Want to see Split Apple Rock?

An afternoon rental is the way to get there.

Explore Split Apple Rock, sea caves, the shag (Cormorant) colony and Nagio Island before returning to Marahau.

  • Explore the coastline from Marahau to Split Apple Rock.
  • Paddle at your own pace.
  • Drift into caves on a high tide.
  • Stretch your legs on the beach and take that perfect picture of Split Apple Rock.

Minimum group size 2 (no solo hires).

Price

$75pp

Duration

1/2 Day

  • Check-in: 8.15am & 12 noon
  • Open: 1 Oct – 30 Apr
  • Age: Minimum 14 years, under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult on a 1 to 1 ratio
  • Food: Lunch can be provided for $25pp or bring your own
  • Includes: Kayak hire
  • Paddling: Approximately 1.5 hours interspersed with breaks. No prior experience required
  • Water Taxi: No water taxi cruises

Departure Times

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

Risk Disclosure: For an understanding of the potential risks please click here and read before you book.

Itinerary

  • 12 noon
    Check in and meet your guide for your briefing.
    12.45 pm
    Head out to Split Apple Rock and explore the surrounds.
    4.00 pm
    Arrive Abel Tasman Kayaks base.

What to bring

Please bring personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimwear, warm top (wool or fleece), wind jacket, a change of clothes, cameras and any medication.

We Provide

A double kayak, 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.

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

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

Earth, sea and sky is the perfect way to experience the beauty of Abel Tasman national park.
Our guides were the perfect mix of funny, friendly and knowledgeable. There are a handful of companies that offer a similar sort of trip, we chose this one from advice from a local, and have no regrets. Perfect way to spend a day.


anthonyrobinson

We all knew that the trip would be special when we needed more coffee and salami on the first day, and our humble guide Roy (or “Lolli” in Australian) announced that we would be getting “better than average” salami after being grilled about the quality. Our 3-day classic was completely brilliant, with excellent company, excellent food, excellent weather, excellent adventures, and better than average salami (which was excellent too). Roy... read more


ivanovbt

An adventure activity needs to balance two things a sense of energised fun with a serious attitude towards safety.

ATK is always fun to work with the teams have a great sense of humour and make the day a positive and highly personable experience from the moment you check-in. to the moment you leave. In other words, is a classic Kiwi experience. However, that is tempered with providing timely instruction...
read more


Michelle J

Find the time to put this trip on your bucket list, but more importantly make the time to take the trip so it's not on the list anymore. We did the 5 day kayak trip with ATK- Kyle was our guide and I can't think of a way we could have enjoyed the trip more.(oh, wait ...if I had zero sandfly bites...) Not Kyle's fault and still not a detractor... read more


Peter C

Absolutely loved it❤️ I had never ever done Kayaking and got into it as my birthday gift from Sachin, my husband.
Amazing, spectacular and must do !! Excellent well organised and fantastic location with great guides like Whitey and Georgia who were patient and skilled. Loved all the local stories Whitey shared with us….

Would rate this is the best adventure to date I have done read more


Smita and Sachi... S

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

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. ✨🏞️
Help out this great project @projectjanszoon  are running.

Robin (kakaruai or toutouwai) are making a comeback in the Abel Tasman National Park. After an absence of about 30 years they’re now being seen occasionally on the coast track. 
 
Project Janzoon have just launched their citizen science project – Report a robin – in order to get people telling us about their robin sightings, and talking about the wonderful birdlife in the Park.
 
If you have been or about to go in the park report your sightings via the Abel Tasman App – Have you seen this section ; or via www.janszoon.org/reportarobin ;  Jot down the nearest trap number, looking for the numbered triangles.
Waking up on a beautiful beach - what's not to love, especially if someone has made you a cuppa!
The Abel Tasman National Park is teeming with wildlife, from the playful NZ fur seals to the charismatic kākā. 🐦🦭 Head to the northern section of the park for a chance to encounter these unique, endemic New Zealand treasures in their natural habitat!
We're nearly a quarter of the way through the century—2025 starts tomorrow! 🎉 Is exploring the stunning Abel Tasman on your bucket list for the year ahead?
Did you know there are two main islands in the Abel Tasman to explore, Adele Island & Tonga Island but there are a few more unknown one's that are fun to kayak past.
Merry Christmas from the team at Abel Tasman Kayaks. 🎄
Marahau boasts one of the largest tidal ranges in New Zealand! 🌊 This unique feature adds an extra layer of adventure to every kayak trip that includes a water taxi as you experience the dynamic rhythm of the tides during your landing and departure.
Embracing that 'yes' moment .... ❤🛶
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