Start in the park at Onetahuti and paddle south back to Marahau over three magnificent sun and sea kissed days!

Start with a safety briefing in Marahau before catching the water taxi up to Onetahuti beach.  

Spend the next three days exploring the coastline. Travelling South with the sea breeze assisting your paddling makes for a memorable trip. There is  much beauty from start to finish in this natural paradise. The forest fringed coastline is the perfect backdrop for an adventure.

Recommended campsites: Night 1: Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay. Night 2: Observation Beach or Te Pukatea Bay. Camp passes 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 you can go as far as Shag Harbour.
  • Take the time to watch the lagoons change with the tide.
  • Allow time to walk some of the side tracks.
  • Pull up at campsites that can only be accessed by kayak.
  • 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 time of booking if required.

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

Price

$255pp

Duration

3 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 Nov – 31 Mar. On request outside of these times
  • Base Map - Abel Tasman Kayaks

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.

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
    Spend the night at Te PukatArrive for your afternoon exploring the Tonga Island surrounds.
    Spend the night at Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay.

  • Day 2

    Spend the night at Observation Beach or Te Pukatea Bay.

  • Day 3

    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
Day 3: 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

  • 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 and our Covid-19 ones here

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What our customers say

We booked the Park Start which is a 3 day and 2 night trip which starts by taking a water taxi up to the Northern part of the National park where you’re dropped off enabling you to kayak back to Marahau with the wind behind you! The kayaks are spacious with lots of room for tent, other camping equipment and clothes for the trip, and the compartments in the boat... read more


stefsabb

We had a great 3 days in the national park with Abke Tasman Kayaks. We were dropped off at the northern end of the park and paddled back slowly of the 3 days. The team was welcoming from the start, helpful with itinerary and showing us the equipment. Great maps and the boat skipper was very friendly and pointed all the spots along the way. Nightly recommend.


707philg

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