From Marahau to Bark Bay, Earth, Sea & Sky packs a lot into one day.

Experience the famous Falls River Swing Bridge by foot and an afternoon paddling in the Astrolabe.

Your day kicks off with a Water Taxi ride to Torrent Bay. Begin your unguided walk from Torrent Bay as the track gradually climbs, then meanders around two valleys and above an inlet, eventually leading to Falls River.  Falls River is crossed via a remarkable 47-meter suspension bridge, a real highlight of this trip. Beyond the suspension bridge crossing, the trail winds through lush coastal forest before descending back to sea level at Bark Bay. Enjoy a freshly made lunch at Bark Bay, before being picked up by the water taxi.

Relax on-board the water taxi taking in the coastal views and the path just walked.  Upon reaching Observation Beach meet the kayak guide. On the second leg of this adventure, experience twelve exquisite beaches, awe-inspiring rock formations, and chances to encounter a playful seal or two from your kayak. Conditions permitting, there’s a chance to harness the afternoon sea breeze and kayak-sail your way back to Marahau.

We offer three combinations of walking and kayaking adventures in the southern end of the Abel Tasman. One alternative option is the Kayak & Pitt Head Nature Loop, which encompasses Anchorage and surrounds and the other is Kayak and Walk from Marahau to Marahau which retraces its own path.

Paddling is our business, with all activities supported by our purpose-built kayak base, offering complimentary showers, wifi, gear storage & client transporters. We also provide high-quality soft gear – fitted for each client by our guides and high-quality hard gear – customised for comfort for each client.

On this trip covering the Astrolabe coastline you have a professional guide with you for around 4 hours sharing their knowledge and passion of the Abel Tasman. We also cater  lunch designed around your health and energy.

Every trip is unique like each of our clients.

Price

$250

Duration

1 Day

  • Check-in: 8.15 am
  • Open: 1 Oct – 31 May
  • Age: Minimum 12 years, under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult on a 1 to 1 ratio
  • Food: Includes lunch
  • Paddling: Approximately 2 hours interspersed with breaks. No prior experience required
  • Abel Tasman Great Walk: Approximately 2.5 hours
  • Water Taxi: Two water taxi cruises
  • Bus: $70 Nelson return, $30 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times

Departure Times

Your trip includes an Environmental Access Fee which goes directly towards preserving the Abel Tasman National Park.

 

Itinerary

  • 8.15 am
    Check in and meet your guide. Your guide will provide you with lunch and a map for your morning walk.
    8.30 am
    Water Taxi to Torrent Bay.
  • 9.15 am
    Walk from Torrent Bay to Bark Bay. Approx 2.5 hrs 7.7 km.
    12.45 pm
    Water Taxi from Bark Bay to Observation Beach.
  • 1.00 pm
    Meet your guide at Observation Beach for your kayak briefing.
    1.30 pm
    Kayak from Observation
    Beach back to Marahau. If conditions permit sail back home. Kayak approx 2 hrs with breaks.
    4.00 pm
    Arrive back in Marahau.

*Please note: These are an estimate of timings.

What to Bring

Please bring personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimsuit, warm top (wool or fleece), wind jacket, walking shoes, a change of clothes, cameras and any medication.

We Provide

A double kayak, buoyancy vest, paddle, spray skirt, paddle jacket, dry bags for cameras and of course an awesome Abel Tasman Kayaks guide.

FAQS

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Is food included on our tour?

    Lunch is included on all our guided tours except the Split Apple Classic. It is one of the great reasons to go on a trip with Abel Tasman Kayaks. Summer lunches are a freshly baked roll filled with local produce, a sweet snack, fruit, fresh plunger coffee and local juice.  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.    

  • More FAQ’s

    A full list of our FAQ’s can be found here.

What our customers say

I booked the Earth, Sea, and Sky tour. If you want to explore the scenic Abel Tasman national park, Abel Tasman Kayaks is the company to do it with, plus they have various tours! The tour starts off in Torrent Bay (via water taxi) and you walk to Barker Bay (bring hiking shoes) where you'll see various bays, plants, wildlife, and other beautiful scenery. At Barker Bay, they had additional... read more


Travel Dude

We did this day in early October and had a fabulous time. The whole process was smooth and hassle free, the gear was good and the packed lunch (with coffee!) was delicious.Our guide (Awatea) did a great job of briefing us, getting us going out on the water, and sharing information about the area. The seals were an unexpected bonus.We were then shuttled to the start of our walk on... read more


NParley

We had a superb day in Abel Tasman. The team went out of their way to make the experience a great one. We Kayaked first due to tides, with Awatea as our kayak guide. He was knowledgeable about the area, and he kept us entertained throughout the trip. We had a fabulous picnic lunch and then got shuttled by boat to walk from Torrent Bay to... read more


Rowena E

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

There are not many places in the world where you start your trip sitting in a boat traveling down the road. ❤️ launching from Marahau.
Where to next? ❤️ the options in the Abel Tasman.
Paddling in sync 🚣‍♂️ the perfect way to explore the Abel Tasman.
Happy Leap Day! Perhaps these kayakers are catching a glimpse of dolphins leaping on this special day? 🐬🛶
Enjoying lunch and a coffee in the Abel Tasman.
Islands stealing the foreground, and there are three waiting to be explored in the Abel Tasman. 🏝️🗺️
Blue skies and granite coastline ❤️ the Abel Tasman.
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