4 Day Abel Tasman Kayak & Walk South

Kayak north to the Marine Reserve and then return to Marahau via the coastal track.

Spend four day (2 kayaking/2 walking) so you can explore Marahau to Onetahuti.

This trip will see you kayaking the diverse and stunning coastline between Marahau and Onetahuti beach over two days and then retracing your footsteps via the Abel Tasman Great Walk coastal track back to Marahau. We make all this possible by collecting your kayak for you on day two at Onetahuti and leave you to walk South through what Lonely Planet describes as the most beautiful section of track in the park. Spend your last night at Anchorage before heading back to our base in Marahau for a hot shower.

Recommended campsites: Night 1: Observation Beach or Te Pukatea Bay. Night 2: Onetahuti. Night 3: Anchorage. 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 over the 47m suspension bridge across Falls River.
On your kayaking days, choose to stay at the smaller campsites in the park that you can only access from the water.

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

$233

Duration

4 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
Water Taxi: No water taxi cruises
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 and Saddleback/Tieke.

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

NZ fur seals Kekeno can be seen at the northern end of the island.

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’.

Falls River Swing Bridge

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

Onetahuti & Surrounds

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

Lagoons

Torrent Bay Lagoon, Sandfly Bay, Frenchman Bay & Shag Harbour (marker) are all great places to explore on a high tide.

Bark Bay - Anchorage

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

Lookout

Enjoy the views from the lookout.

Marahau causeway

Black Beech

Lookout for black beech around the headlands, hard beech on the lowlands & red beech on inland hills. The black beech has a honeydew scale insect which feeds on the sap of the tree you might see birds feeding on the honeydew.

Onetahuti kayak pick up

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

Night 1

Observation Beach Campsite (marker) (6 sites) (water access only) or Watering Cove Campsite (5 sites).

Night 2

Onetahuti Bay Campsite (20 sites)

Night 3

Anchorage Campsite (50 sites)

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.

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

Kayak to Onetahuti.

3.15pm

Kayak pick up at Onetahuti.

Spend the night at Onetahuti or Tonga Quarry.
Day 3

Walk from Onetahuti to Anchorage (high tide route approx 6hrs, 17.9km, low tide route approx 5hrs, 14.8km). Spend the night at Anchorage.
Day 4

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	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4
	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
Dinner	Lunch	Dinner
Snacks	Snacks	Snacks	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

Well organised and friendly company with good equipment and attention to safety. We really enjoyed the water taxi ride up to a beach along the Abel Tasman track for lunch , followed by a unhurried kayak over to Adele island to visit the seal colony and then a kayak back to base.

Des T

Earth, sea and sky is the perfect way to experience the beauty of Abel Tasman national park.
Our guides were the perfect mix of funny, friendly and knowledgeable. There are a handful of companies that offer a similar sort of trip, we chose this one from advice from a local, and have no regrets. Perfect way to spend a day.

anthonyrobinson

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

It was very good and funny with Ian and molly. Ian has a lot of interesting knowledges about the flora and fauna of the island around this spot.

Caroline 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... read more read less

briohnyp

Ontzettend genoten. Gekozen om s’ochtends 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

4 Day Kayak & Walk South

Kayak north to the Marine Reserve and then return to Marahau via the coastal track.

Price

Duration

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Astrolabe

Kaka

Falls River Swing Bridge

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Lagoons

Bark Bay - Anchorage

Lookout

Marahau causeway

Black Beech

Onetahuti kayak pick up

Night 1

Night 2

Night 3

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Preparation

FAQS

Kayak Rentals

4 Day Park Start

Guided Kayak Tours, Walking Tours

Three Day Tiki Tour

What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

4 Day Kayak & Walk South

Kayak north to the Marine Reserve and then return to Marahau via the coastal track.

Price

Duration

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Astrolabe

Kaka

Falls River Swing Bridge

Onetahuti & Surrounds

Lagoons

Bark Bay - Anchorage

Lookout

Marahau causeway

Black Beech

Onetahuti kayak pick up

Night 1

Night 2

Night 3

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Preparation

FAQS

Other trips you may like

Kayak Rentals

4 Day Park Start

Guided Kayak Tours, Walking Tours

Three Day Tiki Tour

What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

<img src="https://www.abeltasmankayaks.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/abel-tasman-logo-white.svg" class="attachment-large size-large" alt="" decoding="async" />