Spend 2 blissful days on the water exploring the Astrolabe and Anchorage area.

Experience what is truly magical about the Abel Tasman – spend a stunning night camping in one of the secluded beach-side campsites.

Take time to explore the vast array of beautiful golden beaches in the forest-fringed Astrolabe Roadstead. Visit the protected Adele Island sanctuary, home to the NZ Fur Seal and a symphony of native birds. This is a favourite trip of locals and guides.

Recommended campsite: Night 1 Observation Bay or Te Pukatea Bay. Camp pass included in price which we book on your behalf.

  • Start and finish at Marahau.
  • Fully explore the Astrolabe region.
  • Check out the small islands including Pinnacle Island Seal Colony.
  • Get into the caves and lagoons on high tide.
  • Take the chance to be on dry land and check out some of the short walks in the area.
  • Finish up at our base and enjoy our base facilities including hot showers.

Hut accommodation is available for an additional cost, please contact us to arrange and camping gear can be hired at time of booking if required.

Minimum group size 2 (no solo hires).

Price

$176 NZ

Duration

2 Days

  • Check-in: 8.15 am (10.30 am, noon & 1.30 pm subject to availability) (1 Oct – 30 Apr) 9.00am (1 May – 30 Sep)
  • Open:

    1 Sept –  30 June

  • Age: Minimum 14 years, under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult on a 1 to 1 ratio
  • Food: Self catered
  • Paddling: Approximately 4 – 5 hours per day interspersed with breaks. No prior experience required
  • Includes: Kayak hire, camp pass (Abel Tasman Kayaks books on your behalf)
  • Water Taxi: No water taxi cruises
  • Bus: $70 Nelson return, $30 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times
  • Base Map

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

Adele Island / Motuareronui is a predator free sanctuary and home to species such as the South Island Robin/Toutouwai (pictured) and Saddleback/Tieke.

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

NZ fur seals Kekeno can be seen at the northern end of the island.

Seal - Abel Tasman Kayaks

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

NZ fur seals Kekeno can be seen on this island. 

Astrolabe

Paddle the sheltered waters of the Astrolabe exploring 12 beautiful beaches, caves, rocky outcrops and islands.

Abel Tasman Kayaks

Anchorage & surrounds

Paddle into the calm waters or Anchorage or drift into Torrent Bay Lagoon on a high tide. Optional short walks can be accessed from Anchorage.

Night 1

Night 1 Observation Beach (6 sites) (water access only) or Te Pukatea Bay (7 sites) (marker on Te Pukatea Bay).

No rental kayaking past the point (Shag Harbour)

Spend 2 blissful days on the water exploring the Astrolabe and Anchorage area.


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 1

    8.15am
    Check in and start your kayak rental briefing. The briefing highlights areas of interest in the Abel Tasman National Park, weather forecasts and local conditions, hazards, safety and
    self rescue.
    10.00am
    On water assessment with guide.
    10.30am
    Continue on your own to explore the Astrolabe.
    Spend the night at Observation Beach or Te Pukatea Bay.

  • Day 2

    4.00pm
    Return to Abel Tasman Kayaks’ base.

*Please note this is an estimate of timings base on a 8.15am check-in.

Preparation

Camp pass: Provided at check in.

Kayaking clothes: You’re bound to get wet when kayaking bring some quick drying clothes to paddle in. Shorts, t-shirt (long sleeves are preferable), warm top (wool/fleece), hat, sunglasses and shoes. Don’t forget your swimsuit and a towel!

Campsite clothing: Warm campsite clothing is essential for the evenings. Long pants, t-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, warm top (wool/fleece), trainers and socks, sleeping clothing, rainproof jacket.

Personal items: Such as medication, toiletries, camera (with plenty of film or memory space!), personal drinking bottle, first aid kit, torch, sunscreen and insect repellent.

We provide: Buoyancy vest, spray skirt, paddle jacket, paddle, safety emergency flares, waterproof map, water pump and a spare
paddle.

Additional items in the winter: wetsuits, wetsuit booties.

Food & water: Be sure to bring enough food for your whole journey, food tips can be found here. We recommend purchasing this before you get to Marahau. Make sure you bring plenty of fresh water with you. Filtered water is available at our base and hut sites, untreated water is available at the campsites.

Day 1: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

Cooking equipment: If you plan to cook a hot meal ensure you bring a cooker and fuel as fires are only permitted in certain parts of the park, at certain times of the year. Pots, pans, utensils, cutlery, plates and cups will also come in handy.

Camping equipment: During the evening it can become quite cool in the park so please make sure you pack a tent, camping mat and a warm sleeping bag.

FAQS

  • Can we hire/rent single kayaks?

    No. Due to the safety procedures in place, you cannot hire or rent single kayaks. The exception is if your group size is an odd number where there will be one single kayak provided along with double kayaks. E.g For a group of 3 – 1 x double kayak, and 1 x single kayak, group of 5 – 2 x double kayaks and 1 x single kayak.

  • 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 renting a kayak?

    Rental customers need to be 14+ and anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult.

  • Is food included?

    All kayak rentals & kayak & walk rentals are self catered (unless you have opted to add lunch for day 1 at time of booking) the trip description provides suggestions of meals. Be sure to bring enough food for your whole journey, food tips can be found here. We recommend purchasing this before you get to Marahau. Make sure you bring plenty of fresh water with you. Filtered water is available at our base and hut sites, untreated water is available at the campsites.  

     

  • If I am on my own can I rent a kayak?

    It’s possible to join a guided trip if you’re a solo traveller. We will pair you with another guest or a guide. No rentals are available to solo kayakers due to safety.

  • Do I need any previous kayaking experience to rent a kayak?

    While past kayaking experience is desirable, a reasonable level of camping and outdoor skills and water confidence is essential. Before you go out on a kayaking trip you are briefed by a qualified sea kayak guide who is very familiar with the park and will provide you with information about places to go, how far you are likely to get in the time you have and information on safety, weather and sea conditions.

  • Do you hire camping gear?

    Yes, from gas bottles to a full set of gear. It can be booked online at time of booking or over the phone a full list can be found here. These items are subject to availability.

  • More FAQ’s

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

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What our customers say

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

As someone who has never kayaked before I felt super safe and felt like I was sailing off with heaps of knowledge after the safety briefing. Our guide was awesome and down to earth, it was easy to ask him questions. We even ran a little bit late and we were stressed we would miss a bit of the info but they were really understanding and gave us plenty of... read more


Paradise52100984255

Great tour with Nathan giving really informative commentary throughout. We had a bonus Little Blue Penguin float calmly around the kayaks towards the end of the trip, too. So great.


BigBenMcEwan

Our family, 2 adults and 2 kids did a 4 day freedom hire trip through Abel Tasman Kayaks last week and we had the most amazing time. The double kayaks we hired were good quality fibre glass boats, our safety briefing from Tim was informative and fun and the communication from start to finish was spot on.
Abel Tasman kayaks have been around a long time and are extremely customer... read more


Karenza H

Had a half day kayak with Balveer. He was friendly and informative and catered well to the needs of our small family group. Aside from talking about the area, he was a really interesting guy just to talk to. My son loved chewing the fat with him.


mlb209

Fantastic trip. The perfect combination of professionalism and light hearted spirit.
The route was beautiful with a very knowledgeable guide. Great days exercise in a little piece of paradise.


CarolineDoe101

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

Our guides provide loads of valuable tips as part of the rental briefing.

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Our guides provide loads of valuable tips as part of the rental briefing.

There are not many places in the world where you start your trip sitting in a boat traveling down the road. ❤️ launching from Marahau.

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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.

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Where to next? ❤️ the options in the Abel Tasman.

Paddling in sync 🚣‍♂️ the perfect way to explore the Abel Tasman.

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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? 🐬🛶

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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.

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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. 🏝️🗺️

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Islands stealing the foreground, and there are three waiting to be explored in the Abel Tasman. 🏝️🗺️

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