4 Day Freedom

This four day round trip allows you to explore the park in depth at your own pace.

After a comprehensive safety briefing at our Marahau base you’ll spend the next four days exploring the national park in the latest design packhorse express kayak.

You won’t find a better boat anywhere and with four days up your sleeve you will get to experience the very best of the Abel Tasman coastline. The big advantage of this trip is you get to visit all the nooks and crannies of this fabulous granite coastline with the added advantage of the opportunity to explore them again on your homeward journey. Come back in awe that nature managed to pack so much beauty into this one little piece of paradise.

Recommended campsites: Night 1: Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage. Night 2: Onetahuti or Mosquito Bay. Night 3: Bark Bay or Anchorage. Camp passes included in price which we book on your behalf.

Explore the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and its surrounds you can go as far as Shag Harbour.
Wake up at any campsite and hear the New Zealand dawn chorus.
Allow time to rest your paddle and explore by foot some of the coastal track.
Seek out all the points of interest that are on our rental maps.
On your return paddle revisit your favourite spots or explore the ones you missed on the way North.
Enjoy our purpose built base facilities, which include a hot shower, on your return.

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

$317 NZ pp

Duration

4 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
Includes: Kayak hire, 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
Bus: $70 Nelson return, $30 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times

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.

Astrolabe

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

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.

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Explore the forest fringes granite coastline and tidal estuaries.

Tonga Island

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

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Explore the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and its surrounds you can go as far as Shag Harbour (pictured).

Night 1

Te Pukatea Bay Campsite (marker) (7 sites) or Anchorage Campsite (50 sites).

Night 2

Mosquito Bay Campsite (20 sites) (marker) (water access only) or Onetahuti Bay Campsite (20 sites).

Pinnacle Island

NZ fur seals Kekeno can be seen on this island.

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”.

Night 3

Bark Bay (marker) (40 sites) or Anchorage (50 sites).

No rental kayaking past this point (Shag Harbour)

On your return paddle revisit your favourite spots or explore the ones you missed on the way North.

Full Park Map

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.

10.30am

Explore the park for the next four days.

Spend the night at Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage.
Day 2

Spend the night at Onetahuti or Mosquito Bay.
Day 3

Spend the night at Bark Bay or Anchorage.
Day 4

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	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
Dinner	Lunch	Dinner
Snacks	Snacks	Snacks	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.

What our customers say

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 read less

Karenza H

Price

Duration

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Astrolabe

Anchorage & surrounds

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Tonga Island

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Night 1

Night 2

Pinnacle Island

Kaka

Night 3

No rental kayaking past this point (Shag Harbour)

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Preparation

FAQS

Kayak Rentals

4 Day Park Start

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5 Day Freedom

What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

4 Day Freedom

Price

Duration

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Astrolabe

Anchorage & surrounds

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Tonga Island

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Night 1

Night 2

Pinnacle Island

Kaka

Night 3

No rental kayaking past this point (Shag Harbour)

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Preparation

FAQS

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What our customers say

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