2 Day Kayak & Walk South

This round trip allows you to explore Marahau to Anchorage over two days.

Paddle the calm waters of the Astrolabe before heading around the point to Anchorage then journey back by foot the next day.

Day one is a beautiful paddle from Marahau to Anchorage Bay. The water taxi will collect your kayak from Anchorage at the end of day one.

You’ll spend the night here and on day two enjoy walking the Abel Tasman Great Walk coastal track with beautiful views out over the turquoise waters of the Tasman Bay.

Recommended campsite: Anchorage. Camp pass included in price which we book on your behalf.

Start and finish at Marahau.
Fully explore the Astrolabe Anchorage area by kayak and foot at your own pace.
Paddle out to Adele & Fisherman Islands.
Drift into the Torrent Bay lagoon on a high tide.
Have your kayak picked up at the end of day one.
Spend a night at Anchorage.
Walk the coastal track back to Marahau.
Take in the picturesque view of Torrent Bay at the top of the climb out of Anchorage.
Your walk finishes at the end of the causeway in Marahau. The DoC shelter offers the perfect place to contemplate your journey before heading back to our base for a hot shower.

This trip is recommended for confident outdoors people.

Make your trip easier and book a return bag/pack transfer to/from Anchorage – $25 per bag/pack each way.

Hut accommodation is available for an additional cost, please contact us to arrange and camping gear can be hired at time of booking if required.

Minimum group size 2 (no solo hires).

Price

$151pp

Duration

2 Days

Check-in: 8.15 am (10.30 am & noon 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 and camp pass (Abel Tasman Kayaks books on your behalf)
Food: Self catered
Paddling: Approximately 4 hours interspersed with breaks. Recommended for confident outdoors people
Abel Tasman Great Walk: Approximately 3 – 4 hours
Water Taxi: No water taxi cruises
Bus: $70 Nelson return, $30 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times

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

Night 1

Anchorage Campsite (50 sites)

Lookout

Enjoy the views from the lookout.

Anchorage - Marahau

Enjoy your walk following the coast you just kayaked.

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 found at the northern end of the island.

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

Full Park Map

Departure Times

Please note the Department of Conservation apply differential pricing between 1st October and 30th April. If you are a New Zealand resident choose the New Zealand Resident price, if you are an International Visitor choose International Visitor price.

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

Itinerary

Day 1

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.

9.30am

On water assessment with guide.

10.00am

You have all day to explore the Astrolabe and Anchorage area by kayak.

4.00pm

Your kayak will be picked up at Anchorage by water taxi.

Spend the night at Anchorage.
Day 2

Options:

Spend the morning at Anchorage then walk from Anchorage to Marahau 3.5hrs, 12.4km.

Or you have ample time to walk the Te Pukatea Bay and Pitt Head track either as a circuit or on your journey home. It offers great views from Pitt Head – 1 hour 20 minutes return then walk from Anchorage to Marahau 3.5hrs, 12.4km.

Or walk to Cleopatra’s Pool along the high tide route. The walk takes you along a stream bed of large boulders to a secluded swimming spot – 40 minutes return then walk from Anchorage to Marahau 3.5hrs, 12.4km.

4.00pm

Return to Abel Tasman Kayaks’ base.

*Please note this is an estimate of timings base on a 8.15am check-in.

Preparation

Camp pass: Provided at check in.

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, torch, sunscreen and insect repellent.

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.

Food & water: 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.

Day 1: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks

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.

FAQS

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 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.
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.
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

Great tour with Nathan giving really informative commentary throughout. We had a bonus Little Blue Penguin float calmly around the kayaks towards the end of the trip, too. So great.

BigBenMcEwan

An excellent way to fit 2 activities into a day and see a fair bit of the Abel Tasman national park! Our guide Brody was full of information and made for a very safe and enjoyable 2/3hr paddle. Lunch provided was delicious. The walking section is beautiful and easy to complete in the time provided. All very well organised and worth the money!

yasminlee92

Amazing guided kayak day with our guide Traf, with ample viewings of wildlife and nature, including stingrays, native New Zealand birds, fur seals and wekas. Our kids are 13, 11, and 8 so we worried that a full day of kayaking would be tiering, but we found the level very doable. We had planned ahead of time to have a half day of kayaking and a half day of walking... read more read less

Leonie

Totally recommend. Thx Moose!! Wonderful kayak instructor, educator and all round lovely person and thanx Wally and Chris plus the lovely person who provides lunch! We loved our experience. Not so much Awaroa lodge.
Thx team

NZfoodie2014

We had a fantastic day , superbly organised from start to finish. Our guide was excellent , felt really safe but was also an adventure and really good fun. Opportunity to see wildlife up close, time to swim, explore remote little bays.
A fantastic day.

KarenSharpe

We couldn't fault one bit of our kayak rental with Abel Tasman Kayaks! They were really professional, super friendly, flexible and helpful! The kayaks were in great condition, held way more stuff than we thought and were super easy to use! Thank you Abel Tasman Kayaks!

jmc13