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 $20pp 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
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12 noonCheck in and meet your guide for your briefing.12.45 pmHead out to Split Apple Rock and explore the surrounds.4.00 pmArrive Abel Tasman Kayaks base.
What to bring
Please bring personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimsuit, 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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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More FAQ’s
A full list of our FAQ’s can be found here.
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What our customers say
One day walk and 2 days kayaking. Lucky enough to have Dez as a guide - genuinely the best guide I’ve had. Funny, intuitive and so knowledgable. Really cares for his work. Learnt loads. Had a great time doing so and even saw a penguin. The glamping is with an incredible couple who love hosting - definitely buy their pizzas! And the Aquapackers is another amazing couple doing what they... read moreOne day walk and 2 days kayaking. Lucky enough to have Dez as a guide - genuinely the best guide I’ve had. Funny, intuitive and so knowledgable. Really cares for his work. Learnt loads. Had a great time doing so and even saw a penguin. The glamping is with an incredible couple who love hosting - definitely buy their pizzas! And the Aquapackers is another amazing couple doing what they love - hosting! Great (and loads of) food. read less
Tomclowes22
Well organised and friendly company with good equipment and attention to safety. We really enjoyed the water taxi ride up to a beach along the Abel Tasman track for lunch , followed by a unhurried kayak over to Adele island to visit the seal colony and then a kayak back to base.
Des T
Would 100% recommend the seal sanctory tour. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and made sure that we enjoyed our day. We had plenty of time to get photos and have breaks. The lunch provided was super delicious! Everyone I dealt with was really helpful and friendly.
Makamaylaaa
My wife and I just returned from a 2 day trip with ATK - we started our adventure in Marahau and took a 40 minute water taxi up the coast to Awaroa. We’d have loved to do the 3 day trip which covers the same coastline but includes a few nature walks a however, we were NOT disappointed by the truncated experience. We were paired off with one other... read moreMy wife and I just returned from a 2 day trip with ATK - we started our adventure in Marahau and took a 40 minute water taxi up the coast to Awaroa. We’d have loved to do the 3 day trip which covers the same coastline but includes a few nature walks a however, we were NOT disappointed by the truncated experience. We were paired off with one other lovely family in for a reunion, and the endlessly talented guide Isaac, who had us all feeling like Whānau by the end of the trip. The thing that really impresses me about this tour is how meticulously they have figured out to time the various side quests, swims and meal breaks so that it lines up with the tide. In terms of sights, the highlights for me would have to be:1) Tonga island, where we saw dozens of young seal pup-mum pairings and learned about the impressive comeback this species has made over the last several years. 2) Shag Harbour, a beautiful inlet accessible only during high tide with crystal clear water and a symphony of cicada song3) Mosquito bay (reportedly named this to reduce foot traffic - not at all buggy), a beachhead campground accessible only by kayak 4) Watering cove near Te Karetu point - where you drink delicious, crystal clear & cool spring water directly from the sourceIf you are reading and thinking “but I am not an experienced kayaker”, this is NOT a necessity for this trip. If you are in reasonable shape, eager to learn and put in effort you’ll get through the ~30km of ground with no problem. My wife and I were lagging a bit behind because of some motion sickness and Isaac seamlessly built in breaks and sightseeing to keep us caught up and feeling good. The food is excellent and abundant - I won’t spoil the particulars. Finally, I’d be woefully remiss if I didn’t emphasize again just what an incredible guide Isaac was for our group. He is kind, outgoing, thoughtful and has a deep knowledge and love for NZ, Abel Tasman Park, and Maori culture. The depth of his knowledge for the flora & fauna, natural and human history of the area would be impressive for a guide 10 years his senior. He carries all of it off with such nonchalance - and always with a smile and a laugh (and a piece of ginger candy when my wife was worse for wear on the mad mile)Go on this trip, with this group. We will be back, and we hope he’s there to show us another adventure read less
Tim R
Very good briefing to ensure safety etc. Guide was clear and humorous and had lots of knowledge of natural history to make things interesting. Lunch on beach very good, coffee and fruit too. Beautiful coastline and weather was great. We walked back along Able Tasman path, really good. Great way to spend 4-5 hours! Would fully recommend.
11prusom
Abel Tasman Kayaks supported our 9 day hiking (self guided) and kayaking trip. There were a few hiccups along the way, as the trip got shifted around from kayaking first, hiking last, to the reverse, due to inclement weather. The owner, Jack, took us to the café pre our departure, treated us to coffee and muffins, explained the necessary changes, and gave us a revised detailed itinerary. What we... read moreAbel Tasman Kayaks supported our 9 day hiking (self guided) and kayaking trip. There were a few hiccups along the way, as the trip got shifted around from kayaking first, hiking last, to the reverse, due to inclement weather. The owner, Jack, took us to the café pre our departure, treated us to coffee and muffins, explained the necessary changes, and gave us a revised detailed itinerary. What we all forgot was that we were ending up with less dehydrated food for the hiking portion than we needed, because of the changes, but Abel Tasman Kayaks, when made aware of this, wended up treating us to a lovely dinner and breakfast at Awaroa Lodge, and a very nice bag lunch, so we did not go hungry at all, quite the contrary! The scenery was as gorgeous as everyone has said, our kayak guide though young was knowledgeable and very fun to be with. And to cap things off, the company also provided us with a ride to Nelson airport, when we enquired about how to get there for our very early morning flight, not part of the original plan. In all, the company proved itself very nimble at responding to our needs and requests, and was good natured in doing so. read less
Jane S