3 Day Kayak & Walk North

Price

$319NZ pp

Duration

3 Days

From Marahau to Totaranui and return – it’s an adventure!

Spend three days in the stunning Abel Tasman. The first two days see you kayaking from Marahau through to Onetahuti.

We collect your kayak for you on day two and leave you to walk North through to the last water taxi pick up point, Totaranui. The bush through here is lush and the coastal views amazing! We collect you at the end of day three when the water taxi retraces your route back to Marahau.

Recommended campsites: Night 1 Observation Beach or Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage. Night 2 Onetahuti. Camp passes included in price which we book on your behalf.

Start paddling at Marahau and finish at Onetahuti.
Don’t paddle the same coastline twice!
2 days of kayaking allows plenty of time to explore all the way up the Marine Reserve.
Walk to the Northern taxi pick up point Totaranui.
Retrace your steps on the water taxi on your journey back to Marahau.

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).

Print Itinerary

Check-in: 8.15 am
Open: 1 Oct – 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, passenger transfer and camp pass (Abel Tasman Kayaks books on your behalf)
Food: Self catered
Paddling: Approximately 4 – 5 hours per day interspersed with breaks. No prior experience required
Abel Tasman Great Walk: Approximately 3 – 4 hours
Water Taxi: One water taxi cruise
Bus: $80 Nelson return, $40 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times

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.

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Explore the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and its surrounds you can go as far as Shag Harbour.

Astrolabe

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

Kaka

Kaka New Zealands native parrot have been reintroduced to Bark Bay. They are often heard before they are seen, listen out for their call a harsh, repeated, rhythmic ‘ka ka’.

Lagoons

Explore Frenchmans Bay, Sandfly Bay, Bark Bay (marker) lagoons on the high tide.

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Explore the forest fringed granite coastline and tidal estuaries.

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

Awaroa Estuary Crossing

Spectacular low tide estuary crossing.

Majestic rain forest

The northern end of the park offers great examples of sub tropical rain forest. There are plenty of majestic Nikau to be found on this section of track.

Onetahuti kayak pick up

Totaranui passenger pick up

Night 1

Anchorage Campsite (50 sites).

Night 2

Onetahuti Bay Campsite (20 sites)

Full Park Map

Departure Times

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

Note the Department of Conservation applies a pricing system that varies depending on residency status.

Risk Disclosure: For an understanding of the potential risks please click here and read before you book.

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.

10.00am

On water assessment with guide.

10.30am

Continue on your own to explore the Abel Tasman. Spend the night at Observation Beach, Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage.
Day 2

3.15pm

Kayak pick up at Onetahuti. Spend the night at Onetahuti or Tonga Quarry.
Day 3

8.15am

Walk from Onetahuti to Totaranui approx 4.5hrs,14.2km.

2.45pm

Water Taxi pick up at Totaranui.

4.30pm

Return to Abel Tasman Kayaks’ base.

*Please note this is an estimate of timings and based on our summer 8.15am check-in. There may be times when this trip will be reversed.

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
Day 3: 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

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 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.
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

Very good briefing to ensure safety etc. Guide was clear and humorous and had lots of knowledge of natural history to make things interesting. Lunch on beach very good, coffee and fruit too. Beautiful coastline and weather was great. We walked back along Able Tasman path, really good. Great way to spend 4-5 hours! Would fully recommend.

11prusom

Great family friendly adventure, loved the information about the park, the walks to explore, fully catered yummy meals. Our guide Lou was a great resource, lover of NZ outdoors and great at checking in on the various needs of our group. Loved that we got a bit of everything from the weather Gods and excited we got to add penguin spotting to our check list.

Erin T

My partner and I got a day-hire kayak for 90pp. I couldn't recommend Abel Tasman Kayaks any higher. There was a thorough safety briefing before the day started and they kitted us out with all the equipment that we needed. The team was great at pointing out where it would be feasible to kayak for a day trip. Kayaking in the bays was great as well, lots of small private beaches that you can stop on, lots of wildlife (we saw a seal tearing through an octopus on the water!) and doing a loop around Adele or Fisherman's Island is very manageable. It was a bit difficult to see where we had to return to, so in the future I would clarify that before I leave. Jack was also great to us. Friendly, approachable, keen for a yarn and made the whole experience better!

BrianY853

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

We rented a kayak for a day. Amber, who was very professional and friendly, gave us a safety demonstration and showed us routes to go. Kayaks were in great condition and the scenery was amazing. We saw seals and one swam under the kayak!

LF363

Would 100% recommend the seal sanctory tour. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable and made sure that we enjoyed our day. We had plenty of time to get photos and have breaks. The lunch provided was super delicious! Everyone I dealt with was really helpful and friendly.

Makayla

Price

Duration

From Marahau to Totaranui and return – it’s an adventure!

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Astrolabe

Kaka

Lagoons

Bark Bay & Surrounds

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

Awaroa Estuary Crossing

Majestic rain forest

Onetahuti kayak pick up

Totaranui passenger pick up

Night 1

Night 2

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Preparation

FAQS

Guided Kayak Tours

Three Day Classic

Guided Kayak Tours, Walking Tours

Three Day Classic Great Walk

Guided Kayak Tours, Walking Tours

Three Day Tiki Tour

What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

3 Day Kayak & Walk North

Price

Duration

From Marahau to Totaranui and return – it’s an adventure!

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Astrolabe

Kaka

Lagoons

Bark Bay & Surrounds

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

Awaroa Estuary Crossing

Majestic rain forest

Onetahuti kayak pick up

Totaranui passenger pick up

Night 1

Night 2

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Preparation

FAQS

Other trips you may like

Guided Kayak Tours

Three Day Classic

Guided Kayak Tours, Walking Tours

Three Day Classic Great Walk

Guided Kayak Tours, Walking Tours

Three Day Tiki Tour

What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

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