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: 12 noon (pm trip only)
- 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.
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
Loved every minute of this trip! These guys are super organized and friendly. Everything was sorted and the guides were awesome and very experienced. Time went by so fast. Wish I had done the 5- day tour!
nzfoodi
Wij hebben gekozen voor een hele dag kajakken, zonder de wandeling, om zo meer van het Marine Reserve te kunnen ontdekken. Na een korte introductie konden we op pad. De watertaxi naar het beginpunt was al beter dan verwacht. De gids nam er alle tijd voor en liet ons al het één en ander zien waar we door het getij wellicht later niet mee bij konden.
Daarna volgde een korte... read moreWij hebben gekozen voor een hele dag kajakken, zonder de wandeling, om zo meer van het Marine Reserve te kunnen ontdekken. Na een korte introductie konden we op pad. De watertaxi naar het beginpunt was al beter dan verwacht. De gids nam er alle tijd voor en liet ons al het één en ander zien waar we door het getij wellicht later niet mee bij konden.
Daarna volgde een korte uitleg over de kajaks en het peddelen en mochten we onszelf te water laten. Onze gids vertelde veel over de natuur, planten en dieren, die daar leven. De tocht was relaxed, maar we konden toch ook lekker door varen. De lunch was uitstekend en we hadden hier ruim de tijd om te relaxen. Het was een kleine groep en dat maakte het nog persoonlijker. Zeker een goede keuze!!! read less
NienkeNM
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
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 moreI 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 lunch when we arrived (met up with another tour group that was doing a full-day custom-guided kayak tour, this may not always be the case). Watch out for the birds they'll dive bomb your food while it's in your hand (one little sneaky bird ran off with my carrot cake). After lunch, they water taxi you to another cove for the guided kayak tour portion. Our group had Georgia and Brody as our tour guides. They gave us history lessons about Abel Tasman (formation etc), māori culture, and various wildlife (and other places to check out on the West Coast). Our group saw seals and we were close enough to Adelle island we could hear other wildlife. Our tour guides surprised our group by transforming our kayaks into one big sail at the end of the trip so we could sail back to the boat ramp. Thanks for the amazing tour of Abel Tasman national park, hospitality, and borrowed backpack, I will certainly book another tour with Abel Tasman Kayaks next time I'm in Nelson. read less
Travel Dude
Sea kayaking for the first time, I opted for a short introductory half day. It was beautiful, fun and rewarding. The guides were excellent, group "sailing" was an unexpected fun activity that saved energy and lunch on the beach after was tasty, filling and relaxing. Water taxi back including being towed (while still in the boat) by a tractor.
Jo-Anne K
Luisa was a fantastic guide! She was not only informative with the history & sites, she was fun to be with.
Also turned our kayaking adventure into a sailing one!
dstewartkmg365