This is our most environmentally friendly tour.

The highlight of this trip is visiting Adele Island sanctuary, home to an array of protected native birds and a popular hang out for NZ fur seals.

A cacophony of bird sound is unique to the Island thanks to the work of the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust. A portion of your ticket price also goes to supporting their work. This trip is 100% paddle power which also helps reduce your carbon footprint. The forest-fringed Astrolabe is a stunning place to explore and it also offers the highest concentration of golden sandy beaches in the Abel Tasman. Simply an amazing day covering all the special elements the Abel Tasman offers.If conditions permit, kayak-sail back into Marahau on the afternoon sea breeze.

Paddling is our business, with all activities supported by our purpose-built kayak base, free hot showers, free wifi, free equipment 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 8 hours sharing their knowledge and passion of the Abel Tasman. We also cater morning tea and lunch designed around your health and energy.

Every trip is unique like each of our clients.

If you are interested in this trip please phone us on 03 527 8022 to make a booking.

Price

$190pp

Duration

1 Day

  • Check-in: 8.15 am
  • Open: 1 Oct – 30 Apr
  • 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 4 hours interspersed with breaks. No prior experience required
  • Abel Tasman Great Walk: No
  • Water Taxi: No water taxi cruises
  • Bus: $70 Nelson return, $30 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times

Itinerary

  • 8.15am
    Check in and meet your guide.
    8.30am
    Kayak briefing.
  • 9.00am
    Kayak from Marahau to Marahau. Total kayak time approx 5 hrs with breaks.
    12.30pm
    Enjoy lunch at one of the stunning Astrolabe beaches.
  • 4.00pm
    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, 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

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 more


bunsforlife

Luisa was a fantastic guide! She was not only informative with the history & sites, she was fun to be with.
Also turned our kayaking adventure into a sailing one!


dstewartkmg365

Our guide was excellent, we had a fantastic time kayaking in the Tasman Sea. The scenery is beautiful, the kayaking great. Love the rock formations and the history of the area. Very interesting. We opted out of kayaking over to seal island as it was windy and rough. After kayaking we had coffee on the beach and hiked over to another beach to sail back... read more


Kristin B

Had a great day out kayaking with our guide, Amber. The day was perfect, I didn't even notice time passing just enjoyed every moment and never felt like any aspect of the day was too rushed or too long. The lunch provided was delicious and we took our time kayaking around Adele island talking about the history, wildlife, and seal spotting. Sounds like there is always something going on there... read more


975caitlinf

I had a great kayak day tour. Kayaking was the best choice for exercise and to go into the national park and see the wildlife. Our guide Nathan knew many details about all the birds and wildlife and history of the park!! He took great care of us. Lunch stop at the beach was amazing. I would have loved to see even more from the park and kayak further.


Kathikmann

An adventure activity needs to balance two things a sense of energised fun with a serious attitude towards safety.

ATK is always fun to work with the teams have a great sense of humour and make the day a positive and highly personable experience from the moment you check-in. to the moment you leave. In other words, is a classic Kiwi experience. However, that is tempered with providing timely instruction...
read more


Michelle J

#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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