Hire a kayak for a day and paddle to Anchorage.
Continue your journey by walking the coastal track or return by water taxi.
Get prepared for your day, then spend the day exploring the Astrolabe before having your kayak picked up at Anchorage. Spend the night at Anchorage and create your own walking itinerary either North or South or alternatively catch the water taxi back to Marahau.
Recommended campsite: Anchorage. Camp pass not included in the price.
- Start Marahau and paddle to Anchorage.
- Kayak pick up at Anchorage at the end of the day.
- Fully explore the Astrolabe area at your own pace.
- Paddle out to Adele & Fisherman Islands and listen to the birdsong.
- Drift into caves on a high tide.
- Stop in at Watering Cove and walk up the coastal track to experience the spectacular views of the Astrolabe and the Northern part of the park.
This trip is recommended for confident outdoors people.
At the end of the day there are two options: return with your kayak on the water taxi back to Marahau or stay at Anchorage. If you are staying overnight we suggest booking a bag/pack transfer to Anchorage.
Minimum group size 2 (no solo hires).
Price
$135pp
Duration
1 Day
- 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 Sept – 30 June
- 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, kayak transfer
- Food: Self catered
- Paddling: Approximately 4 hours 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
Walk option
Overnight at Anchorage and then explore the coastal track.
Taxi option
Return with your kayak on the water taxi back to Marahau.
Paddle the sheltered waters of the Astrolabe exploring 12 beautiful beaches, caves, rocky outcrops and islands.
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.
No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)
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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8.15amCheck 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.10.00amOn water assessment with guide.
10.30amContinue on your own to explore the Astrolabe and Anchorage surrounds.4.00pmKayak pick up at Anchorage.
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Preparation
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, sunscreen and insect repellent.
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Food: Be sure to bring enough food for your whole journey. 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.
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.
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.
*Please note this is an estimate of timings base on a 8.15am check-in.
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
we had a great time with this company on the ocean and when we camped . before you go i would check what you are going to eat .
eaterofallthingsgood
A must do!! Belvir (sp?) gave us a great safety briefing and information before we set off. It was helpful and entertaining. We went all the way to Anchorage, dropped off the kayaks and walked back. Also saw seals on the way. An amazing family experience we will never forget. So glad we did it, and highly recommend these guys to book with.
Bexselector
The four of us had a great time in this beautiful location. Our guide was helpful knowledgeable and fun to be with and we all enjoyed the lunch.At the end we felt like we'd had a bit of a workout but we are not very fit and we set our own pace.We saw playful young seals up close, a wide range of birds and a couple of stingrays. Do it... read moreThe four of us had a great time in this beautiful location. Our guide was helpful knowledgeable and fun to be with and we all enjoyed the lunch.At the end we felt like we'd had a bit of a workout but we are not very fit and we set our own pace.We saw playful young seals up close, a wide range of birds and a couple of stingrays. Do it if you get the chance read less
Sam S
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 moreAn 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 reminding you subtly that adventure activities need everyone involved to manage risk and respect those risks.
The soul food excursion is very clever you work your way around islands noiselessly so surprise surprise the wildlife doesn't disappear as it does when confronted with diesel engines and jet boats.
The coastline is fascinating and an experienced guide like Tim puts you in the right place at low tide and high tide and anywhere in between at the optimum moment.
Kayaking 15 K is tiring and it's great to stop on a Beach and enjoy a generous lunch and the classic Kiwi sandwich experience not to mention naughty brownies and chocolate truffles!
it's easy not to cover the basics but the start and finish are executed with great efficiency so you get into the trip quickly and get off home quickly which enables the really memorable part to stay in your mind.
I look forward to more well-executed fun with ATK!
Please note this excursion was carried out on 1/1/2020 TA has not updated their calendar options yet. read less
Michelle J
We booked the Seal Sanctuary tour and were not disappointed. We saw many seals on our trip and then explored some of the coastline in the park before lunch. Our guide Nicole was knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife as well as providing ideas of what to do for the afternoon and in other cities in NZ that we planned to visit. I would definitely recommend Abel Tasman... read moreWe booked the Seal Sanctuary tour and were not disappointed. We saw many seals on our trip and then explored some of the coastline in the park before lunch. Our guide Nicole was knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife as well as providing ideas of what to do for the afternoon and in other cities in NZ that we planned to visit. I would definitely recommend Abel Tasman Kayaks if you are planning a trip to this area. read less
JackieB1234567
Great trip with Reed. All the equipment is very good quality, we were well briefed and looked after. We saw lots of birds and seals and even a ray. Our instructor Reed was excellent and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend
sfw_giggles
