5 Day Freedom

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).

Price

$376 NZ pp

Duration

5 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 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

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, 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.

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)

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

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.

What our customers say

Ontzettend genoten. Gekozen om s’ochtends een halve dag te kayakken en dan naar Anchorage te lopen en daar de pithol-loop te doen. Goede begeleiding en tijd ook voor gezelligheid, goede lunch gehad. Hoop info mee over Abel Tasman en de eilandjes. Zelfs wat seals gezien. Top.

652edwinh

Our guide was excellent, we had a fantastic time kayaking in the Tasman Sea. The scenery is beautiful, the kayaking great. Love the rock formations and the history of the area. Very interesting. We opted out of kayaking over to seal island as it was windy and rough. After kayaking we had coffee on the beach and hiked over to another beach to sail back... read more read less

Kristin B

We did the whole day Soul Food tour and it was one of the best things I've ever done. As a novice kayaker I felt safe and our guide gave us great tips, clear instructions and had a lot of knowledge to share about the area. We saw loads of birdlife and the beautiful kekeno/NZ fur seals swimming near us were a massive highlight. The provided lunch was delicious too.... read more read less

bunsforlife

Had a great day out kayaking with our guide, Amber. The day was perfect, I didn't even notice time passing just enjoyed every moment and never felt like any aspect of the day was too rushed or too long. The lunch provided was delicious and we took our time kayaking around Adele island talking about the history, wildlife, and seal spotting. Sounds like there is always something going on there... read more read less

975caitlinf

Amazing guided kayak day with our guide Traf, with ample viewings of wildlife and nature, including stingrays, native New Zealand birds, fur seals and wekas. Our kids are 13, 11, and 8 so we worried that a full day of kayaking would be tiering, but we found the level very doable. We had planned ahead of time to have a half day of kayaking and a half day of walking... read more read less

Leonie

We did a trip for 5 days walking to Awaroa lodge for a day and than guided 3 day kayak trip back to Maharau
This trip will be always remembered as we made many memories
The team at ABT did a great job with customizing the trip and we had a great guide in Whitey
Throughly recommend this experience

Andyoto

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

Price

Duration

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Astrolabe

Anchorage & surrounds

Pinnacle Island

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Kaka

Tonga Island

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

Explore the lagoons

Night 2 & 3

Night 1 & 4

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day2

Day 3

Day 4

Preparation

FAQS

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What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

5 Day Freedom

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

Price

Duration

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Astrolabe

Anchorage & surrounds

Pinnacle Island

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Kaka

Tonga Island

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

Explore the lagoons

Night 2 & 3

Night 1 & 4

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day2

Day 3

Day 4

Preparation

FAQS

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Kayak Rentals, Walking Tours

5 Day Kayak & Walk North

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What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

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