Price
$277 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 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.
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)
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
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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 or Te Pukatea Bay. -
Day 2
3.15pmWater 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).3.45pmWater Taxi pick up Anchorage.
4.30pmReturn 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
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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. 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.
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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. 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.
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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.
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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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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.
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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 FAQ’s can be found here.
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What our customers say
We booked the Park Start which is a 3 day and 2 night trip which starts by taking a water taxi up to the Northern part of the National park where you’re dropped off enabling you to kayak back to Marahau with the wind behind you! The kayaks are spacious with lots of room for tent, other camping equipment and clothes for the trip, and the compartments in the boat... read moreWe booked the Park Start which is a 3 day and 2 night trip which starts by taking a water taxi up to the Northern part of the National park where you’re dropped off enabling you to kayak back to Marahau with the wind behind you! The kayaks are spacious with lots of room for tent, other camping equipment and clothes for the trip, and the compartments in the boat are pretty much water tight. Abel Tasman Kayaks provide a dry bag and big plastic bags if you need them to keep your things dry. They also do a good safety briefing to get you started before you go including a practice paddle on the water. The company booked our campsites which made life easier and the map provided of the coastline is really useful. My only criticism would be that we had to be at the site at 8.15am for a briefing but didn’t actually get our water taxi until 11.30 so felt like we were missing out on time when we could’ve been on the water. All in all an excellent company and way to explore Abel Tasman national Park. read less
stefsabb
Find the time to put this trip on your bucket list, but more importantly make the time to take the trip so it's not on the list anymore. We did the 5 day kayak trip with ATK- Kyle was our guide and I can't think of a way we could have enjoyed the trip more.(oh, wait ...if I had zero sandfly bites...) Not Kyle's fault and still not a detractor... read moreFind the time to put this trip on your bucket list, but more importantly make the time to take the trip so it's not on the list anymore. We did the 5 day kayak trip with ATK- Kyle was our guide and I can't think of a way we could have enjoyed the trip more.(oh, wait ...if I had zero sandfly bites...) Not Kyle's fault and still not a detractor for this wonderful trip. I kayak in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S. and have wanted to explore this part of New Zealand for years. I had a hard time trying to decide if the three day or five day trip would be best....Soooo glad that I booked the five day and would tell anyone thinking about this experience to find the extra two days in your life and commit to the 5 day trip. It really let us explore so much more of the park and the actual paddling was not difficult if you have done at least some paddling before hand. If you paddle regularly than you'd be silly to not take the five day trip. My other concerns going in were the food, and that the itinerary seemed quite vague on all the websites from ATK. Well both of those concerns were a joke looking back. I'd guess most people gain a few kilos on the trip as the food was really well done, lots of options, and even more quantity than eveyone in our trip would ever eat.(Pretty much every dinner Kyle would have to go find hungry backpackers to share our extra's with)(Find hungry backpackers was never a problem!). The itinerary concern I was creating in my head, I'm embarrassed to say I should have figured out in advance. The reason is that the guides for the five day trips have their act together and balance the trip to weather, tides, ability of the group, etc... and then due to a high number of places to go and camp- take you to the best places based on all the data. I spoke with many other people about if how our group operated was unique (no), if the other guides were as good (yes) (however I'm keen to think Kyle was phenomenal anyway). We had great weather for the entire trip, wind was a factor a couple times, but our guide Kyle adjusted his timing and it all worked out. Other key parts that make this a 5/5; The shuttle bus driver was already waiting for us on our early morning pick up from Nelson..and we were early, he was also very professional and fun. The office staff were quick to provide answers to questions from pre trip, to check in, to departure afterwards. The nice little food kiosk on site had great coffee to help launch us, and they had nice treats to eat after the journey. The equipment was in decent condition and the guide was very well equipped with supplies, radio, and plans for pretty much anything. I brought along several friends on this trip and ATK made this trip exceptional for everyone of us. I really could not say enough complementary things about how well organized, thoughtful, prepared, and professional their team we experienced was. Best use of five days of my life ever!
Highlights- Our guide Kyle and the trainee( he had for first day and a half), food, variety of marine life, swimming, clean toilets at campsites. read less
Peter C
Absolutely loved it
I had never ever done Kayaking and got into it as my birthday gift from Sachin, my husband.
Amazing, spectacular and must do !! Excellent well organised and fantastic location with great guides like Whitey and Georgia who were patient and skilled. Loved all the local stories Whitey shared with us….
Would rate this is the best adventure to date I have done read moreAbsolutely loved it
I had never ever done Kayaking and got into it as my birthday gift from Sachin, my husband.
Amazing, spectacular and must do !! Excellent well organised and fantastic location with great guides like Whitey and Georgia who were patient and skilled. Loved all the local stories Whitey shared with us….
Would rate this is the best adventure to date I have done read less
Smita and Sachi... S
My wife and I just returned from a 2 day trip with ATK - we started our adventure in Marahau and took a 40 minute water taxi up the coast to Awaroa. We’d have loved to do the 3 day trip which covers the same coastline but includes a few nature walks a however, we were NOT disappointed by the truncated experience. We were paired off with one other... read moreMy wife and I just returned from a 2 day trip with ATK - we started our adventure in Marahau and took a 40 minute water taxi up the coast to Awaroa. We’d have loved to do the 3 day trip which covers the same coastline but includes a few nature walks a however, we were NOT disappointed by the truncated experience. We were paired off with one other lovely family in for a reunion, and the endlessly talented guide Isaac, who had us all feeling like Whānau by the end of the trip. The thing that really impresses me about this tour is how meticulously they have figured out to time the various side quests, swims and meal breaks so that it lines up with the tide. In terms of sights, the highlights for me would have to be:1) Tonga island, where we saw dozens of young seal pup-mum pairings and learned about the impressive comeback this species has made over the last several years. 2) Shag Harbour, a beautiful inlet accessible only during high tide with crystal clear water and a symphony of cicada song3) Mosquito bay (reportedly named this to reduce foot traffic - not at all buggy), a beachhead campground accessible only by kayak 4) Watering cove near Te Karetu point - where you drink delicious, crystal clear & cool spring water directly from the sourceIf you are reading and thinking “but I am not an experienced kayaker”, this is NOT a necessity for this trip. If you are in reasonable shape, eager to learn and put in effort you’ll get through the ~30km of ground with no problem. My wife and I were lagging a bit behind because of some motion sickness and Isaac seamlessly built in breaks and sightseeing to keep us caught up and feeling good. The food is excellent and abundant - I won’t spoil the particulars. Finally, I’d be woefully remiss if I didn’t emphasize again just what an incredible guide Isaac was for our group. He is kind, outgoing, thoughtful and has a deep knowledge and love for NZ, Abel Tasman Park, and Maori culture. The depth of his knowledge for the flora & fauna, natural and human history of the area would be impressive for a guide 10 years his senior. He carries all of it off with such nonchalance - and always with a smile and a laugh (and a piece of ginger candy when my wife was worse for wear on the mad mile)Go on this trip, with this group. We will be back, and we hope he’s there to show us another adventure read less
Tim R
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
We went on a kayak trip and then hike. Everything was extraordinarily beautiful and service was fantastic and perfect from beginning to end. Our guide was Hayley and she was friendly, knowledgeable, easy-to-chat with, and made everyone feel safe and secure. She shared interesting facts along the way about the park (and New Zealand generally), provided flexibility around where we paddled based on group preferences, took us to a quick... read moreWe went on a kayak trip and then hike. Everything was extraordinarily beautiful and service was fantastic and perfect from beginning to end. Our guide was Hayley and she was friendly, knowledgeable, easy-to-chat with, and made everyone feel safe and secure. She shared interesting facts along the way about the park (and New Zealand generally), provided flexibility around where we paddled based on group preferences, took us to a quick beach stop before our lunch beach stop, recommended a great burger place for after, and made us all laugh. ❤️ read less
O1600HSamyh
