Price

$376 NZ pp

Duration

5 Days

Camping overnight is what’s special about the Abel Tasman – it will rejuvenate the soul.

Our longest packaged trip, five days exploring from Marahau to Shag Harbour.

As kayak rentals is the sole focus of our business this makes us uniquely experienced in preparing you for your big adventure through our renowned safety briefing. This covers everything: from packing, kayak technique, weather and planning/modifying the journey, stowage and sea-conditions, map interpretation, to those important emergency procedures. On top of that our guides will provide you with all the pointers for making this an unforgettable five day adventure.  Five days allows you to take your time travelling up the park, and the opportunity to stay at one campsite for a couple of nights – we think this is the way to do it.  Long sun kissed summer days merge into long summer evenings – enjoy the dusk and dawn bird chorus as you contemplate your day.

Recommended campsites: Night 1: Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage. Night 2: Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay. Night 3: Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay.  Night 4: Anchorage or Te Pukatea Bay. Camp passes included in price which we book on your behalf.

  • Return journey under your own steam.
  • Opportunity to stay more than one night in a campsite.
  • Time allows you to see lagoons on different tides.
  • Seek out the spots our knowledgeable guides filled you in on at your briefing.
  • Enjoy having five days on the water.
  • On your return paddle revisit your favourite spots or explore the ones you missed on the way North.
  • Enjoy our base facilities on completion of your trip.

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).

Print Itinerary
  • 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 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, 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: 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

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)

Enjoy the dusk and dawn bird chorus as you contemplate your days camping at various campsites.

Explore the lagoons

Torrent Bay Lagoon, Sandfly Bay, Frenchman Bay & Shag Harbour (marker & image) are all great places to explore on a high tide.

Night 2 & 3

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

Night 1 & 4

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


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
    Continue on your own to explore the Abel Tasman.
    Spend the night at Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage.

  • Day2

    Spend the night at Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay.

    Day 3

    Spend the night at Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay.

  • Day 4

    Spend the night at Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage.
    Day 5
    4.00pm
    Return to Abel Tasman Kayaks’ base.

*Please note this is an estimate of timings and based on our summer 8.15am check-in. There may be times when this trip will be reversed.

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 Day 5
Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast Breakfast
Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch Lunch
Dinner  Dinner Dinner Dinner
Snacks 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.

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What our customers say

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

We had a brilliant time on our Abel Tasman Kayaks trip. We had Darryl looking after our group (my partner and me, a family and a single). He was very competent, entertaining and also really knowledgeable about the birdlife, bush, sealife and history of the area. He also adapted the day based on the conditions to ensure we had the best possible time. The kayaks were in good nick... read more


laura_25252

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

I booked the Earth, Sea, and Sky tour. If you want to explore the scenic Abel Tasman national park, Abel Tasman Kayaks is the company to do it with, plus they have various tours! The tour starts off in Torrent Bay (via water taxi) and you walk to Barker Bay (bring hiking shoes) where you'll see various bays, plants, wildlife, and other beautiful scenery. At Barker Bay, they had additional... read more


Travel Dude

Totally recommend. Thx Moose!! Wonderful kayak instructor, educator and all round lovely person and thanx Wally and Chris plus the lovely person who provides lunch! We loved our experience. Not so much Awaroa lodge.
Thx team


NZfoodie2014

Fantastische ervaring met zeer betrokken gidsen, die weten waar ze het over hebben en dicht bij de natuur staan. Een droom dag gehad!


jaccovputten

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Drifting in the Abel Tasman.

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Drifting in the Abel Tasman.

Between Marahau and Anchorage, you’ll find a lot of stunning beaches just waiting to be explored! Whether by kayak or on foot, each one offers its own slice of paradise.

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Between Marahau and Anchorage, you’ll find a lot of stunning beaches just waiting to be explored! Whether by kayak or on foot, each one offers its own slice of paradise.

Moss & Lichen might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Abel Tasman, but this park is home to some pretty impressive species.

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Moss & Lichen might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Abel Tasman, but this park is home to some pretty impressive species.

The quick way to get home 👏

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The quick way to get home 👏

The wilding pine project (the dead trees in the picture) will allow the native bush to regenerate and provide habitat more suited for our native species.

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The wilding pine project (the dead trees in the picture) will allow the native bush to regenerate and provide habitat more suited for our native species.

No better place to unpack—whether it’s your kayak, or your thoughts 🤓

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No better place to unpack—whether it’s your kayak, or your thoughts 🤓

Ever noticed how the water in the Abel Tasman seems to change its shade? 🌊☀️ The weather plays a big role—sunshine brings out vibrant turquoise tones, while overcast days create a deeper, moodier hue. No matter the weather, it’s always stunning!

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Ever noticed how the water in the Abel Tasman seems to change its shade? 🌊☀️ The weather plays a big role—sunshine brings out vibrant turquoise tones, while overcast days create a deeper, moodier hue. No matter the weather, it’s always stunning!

Getting there by water taxi ..... 🚤

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Getting there by water taxi ..... 🚤

Camping in the Abel Tasman ❤️

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Camping in the Abel Tasman ❤️

The Abel Tasman coastline has a lot of variety. In some spots, the lush bushline is down to the sea, while in others, it steps back. No matter where you are, it’s always spectacular. ✨🏞️

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The Abel Tasman coastline has a lot of variety. In some spots, the lush bushline is down to the sea, while in others, it steps back. No matter where you are, it’s always spectacular. ✨🏞️

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