3 Day Kayak & Walk South

Price

$308 NZ pp

Duration

3 Days

Kayak North to the Marine Reserve and then experience on foot the 47m swing bridge on the coastal track.

Kayak the diverse and stunning coastline between Marahau and Onetahuti beach over two days.

Walk south over what Lonely Planet describes as the most beautiful section of track on the Abel Tasman Great Walk coastal track on your last day. Take in the stunning view of Anchorage before getting collected by water taxi for the final leg, a scenic cruise back to Marahau.

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

Start paddling at Marahau & 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 the section of the coastal track rated as the best by Lonely Planet
Walk over the 47m suspension bridge across Falls River
Choose to stay at the smaller campsites in the park that you can only access from the water
Enjoy a water taxi ride at the end of your trip 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 (10.30 am & noon subject to availability) (1 Oct – 30 Apr) 9.00am (1 May – 30 Sep)
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.

Anchorage & Surrounds

Drift into Torrent Bay Lagoon on a high tide. Optional short walks can be accessed from Anchorage.

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Explore the forest fringed granite coastline and tidal estuaries.

Astrolabe

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

Onetahuti & Surrounds

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

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’.

Falls River Swing Bridge

Cross the 40-meter swing bridge and enjoy the elevated views over the falls river.

Bark Bay to Anchorage

Lonely Planet describes this section of track as one of the most beautiful sections of track on the Abel Tasman Great Walk coastal track.

Onetahuti kayak pick up

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

Anchorage passenger pick up

Night 1

Observation Beach Campsite (marker) (6 sites) (water access only) or Watering Cove Campsite (5 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 or Te Pukatea Bay.
Day 2

3.15pm

Water taxi pick up kayak from Onetahuti.

Spend the night at Onetahuti.
Day 3

Walk from Onetahuti to Anchorage (high tide route approx 6hrs, 17.9km, low tide route approx 5hrs, 14.8km).

3.45pm

Water Taxi pick up Anchorage.

4.30pm

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
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

Mark was a great guide , very informative And a brill sense of humour Would highly recommend this trip we had a fabulous day . Thank you

Lilian

Amazing company. We felt well cared for. The logistics of our trip were so comfortable (3 hour kayak along coast and out to a bird sanctuary island then beach and lunch and a 4+ hour hike back to start along the coastline - we took longer than most due to a desire to dawdle and explore beaches, and we're 70+).Staff are all enthusiastic, caring, and obviously in love with their jobs and their country. It's a fantastic experience. There are many options which they can help you sort through and choose the best one for you, your group, and your time availability.I'd give 10 stars if I could.

Marilyn H

Wonderful tour. A great combination of traveling independently and being guided by a tour guide for part of the trip.

GetYourGuide traveler

Such an incredible walk and we really enjoyed our two days with the kayaks! Day 1: kayaked from Marahau to Te Pukatea; Day 2: kayaked Te Pukatea to Onetahuiti then walked to Waiharakeke - big day but breaking it up made it a lot more manageable. Third day: walked Waiharakeke to Anapai Bay. 4th day: Anapai Bay, loop around to Separation point and back to Totaranui. All pretty average fitness and not experienced kayakers but we managed the kayaking just fine. Highly recommend doing the kayak/walk split as it was a great way to break it up and it was beautiful out on the water. Also very impressed with our pickup crews boating skills - it was a VERY choppy day on pick up, but they operated like a well oiled machine to get us and our gear safely on the boat. Abel Tasman Kayaks were great and really helpful and I would certainly recommend using them. Overall a great experience, good camping facilities (some with flushing toilets!) and incredible views. Make sure to check the tidal crossings and watch out for Wekas!!

Amelia R

I had a great tour with Abel Tasman Kayaks. All the staff I met at the base were great, and the guide for my kayaking - Gareth - was very friendly and informative. It was awesome that we got a ride on a tractor to get to the beach with the kayaks. The kayaking part of the tour was my favourite, Gareth gave some awesome commentary and stayed at the pace of the group which meant no one got left behind. We also got to go across to Adele Island, and see some seals!

The lunch was delicious (maybe one of the best tour lunches Ive had!).

The walk back was good as we could go at our own pace, and go in to the little bays along the way and explore.

briohnyp

Top! The girl who was the guide was very good in teaching and dealing with the team.We have seen lots of animals

Martina C

Price

Duration

Kayak North to the Marine Reserve and then experience on foot the 47m swing bridge on the coastal track.

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Anchorage & Surrounds

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Astrolabe

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Kaka

Falls River Swing Bridge

Bark Bay to Anchorage

Onetahuti kayak pick up

Anchorage passenger pick up

Night 1

Night 2

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Preparation

FAQS

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What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

3 Day Kayak & Walk South

Price

Duration

Kayak North to the Marine Reserve and then experience on foot the 47m swing bridge on the coastal track.

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Anchorage & Surrounds

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Astrolabe

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Kaka

Falls River Swing Bridge

Bark Bay to Anchorage

Onetahuti kayak pick up

Anchorage passenger pick up

Night 1

Night 2

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Preparation

FAQS

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What our customers say

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