Our classic trips serve up everything that is special about the Abel Tasman National Park. Create lasting memories that will remain treasured for a lifetime.

This fully outfitted adventure has long been the benchmark for overnight guided kayak adventures in New Zealand. There will be no better time to experience it than this summer. Summers call for lasting memories, and our Classics do just that.

Immerse yourself completely in the natural wonders of the Abel Tasman National Park. Be wowed by the night sky, the milky way is truly amazing in the park. Enjoy drifting to sleep listening to the waves before waking up to bird song. It’s a relaxing, content-rich, fully catered, beach side camping experience.

Spend three days kayaking the coastline from beautiful Totaranui/Awaroa in the North down to the golden shores of Marahau. Spacious and spectacular, the northern section is seldom visited by others. The middle of the park offers lagoons and rocky outcrops. The southern section showcases twelve stunning beaches to end your journey.

If you want to explore the quiet far north of the park and walk from Totaranui to Separation Point (return) contact us and we can make this into a four day journey. Your first day will be an unguided walk passing lush tropical native forest and quiet beaches on day two meet your guide to start the three day classic.  It is a lot quieter up here and we recommend staying at what we consider some of the best campsites in the park. Recommended campsites: Anapai or Totaranaui.

Kirsten from Bearfoot Theory blogged about our Classic trips read her personal account of her trip with Abel Tasman Kayaks. You can also view her journey from her video below.

Paddling is our business, with all activities supported by our purpose-built kayak base, complimentary hot showers, wifi, equipment storage & client transporters. We also provide high-quality soft gear – fitted for each client by our guides and high-quality hard gear – customised for comfort for each client.

On this trip covering the coastline from Totaranui or Awaroa and surrounds to Marahau you have a professional guide with you for 3 days sharing their knowledge and passion of the Abel Tasman. We also cater all meals designed around your health and energy.

Every trip is unique like each of our clients.

We have set a summer schedule but are flexible outside our Tues/Sat departures, please contact us directly for alternate dates.

Price

$999pp

Duration

3 Days

  • Check-in: 8.15 am
  • Age: Minimum 12 years, under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult on a 1 to 1 ratio
  • Open: 2024 | Departs Sat – Nov & Apr, Tues & Sat Dec – Mar | 2025 | Departs Tues – Nov, Dec & Mar – Tues & Sat, Jan & Feb – Tues, Thurs & Sat. On request outside of these times
  • Food: Fully catered
  • Paddling: Approximately 4 – 5 hours per day interspersed with breaks. No prior experience required
  • Abel Tasman Great Walk: Yes – optional short bush walks
  • Water Taxi: One water taxi cruise
  • Bus: $70 Nelson return, $30 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times

Departure Times

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

 

Itinerary

  • Day One

    8.15 am
    Check in and meet your guide.
    8.30 am
    Water Taxi to Awaroa.
    9.45 am
    Arrive Awaroa.
    9.50 am
    Packing kayak and briefing.
    10.15 am
    Kayak from Awaroa to Onetahuti. Total kayak time approx 4.5 hrs including lunch and breaks.
    4.30 pm
    Arrive Onetahuti area.
    5.00 pm
    Set up camp site.
    7.00 pm
    Dinner and dessert.

    Day Two

    8.00 am
    Breakfast.
    9.00 am
    Decamp.
    9.30 am
    Kayak from Onetahuti area to Anchorage. Total kayak time approx 4.5 hrs with breaks.
  • Arrive Anchorage campsite
    7.00 pm
    Dinner and dessert.

    Day Three

    8.00 am
    Breakfast.
    9.00 am
    Decamp.
    9.30 am
    Kayak from Anchorage to Marahau. Total kayak time approx 4 hrs with breaks.
    3.30 pm
    Arrive Marahau and unpack gear. Enjoy showers and refreshments at the Abel Tasman Kayaks base.
  • Sample Menu

    Day One

    Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks freshly baked roll filled with local produce.

    Dinner: Mediterranean Pasta.



    Day Two

    Breakfast: Muesli and fruit and/or toasted bagels.

    Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks pita pockets.

    Dinner: Chickpea Curry.



    Day Three

    Breakfast: Muesli and fruit and/or French toast.

    Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks platter.

*Please note: These are an estimate of timings.

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, camera and any medication. Evening: Long pants, t-shirt, warm top (wool or fleece), trainers and socks, rain proof jacket. Personal: Toiletries, sleeping bag (we can provide this), torch.

We provide

A double sea kayak, buoyancy vest, paddle, spray skirt, paddle jacket, dry bags for cameras, 2 person tents, thermarest inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags if required, plates, cutlery, cups, gas cookers, filtered water, all meals, accommodation in beachside campsites and of course an awesome Abel Tasman Kayaks guide.

FAQS

  • 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 guided kayaking?

    Guided customers need to be 12+. Under the age of 18  you need to be accompanied by an adult for all tours excluding Split Apple Classic. The age for Split Apple Classic Guided is 8+ and anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult.

  • Is food included on our tour?

    Lunch is included on all our guided tours except the Split Apple Classic. It is one of the great reasons to go on a trip with Abel Tasman Kayaks. Summer lunches are a freshly baked roll filled with local produce, a sweet snack, fruit, fresh plunger coffee and local juice.  In winter we offer hot seasonal soup, home made bread rolls, fresh plunger coffee and local juice. Vegetarian and dietary requirements can be catered for, please ask at time of booking. Two, Three & Five Day Classic’s & Source to Sea are fully catered. Two Day & Three Day Tiki Tour trips require some catering by you. Check out the trip description to see what meals are required.    

  • More FAQ’s

    A full list of our FAQ’s can be found here.

What our customers say

We did the 3 day classic guided kayak trip. From the first contact with the company through to when we said our last goodbyes, Abel Tasman Kayaks were fantastic. Our guide, Awatea was amazing, whipping up fabulous meals at each lunch and overnight stop. He was an experienced guide, coaching us through a couple of more exciting sections on the route and we always felt safe and... read more


stressederic64

We loved this trip and I cant recommend it enough. We did a 3 day kayaking adventure. Our guide, Whitey was just brilliant. Super experienced and really good with my 12 year old. He was incredibly knowledable and also a great cook. The food and provided alcohol were just exceptional. I felt safe taking my two daughters , aged 12 and 14. The scenery was just stunning and we were... read more


Alison J

Wow what an awesome tour supported by an equally awesome team. Did the 3 day kayak tour and would totally recommend. Actually time went way to quick. Glad we did the guided tour. MASSIVE shout out to our SPECTACULAR guide, Kyle. He just made the trip to the highlight it was. The base to start from equally impressive with coffee and food available before you head off and then again... read more


brentwhibs

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

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

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

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

There are not many places in the world where you start your trip sitting in a boat traveling down the road. ❤️ launching from Marahau.
Where to next? ❤️ the options in the Abel Tasman.
Paddling in sync 🚣‍♂️ the perfect way to explore the Abel Tasman.
Happy Leap Day! Perhaps these kayakers are catching a glimpse of dolphins leaping on this special day? 🐬🛶
Enjoying lunch and a coffee in the Abel Tasman.
Islands stealing the foreground, and there are three waiting to be explored in the Abel Tasman. 🏝️🗺️
Blue skies and granite coastline ❤️ the Abel Tasman.
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