Downtime
Inside Lagoons
Kayaking in the lagoons.
Campsite
Beachside camping.
Campsite
Beachside camping.
Kayak set up
Packing your kayak.
Southern Abel Tasman
Explore 12 stunning beaches in this area.
Relaxing in the Abel Tasman
Taking a break in the Astrolabe.
Southern Abel Tasman
Explore 12 stunning beaches in this area.
Departure Times
Your trip includes an Environmental Access Fee which goes directly towards preserving the Abel Tasman National Park.
Risk Disclosure: For an understanding of the potential risks please click here and read before you book.
Itinerary
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Day One
8.15 amCheck in and meet your guide.8.30 amWater Taxi to Awaroa.
9.45 amArrive Awaroa.
9.50 amPacking kayak and briefing.
10.15 amKayak from Awaroa to Onetahuti. Total kayak time approx 4.5 hrs including lunch and breaks.
4.30 pmArrive Onetahuti area.
5.00 pmSet up camp site.
7.00 pmDinner and dessert.
Day Two
8.00 amBreakfast.9.00 amDecamp.9.30 amKayak from Onetahuti area to Anchorage. Total kayak time approx 4.5 hrs with breaks. -
Arrive Anchorage campsite7.00 pmDinner and dessert.
Day Three
8.00 amBreakfast.9.00 amDecamp.9.30 amKayak from Anchorage to Mārahau. Total kayak time approx 4 hrs with breaks.3.30 pmArrive Mārahau and unpack gear. Enjoy showers and refreshments at the Abel Tasman Kayaks base. -
Sample Menu
Day One
Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks freshly baked roll filled with local produce.
Dinner: Chickpea Curry & Chocolate Brownie.
Day Two
Breakfast: Cooked Breakfast and/or muesli served with yoghurt and fruit.
Lunch: Wraps.
Dinner: Nacho bean mix served with sour cream & sliced cake.
Day Three
Breakfast: Toasted English muffins and/or muesli served with yoghurt and fruit.
Lunch: Mediterranean Pasta.
*Please note: These are an estimate of timings.
What to bring
Personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimwear, warm top (wool or fleece), wind jacket, a change of clothes, camera and any medication. Evening: Long pants, t-shirt, warm top (wool or fleece), trainers and socks, rain proof jacket. Personal: Toiletries, sleeping bag (we can provide this), torch.
We provide
A double sea kayak, buoyancy vest, paddle, spray skirt, paddle jacket, 1 30 ltr drybag for personal items, dry bags for cameras, 2 person tents, thermarest inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags if required, plates, cutlery, cups, gas cookers, filtered water, all meals, accommodation in beachside campsites and of course an awesome Abel Tasman Kayaks guide.
FAQS
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Environment Access Fee
Your trip includes an Environmental Access Fee which goes directly towards preserving the Abel Tasman National Park.
A portion of your ticket price goes directly towards preserving the unique environment you will enjoy on your trip in the Abel Tasman. This includes the compulsory concession fees paid to the Department of Conversation as well as voluntary contributions to local organisations and projects to improve the environment, ecology and access to the National Park. Fees are adjusted according to your trip, you can see your contribution when you purchase a ticket.
Find out more on how we are looking after this special place including our commitment to the Mārahau Pledge.
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What is the minimum age for guided kayaking?
Guided customers need to be 12+. Under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult for all tours excluding Split Apple Classic. The age for Split Apple Classic Guided is 8+ and anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult.
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Is food included on our tour?
Lunch is included in all our guided tours, except for the Split Apple Classic, making it one of the many reasons to join Abel Tasman Kayaks. Summer lunches are a freshly baked roll filled with local produce, a sweet snack and fruit. We also provide fresh plunger coffee, tea and local juice; however, drinks are not included on the Earth Sea Sky trip due to timing. In winter we offer hot seasonal soup, home made bread rolls, fresh plunger coffee and local juice. Vegetarian and dietary requirements can be catered for, please ask at time of booking. Two, Three & Five Day Classic’s & Source to Sea are fully catered. Two Day & Three Day Tiki Tour trips require some catering by you. Check out the trip description to see what meals are required.
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More FAQ’s
A full list of our FAQ’s can be found here.
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What our customers say
Great outfit, great guide (Mitchel), beautiful itinerary (3 days)
Udi Nir
3 daagse kayak trip gemaakt met deze organisatie. Mooie plekken en veel wildlife gezien aangevuld met de verhalen van de guide.
Suus van Veen
The tour is excellent. From the scenery which includes beautiful coves, cliffs, and forests, to the wildlife that includes many seals, birds, stingrays, and even orcas, to the logistics that include delicious food and modern gear. Everything just worked.
Ehud
Absolutely spectacular experience out on the 3 day classicTom was such a knowledgable and fun guide, we were even able to explore the intertidal lagoons at high tide which was unbelievably beautiful. From start to finish it was a wonderful experience and would highly recommend exploring the park with ATK!!!!
Malia Harmony Cedar
By far the best experience of our entire holiday. Whitney was a brilliant guide - relaxed, chatty and very knowledgeable on the national park and all the wildlife. Mega cook too! The scenery around the Abel Tasman is incredible. We saw dolphins, seals and sting ray in beautiful clear waters. We absolutely loved the whole experience
markmB37KD
Our kayak adventure with Able Tasman Kayaks was well managed from beginning to end. Every staff member from was friendly, helpful and efficient but Mitchell, our guide, was amazing. His ability to anticipate our needs, keep to the schedule, to provide the details we needed, to make the necessary adjustments (on the third day he provided us with a walking option that was very satifying) and to prepare healthy, delicious meals and snacks for up to 10 of us was truly amazing. The campsites were set up for us and we even had air mattresses. We are not strong paddlers so a kayak/walk/kayak may have been a better choice for us as the waves and headwind around a couple of of the points were hard but Mitchell made it work for us. Thank you Mitchell! I highly recommend Abel Tasman Kayaks for an adventure in a stunningly beautiful place.
Diavan2014












