Price

$150pp

Duration

1 Day

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 Mārahau.

Recommended campsite: Anchorage. Camp pass not included in the price.

  • Start Mārahau 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 Mārahau 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).

  • 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 –  31 May

  • Age: Minimum age is 14 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 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: $85 Nelson return, $45 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times
  • Base Map

Walk option

Overnight at Anchorage and then explore the coastal track.

Taxi option

Return with your kayak on the water taxi back to Mārahau.

Paddle the sheltered waters of the Astrolabe exploring 12 beautiful beaches, caves, rocky outcrops and islands.

2 Day Freedom Tour - Abel Tasman Kayaks

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. 

Seal - Abel Tasman Kayaks

 

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

  • 8.15am
    Check 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.
    10.00am
    On water assessment with guide.
    10.30am
    Continue on your own to explore the Astrolabe and Anchorage surrounds.
    3.40pm
    Kayak pick up at Anchorage.
  • 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.
  • Food: Be sure to bring enough food for your whole journey. We recommend purchasing this before you get to Mārahau.

    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

  • Are camp passes included in overnight trips?

    Yes, camp passes are included in the package price for all overnight accommodation. We take care of booking and paying for the campsites on your behalf and provide the passes when you check in.  If you wish to upgrade to stay in hut please contact us separately there will be an additional cost.

  • 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 Mārahau. 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.

  • How much gear/equipment can we store in our kayaks for an overnight trip?

    You can easily fit the equivalent of approximately two large packs full of equipment in the dry storage areas of a double sea kayak. This needs to be put inside large plastic bags to fit into the hatches. Check out our video on tips for packing your kayak.

  • 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

These reviews are gathered through our independent client survey, designed by Get Smart using their Survey Science approach to track Customer Experience. Reviews with the Get Smart icon are gathered through that feedback tool.

www.getsmartglobal.com/get-smart-verification


Get Smart

Zack was a great guide! He took the safety briefing very seriously and it was an overall great experience! Great kayak and the national park is obviously stunning.


Anna

good safety briefing
good and nice guide
and the beautiful environment


PS

Whitney was a very knowledgeable guide. felt safe. good lunch!


Jo

It was very well run, helpful staff, we felt very prepared.


Katie

Absolutely amazing. It was a wonderful Journey with beautiful landscapes. Our guide Oli was fantastic and i would like to thank him very much for this perfect day. A must do for everyone who stay in Marahau


Florent

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

Kaka, Tūi and bellbird, flitting through the bush before the rest of the park wakes up.

First light on the Coast Track sounds like this - no traffic, no chatter, just birdsong doing most of the talking. Worth being up for.

Early starts have their reasons.

#AbelTasmanKayaks #AbelTasman #CoastTrack #AbelTasmanNationalPark #NewZealand #NZMustDo #purenz
There's a particular kind of quiet that settles in once the tent's up and the kettle's on.

What's your version of switching off?

#AbelTasmanKayaks  #AbelTasman #NewZealand #PureNZ
Astrolabe Roadstead doesn't show up on the standard tourist map — mostly because you can't drive to it.

Twelve beaches and a  couple of islands, only reachable by water. It's one of the  one of our favourites to paddle.

Ever paddled somewhere you couldn't have walked to?

#AbelTasmanKayaks #AbelTasman #AstrolabeRoadstead #AbelTasmanNationalPark #KayakingNZ #NewZealand #PureNZ
We look forward to welcoming our first summer guests on the water again this week, and it's worth saying: every guest contributes directly to the National Park.

Hear Jack talk about why tourism only works if nature comes first 🌿

Ready to get naturing this season?

#AbelTasmanKayaks #AlwaysBeNaturing #docgovtnz  #AbelTasman #AbelTasmanNationalPark #Marahau #KayakingNZ #NewZealand #PureNZ #mārahaupledge
That water ... 💙 The Abel Tasman is famous for its crystal-clear, turquoise seas – the perfect backdrop for kayaking.
Jess and her partner out exploring on a Two Day Tiki. A couple of days, countless moments & memories.
.
@jess_.etv 
#abeltasmankayaks
Not all beaches are easy to find…
.
Photo credit @stardustseasphotography
So many Missions, which one are you choosing? 👀
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