5 Day Kayak & Walk North

Price

$413 NZ pp

Duration

5 Days

Five blissful days, paddles lapping the water and feet walking to their own beat!

Spend three blissful days kayaking North to Onetahuti.

Your first few days will be filled with the sound of paddle strokes, marine life and your eyes will feast upon golden beaches and turquoise waters. Our briefing allows you to make the most of your three days on the water highlighting all the special spots to explore and places to stop. After three days on the water we pick up your kayak and you head on foot to the Northern part of the park. This section of the Abel Tasman Great Walk coastal track is blessed with lush native forests and big stands of Nikau and Southern Rata. It is a lot quieter up here and we recommend staying at what we consider some of the best campsites in the park (see below for recommendations). You can walk as far as Separation Point, see Golden Bay at the top of the park before heading back to Totaranaui on the last day where the water taxi will take you back to Marahau for a well earned hot shower.

Recommended campsites: Night 1: Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage. Night 2: Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay. Night 3: Onetahuti. Night 4: Anapai Bay. Camp passes included in price which we book on your behalf.

Have the time to enjoy the park at your own pace.
Paddle one way to the Marine Reserve.
Walk to Separation Point the Northern part of the park.
Experience the solitude of the beaches past Totaranui.
Return via Water Taxi from Totaranui to Marahau.
Enjoy our base facilities on completion of your trip.

Recommended campsites: Night 1: Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage. Night 2: Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay. Night 3: Onetahuti. Night 4: Anapai Bay. Campsites included in price which we book on your behalf.

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 7- 8 hours over two days
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.

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Explore the forest fringed granite coastline and tidal estuaries.

Anchorage & Surrounds

Paddle into the calm waters of Anchorage or drift into Torrent Bay Lagoon on a high tide. Optional short walks can be accessed from Anchorage.

Anchorage sunrise

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’.

Great views of the coast can be found on this section of track and the bush ranges from wetlands to lush native forest.

Totaranui passenger pick up

Kayak pickup

Onetahuti kayak pick up

Ponga / Silver fern

Keep you eyes peeled for Ponga / Silver fern New Zealand’s national emblem.

Walk start

Walk finish

Totaranui pick up.

No rental kayaking past this point (shag harbour)

Night 1

Te Pukatea Bay Campsite (marker) (7 sites) or Anchorage Campsite (50 sites).

Night 2 & 3

Bark Bay (marker) (40 sites) or Mosquito Bay (20 sites) (water access only).

Night 4

Anapai Bay Campsite (6 sites) or Mutton Cove Campsite (20 sites)

Walk to Separation Point and return to Totaranui

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 Te Pukatea Bay or Anchorage.
Day2

Spend the night at Bark Bay or Mosquito Bay.

Day 3

3.15pm

Kayak pick up at Onetahuti.

Spend the night at Onetahuti or Waiharakeke.
Day 4

Walk North to Totaranui.

Spend the night at Anapai Bay or Mutton Cove.

Day 5

2.45pm

Walk back to Totaranui for your water taxi pick up.

4.30pm

Arrive at Abel Tasman Kayak 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	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast	Breakfast
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
Dinner	Dinner	Dinner	Dinner
Snacks	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

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

We had an incredible experience hiking and then Kayaking with Abel Tasman Kayaks. Our guides were friendly and knowledgeable. They showed a true love for science and nature that was clear in all they spoke about and we learned so much. We also had a blast - the kayaks were extremely easy to use. We saw seals, sting rays, and so many birds. Would recommend this to anyone visiting the area!

gracecar0line

Abel Tasman Kayaks supported our 9 day hiking (self guided) and kayaking trip. There were a few hiccups along the way, as the trip got shifted around from kayaking first, hiking last, to the reverse, due to inclement weather. The owner, Jack, took us to the café pre our departure, treated us to coffee and muffins, explained the necessary changes, and gave us a revised detailed itinerary. What we all forgot was that we were ending up with less dehydrated food for the hiking portion than we needed, because of the changes, but Abel Tasman Kayaks, when made aware of this, wended up treating us to a lovely dinner and breakfast at Awaroa Lodge, and a very nice bag lunch, so we did not go hungry at all, quite the contrary! The scenery was as gorgeous as everyone has said, our kayak guide though young was knowledgeable and very fun to be with. And to cap things off, the company also provided us with a ride to Nelson airport, when we enquired about how to get there for our very early morning flight, not part of the original plan. In all, the company proved itself very nimble at responding to our needs and requests, and was good natured in doing so.

Jane S

Shoutout to Isaac (a.k.a. Food Mother), the best guide in the seven seas! I splurged on a private 5-day kayak tour. I have a decent amount of kayak experience and am very high-energy/high-fitness, and this company created the perfect itinerary for me. We paddled every inch of coastline in the park, hiked up some creeks, bathed in natural pools (not required!). In the water, we saw seals, blue penguins, sting rays, eagle rays, dolphins, longfin eels, and lots of different birds. On the beaches, we explored caves with glowworms and wetas. We camped on several beaches with nobody around. Sunsets and weather were amazing. Kayaking was epic. Scenery was unforgettable. I am also vegan, and they accommodated with amazing food. I’ve done a lot of traveling over the years, but this was a life highlight worth any amount of money.

Johnnyboy5000000

Absolutely worth it! Start the day with the walk and take a coffee at the bar in the beginning of the walk. Then meet up with the group and have a lunch before going with the kayak.Had the guide Tash ( 1st of March) and she was brilliant, explained everything from the seals lifecycle to the impact from the pest. Can't recommend it enough./the Swedish couple

Julafton

We had a great 3 days in the national park with Abke Tasman Kayaks. We were dropped off at the northern end of the park and paddled back slowly of the 3 days. The team was welcoming from the start, helpful with itinerary and showing us the equipment. Great maps and the boat skipper was very friendly and pointed all the spots along the way. Nightly recommend.

707philg

Louisa, our guide, was excellent. Three of us were first time kayakers and she was patient, very helpful and encouraging. Safety was first and she gave information on much of Abel Tasman national park.it was raining, but she made it enjoyable.The hike back was spectacular with the ferns, trees and periodic views of the water.

Jane B

Price

Duration

Five blissful days, paddles lapping the water and feet walking to their own beat!

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Anchorage & Surrounds

Astrolabe

Kaka

Kayak pickup

Ponga / Silver fern

Walk start

Walk finish

Night 1

Night 2 & 3

Night 4

Walk to Separation Point and return to Totaranui

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Preparation

FAQS

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5 Day Freedom

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What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

5 Day Kayak & Walk North

Price

Duration

Five blissful days, paddles lapping the water and feet walking to their own beat!

Adele Island Bird Sanctuary

NZ Fur Seal/Kekeno

Bark Bay & Surrounds

Anchorage & Surrounds

Astrolabe

Kaka

Kayak pickup

Ponga / Silver fern

Walk start

Walk finish

Night 1

Night 2 & 3

Night 4

Walk to Separation Point and return to Totaranui

Departure Times

Itinerary

Day 1

Day2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Preparation

FAQS

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5 Day Freedom

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What our customers say

#ABELTASMANKAYAKS

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