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.ย 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 –ย 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.ย
NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno
NZ fur sealsย Kekenoย can be seen at the northern end of the island.ย
ย
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: Youโre 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. Donโt 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.ย 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 Mฤrahau 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.ย We recommend purchasing this before you get to Marahau.ย Make sure you bring plenty of fresh water with you.ย Filtered water is available at our base and hut sites, untreated water is available at the campsites.ย ย
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If I am on my own can I rent a kayak?
Itโs 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 FAQโs can be found here.
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What our customers say
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 moreWow 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 on return. Would highly recommend using these guys. read less
brentwhibs
Great half day kayak trip with Georgia and Brody! Lots of good info about the area from them both. It was a bit rainy when we started, but ended up being a really beautiful day complete with seals and a killer beach. Would recommend.
Lauren S
Gorgeous country, coast, trail, weather. Does not get much better than this. Just the right amount of trail time.
Noelpeterson1
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 moreWe 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 had great fun. Awatea kept us amused with his 'Dad jokes' and informed with his local knowledge. As we came ashore for the last time at Marahau I really felt I'd achieved something by kayaking the Abel Tasman. Definitely recommend this trip and absolutely recommend Abel Tasman kayaks as the company to go with. read less
stressederic64
Great way to explore Abel tasmen! Many trip options but also can chop and change with ideas we did a 3 day kayak made into four with a beach day in between.
Great company - they teach you all the basics before you start out & go on a test run beforehand. Showers available at the end!
Really recommend 5โญ๏ธ
Kate W
We chose a three day tiki tour and the whole family loved it! It includes a bit of everything: walking, kayaking, camping and glamping for a treat. And everything is thoughtfully provided! The forecast was for inclement weather, we were thrilled that Abel Tasman kayakโs knowledge and experience meant they came up with a safe option to let us paddle and explore. With two quite different overnight stays,... read moreWe chose a three day tiki tour and the whole family loved it! It includes a bit of everything: walking, kayaking, camping and glamping for a treat. And everything is thoughtfully provided! The forecast was for inclement weather, we were thrilled that Abel Tasman kayakโs knowledge and experience meant they came up with a safe option to let us paddle and explore. With two quite different overnight stays, we had a chance to get personal and close with the park, to take in the beauty, the sounds, to touch the water and the sand, and to lose some of our food to the park โownersโ - the wekas. We had one day of guided kayaking with a fantastic guide teaching us useful skills and telling insightful stories. The highlights were raft sailing and silence in Shag Harbour. And a box of biscuits, my 12 year old would add! It has been a great introduction revealing how much is still left for the next visit. read less
nataliar495