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 completely in the natural wonders of the Abel Tasman National Park. Be wowed by the night sky, the milky way is truly amazing in the park. Enjoy drifting to sleep listening to the waves before waking up to bird song. It’s a relaxing, content-rich, fully catered, beach side camping experience.
Kayak the coastline from beautiful Awaroa in the North back to Marahau. The northern section of the park is expansive and spectacular, and is a tranquil haven to explore. As you venture through the middle of the park, you’ll encounter serene lagoons and intriguing rocky outcrops. At the end of day two arrive back to Marahau.
Kirsten from Bearfoot Theory blogged about our Classic trips read her personal account of her trip with Abel Tasman Kayaks.You can also view her journey from her video below.
Paddling is our business, with all activities supported by our purpose-built kayak base, complimentary hot showers, wifi, 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 coastline from Awaroa to Marahau you have a professional guide with you for 2 days sharing their knowledge and passion of the Abel Tasman. We also cater all meals designed around your health and energy.
Every trip is unique like each of our clients.
Please note this trip may vary depending on tides and group sizes. We have set a summer schedule but are flexible outside of our Tues/Sat departures, please contact us directly for alternate options.
Price
$699pp
Duration
2 Days
- Check-in: 8.15 am
- Age: Minimum 12 years, under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult on a 1 to 1 ratio
- Open: 2024 | Departs Sat – Nov & Apr, Tues & Sat Dec – Mar | 2025 | Departs Tues – Nov, Dec & Mar – Tues & Sat, Jan & Feb – Tues, Thurs & Sat. 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: Two water taxi cruises
- Bus: $70 Nelson return, $30 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times
Departure Times
Please note the Department of Conservation apply differential pricing between 1st October and 30th April. If you are a New Zealand resident choose the New Zealand Resident price, if you are an International Visitor choose International Visitor price.
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
-
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 Bark Bay. Total kayak time approx 4.5 hrs including lunch and breaks.
4.30 pmArrive Bark Bay area.
5.00 pmSet up camp site.
7.00 pmDinner and dessert.
-
Day Two
8.00 amBreakfast.
9.00 amDecamp.
9.30 amKayak from Bark Bay area to Marahau. Total kayak time approx 5 hrs with breaks.
12.00 pmEnjoy lunch in the Anchorage area.
4.00 pmArrive back in Marahau.
-
Sample Menu
Day One
Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks freshly baked roll filled with local produce.
Dinner: Mediterranean pasta.
Day Two
Breakfast: Muesli and fruit and/or toasted bagels.
Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks pita pockets.
*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, 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, 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
-
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.
Other trips you may like
What our customers say
Loved every minute of this trip! These guys are super organized and friendly. Everything was sorted and the guides were awesome and very experienced. Time went by so fast. Wish I had done the 5- day tour!
nzfoodi
It was very good and funny with Ian and molly. Ian has a lot of interesting knowledges about the flora and fauna of the island around this spot.
Caroline R
I had a great tour with Abel Tasman Kayaks. All the staff I met at the base were great, and the guide for my kayaking - Gareth - was very friendly and informative. It was awesome that we got a ride on a tractor to get to the beach with the kayaks. The kayaking part of the tour was my favourite, Gareth gave some awesome commentary and stayed at the... read moreI had a great tour with Abel Tasman Kayaks. All the staff I met at the base were great, and the guide for my kayaking - Gareth - was very friendly and informative. It was awesome that we got a ride on a tractor to get to the beach with the kayaks. The kayaking part of the tour was my favourite, Gareth gave some awesome commentary and stayed at the pace of the group which meant no one got left behind. We also got to go across to Adele Island, and see some seals!
The lunch was delicious (maybe one of the best tour lunches Ive had!).
The walk back was good as we could go at our own pace, and go in to the little bays along the way and explore. read less
briohnyp
Such a great way to spend a day! The hike to Observation beach was great with lots of spots to view the ocean and beaches along the way. Lunch was excellent; I am so impressed with how tasty it was, especially since it was so simple. Our guide Louisa was helpful, knowledgeable and clear in her instructions and was also super friendly, really enjoyed chatting to her along the way.... read moreSuch a great way to spend a day! The hike to Observation beach was great with lots of spots to view the ocean and beaches along the way. Lunch was excellent; I am so impressed with how tasty it was, especially since it was so simple. Our guide Louisa was helpful, knowledgeable and clear in her instructions and was also super friendly, really enjoyed chatting to her along the way. The wind was in our favour so it was a nice easy kayak and we could really enjoy the views. Equipment provided was excellent and well cared for and instructions on its use were clear and helpful. Please give the staff a hand loading and unloading the kayaks if asked, my friend and I were really disappointed that most of our group ignored this request and left straight away. With a few sets of hands it’s not difficult!
Highly recommend this as a great way to see the National Park from a few different perspectives. read less
Sophielouwho
Find the time to put this trip on your bucket list, but more importantly make the time to take the trip so it's not on the list anymore. We did the 5 day kayak trip with ATK- Kyle was our guide and I can't think of a way we could have enjoyed the trip more.(oh, wait ...if I had zero sandfly bites...) Not Kyle's fault and still not a detractor... read moreFind the time to put this trip on your bucket list, but more importantly make the time to take the trip so it's not on the list anymore. We did the 5 day kayak trip with ATK- Kyle was our guide and I can't think of a way we could have enjoyed the trip more.(oh, wait ...if I had zero sandfly bites...) Not Kyle's fault and still not a detractor for this wonderful trip. I kayak in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and have wanted to explore this part of New Zealand for years. I had a hard time trying to decide if the three day or five day trip would be best....Soooo glad that I booked the five day and would tell anyone thinking about this experience to find the extra two days in your life and commit to the 5 day trip. It really let us explore so much more of the park and the actual paddling was not difficult if you have done at least some paddling before hand. If you paddle regularly than you'd be silly to not take the five day trip. My other concerns going in were the food, and that the itinerary seemed quite vague on all the websites from ATK. Well both of those concerns were a joke looking back. I'd guess most people gain a few kilos on the trip as the food was really well done, lots of options, and even more quantity than eveyone in our trip would ever eat.(Pretty much every dinner Kyle would have to go find hungry backpackers to share our extra's with)(Find hungry backpackers was never a problem!). The itinerary concern I was creating in my head, I'm embarrassed to say I should have figured out in advance. The reason is that the guides for the five day trips have their act together and balance the trip to weather, tides, ability of the group, etc... and then due to a high number of places to go and camp- take you to the best places based on all the data. I spoke with many other people about if how our group operated was unique (no), if the other guides were as good (yes) (however I'm keen to think Kyle was phenomenal anyway). We had great weather for the entire trip, wind was a factor a couple times, but our guide Kyle adjusted his timing and it all worked out. Other key parts that make this a 5/5; The shuttle bus driver was already waiting for us on our early morning pick up from Nelson..and we were early, he was also very professional and fun. The office staff were quick to provide answers to questions from pre trip, to check in, to departure afterwards. The nice little food kiosk on site had great coffee to help launch us, and they had nice treats to eat after the journey. The equipment was in decent condition and the guide was very well equipped with supplies, radio, and plans for pretty much anything. I brought along several friends on this trip and ATK made this trip exceptional for everyone of us. I really could not say enough complementary things about how well organized, thoughtful, prepared, and professional their team we experienced was. Best use of five days of my life ever!
Highlights- Our guide Kyle and the trainee( he had for first day and a half), food, variety of marine life, swimming, clean toilets at campsites. read less
Peter C
Our guide was great, super knowledgeable and brought lots of positive energy.
The views were amazing, we saw lots of wildlife and with the high tide we paddled through 3 beautiful lagoons.
The lunch was also delicious!
Saraandaaron