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.
- Donโt 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).
Price
$280pp
Duration
3 Days
- Check-in: 8.15 am
- Open: 1 Oct – 31 May
- 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, 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: $70 Nelson return, $30 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.ย 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 majesticย Nikau to be found on this section of track.
Onetahuti kayak pick upย
Totaranui passenger pick up
Night 1
Anchorage Campsite (50 sites).
Night 2
Onetahuti Bay Campsite (20 sites)
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
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Day 1
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 Abel Tasman. Spend the night at Observation Beach, Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage. -
Day 2
3.15pmKayak pick up at Onetahuti. Spend the night at Onetahuti or Tonga Quarry. -
Day 3
8.15amWalk from Onetahuti to Totaranui approx 4.5hrs,14.2km.2.15pmWater Taxi pick up at Totaranui.4.30pmReturn to Abel Tasman Kayaksโ 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: 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, 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
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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
Our guide was great, super knowledgeable and brought lots of positive energy.
The views were amazing, we saw lots of wildlife and with the high tide we paddled through 3 beautiful lagoons.
The lunch was also delicious!
Saraandaaron
Ontzettend genoten. Gekozen om sโochtends een halve dag te kayakken en dan naar Anchorage te lopen en daar de pithol-loop te doen. Goede begeleiding en tijd ook voor gezelligheid, goede lunch gehad. Hoop info mee over Abel Tasman en de eilandjes. Zelfs wat seals gezien. Top.
652edwinh
The guide really makes it or breaks it when you are out on an all-day tour like this and we really lucked in by having Daz. He made sure to keep us safe, well-informed about our interesting surroundings, and laughing! This tour is so well done and even though the weather wasn't ideal (windy and gloomy), it ended up being an absolutely fantastic day to be out on the water.... read moreThe guide really makes it or breaks it when you are out on an all-day tour like this and we really lucked in by having Daz. He made sure to keep us safe, well-informed about our interesting surroundings, and laughing! This tour is so well done and even though the weather wasn't ideal (windy and gloomy), it ended up being an absolutely fantastic day to be out on the water. We saw sea lions, lots of bird life, and rays. We also loved the lunch stop with a waterfall and cave to explore, as well as the saling!!! But, just paddling along enjoying the landscape was a lovely way to see the Abel Tasman NP. We'll cherish the experience! Thanks a bunch to Daz and the rest of the Abel Tasman Kayaks team! :) read less
trailingaway
Friend and I did a two day kayak and walk. Started with kayak on day one. The kayak was all packed with our overnight camp gear we hired from the place. Location and parking was easy. Good safety demonstration and a short ride to launch site on back of tractor/trailer. Site had a good setup with shower and toilet facilities. Staff were very helpful on arrival and departure. Camp gear... read moreFriend and I did a two day kayak and walk. Started with kayak on day one. The kayak was all packed with our overnight camp gear we hired from the place. Location and parking was easy. Good safety demonstration and a short ride to launch site on back of tractor/trailer. Site had a good setup with shower and toilet facilities. Staff were very helpful on arrival and departure. Camp gear that we hired was good condition and all accounted for. We arrived at Anchorage and unpacked the kayak, setup our camp site. Kayaks were picked up off the beach where we were instructed to leave. Next day we left our camp gear at site and continued north to Onetahuti (recommend walking extra distance for beautiful beach. Otherwise end at Barks Bay). Water taxi (company owned) collected us right on schedule. Super friendly and considerate boat driver. We had amazing weather and canโt fault the experience! We did two day walk that doesnโt include meals.
Suggest the company does a departure checklist for visitors. Things like how much we can fit in kayak/what types of bags can fit and how to pack food would be helpful for first-timers. Even meal suggestions would be great idea. In case reader is wondering: suggest a medium sized backpack per person plus a bag for meals. On day two you have to carry all your personal gear including food containers and rubbish - think about what and how youโre willing to carry these things on your walk the next day.
Recommend this experience and the company 100%. Thanks team! read less
L7624ZLadrianm
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
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
