Fur seals are found along the coast of the park, particularly on the more remote granite headlands of Tonga Island.

Explore this gem first before heading one way down the park.

After a safety briefing in Marahau take a water taxi up to your start point, Onetahuti beach. From here  spend the afternoon of day one and all of day two exploring the coastline with the breeze at your back.  This is a cool trip that covers 25km of coastline over 2 days.  For the real explorers add on a few more kilometres for those side trips into the lagoons and rivers.  It’s a really fun 2 days.

Recommended campsite: Bark Bay. Camp pass included in price which we book on your behalf.

  • Enjoy the luxury of kayaking one way with the sea breeze.
  • Don’t paddle the same coastline twice!
  • Explore the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and its surrounds.
  • Spend the night at Bark Bay.
  • If the tide is right on day two allow time to explore the lagoons and inlets between Bark Bay and Anchorage.
  • Cruise past Adele Island on your way back to Marahau.

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

Minimum group size 2 (no solo hires). During May to Sept the sea breeze changes to a South to North pattern, we run this trip in reverse.

Price

$264 NZ pp

Duration

2 Days

  • Check-in: 8.15 am (1 Oct – 30 Apr) 9.00 am (1 May – 31 May)
  • Open: 1 Oct – 31 May
  • Age: Minimum 14 years, under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult on a 1 to 1 ratio
  • Includes: Kayak hire, kayak transfer, passenger transfer and camp pass (Abel Tasman Kayaks books on your behalf)
  • Food: Self catered
  • Paddling: Approximately 4 – 5 hours per day interspersed with breaks. No prior experience required
  • Water Taxi: One water taxi cruise
  • 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

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 of Anchorage or drift into Torrent Bay Lagoon on a high tide. Optional short walks can be accessed from Anchorage.

 

Pinnacle Island

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Explore the forest fringed granite coastline and tidal estuaries.

 

Kaka

Kaka New Zealand’s native parrot have been reintroduced to Bark Bay. They are often heard before they are seen, listen out for their call a harsh, repeated, rhythmic “ka-aa”.

Tonga Island

NZ fur seals Kekeno can be seen on Tonga Island, Tonga Island is in the Marine Reserve.

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

After being dropped by water taxi, enjoy the luxury of kayaking one way with the sea breeze.

Paddle up to beaches that can only be accessed by kayak.

Abel Tasman Kayaks

Night 1

Bark Bay (marker) (40 sites) or Mosquito Bay (20 sites) (water access only).


Departure Times

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

Note the Department of Conservation applies a pricing system that varies depending on residency status.

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.
    11.30am
    Water taxi up to Onetahuti.
    12.30pm
    Arrive for your afternoon exploring the Tonga Island surrounds and down to Bark Bay.
    Spend the night at Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay.

  • Day 2

    Kayak back to Marahau.
    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

Abel Tasman Kayaks have a great interactive online website that caters for all possible adventures whether that's hiking, kayaking or both that vary in duration. The itineraries are clear with the option explore the upper bay area like Tongas Arches (must see). Our camp site was already orgabised by Abel Tasman Kayaks which left us with one job, enjoy the experience! There is plenty of room in the kayak itself... read more


jovitapw

We hired kayaks and used the park start service to take us into the park to start our trip and book our camping. Our briefing and assessment prior to the trip with Georgia was excellent. Very thorough and informative.Kayak drop off by boat, camp spot and beach pick up we’re brilliant Great experience Thank you Chris and Liane (Uk) Feb 2023


Liane Llewellyn H

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

Many of our trips conclude at Anchorage by the end of the day. 🌅🚣‍♂️ its also a great place to spend a night in the park.

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Many of our trips conclude at Anchorage by the end of the day. 🌅🚣‍♂️ its also a great place to spend a night in the park.

Exploring the park on your own.

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Exploring the park on your own.

Split Apple Rock is just around the corner from our base, waiting to be explored.

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Split Apple Rock is just around the corner from our base, waiting to be explored.

This is one of our favorite photos ever! 📸❤️

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This is one of our favorite photos ever! 📸❤️

Whether you`re a seasoned kayaker or a first-timer, we make sure the paddling is easy and fun for everyone!

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Whether you're a seasoned kayaker or a first-timer, we make sure the paddling is easy and fun for everyone!

Only 6 months to the longest day! Bring on Summer!

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Only 6 months to the longest day! Bring on Summer!

One of our team members demonstrating the correct use of a dry bag. 📸 Cameras are welcome on all our trips, so you can capture every moment!

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One of our team members demonstrating the correct use of a dry bag. 📸 Cameras are welcome on all our trips, so you can capture every moment!

Awaroa is one of the many stunning beaches we launch our kayak trips from, situated right on the edge of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. 🚣‍♂️

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Awaroa is one of the many stunning beaches we launch our kayak trips from, situated right on the edge of the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. 🚣‍♂️

It may be the smallest national park, but it`s got a lot of coastline to explore. ❤️ the Abel Tasman National Park.

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It may be the smallest national park, but it's got a lot of coastline to explore. ❤️ the Abel Tasman National Park.

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