Combine our best one day kayak tour with a night camping, and a walk in the Abel Tasman National Park!
On the first day, join the Remote Marine Reserve tour. This tour is designed to coincide with the tide, it means on any given departure we offer the best part of the park to explore the marine reserve to the fullest by kayak. At the end of day one spend the night camping at either Bark Bay or Anchorage.
Day two, walk unguided the coastal track from Bark Bay to Anchorage, or vice versa, depending on the previous nights campsite location.
If coming from Bark Bay walk up through the lush coastal forest before crossing the 47 m suspension bridge across Falls River. Sidle around two valleys before descending down to Torrent Bay. From here you have two options: take the high tide route and explore Cleopatra’s Pool or spend the afternoon taking in the surrounds of Anchorage. The estuary can be crossed within two hours either side of low tide, or an all-tide track leads around to Anchorage. If walking from Anchorage this walk will be reversed.
As the day concludes, catch a late afternoon water taxi from either Anchorage or Bark Bay back to Marahau, rounding off your memorable overnight adventure.
Paddling is our business, with all activities supported by our purpose-built kayak base, complimentary hot showers, wifi, equipment storage & client transporters. We also provide high-quality soft gear – fitted for each client by our guides and high-quality hard gear – customised for comfort for each client.
On the kayak trip covering the Tonga Island Marine Reserve you have a professional guide with you for around 7 hours sharing their knowledge and passion of the Abel Tasman. We cater a snack and lunch designed around your health and energy for day one. All other meals and snacks are to be supplied by you. Camp passes and 1 bag transfer each way is included in our packaged price. Please note camping gear is supplied by clients or hired through us this can be booked online at time of booking.
Every trip is unique like each of our clients.
Price
$370pp
Duration
2 Days
- Check-in: 8.15 am
- Open: 1 Oct – 30 Apr
- Age: Minimum 12 years, under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult on a 1 to 1 ratio
- Food: Partially catered (includes lunch on guided kayak trip)
- Paddling: Approximately 4 hours 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
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 One
8.15 amCheck in and meet your guide.8.30 amWater Taxi.
Your day kayaking is based around the tide. We will let you know on check in which kayak option will be on offer or you can check our tide timetable in the description.Awaroa - Bark Bay
9.45 amArrive Awaroa10.00 amKayak from Awaroa to Bark Bay. Total kayak time approx 4 hrs with breaks.1.15 pmEnjoy lunch in the Onetahuti area.3.30 pmArrive Bark Bay.3.45 pmSpend the night at Bark Bay campsite. -
Onetahutui - Anchorage
9.30 amArrive Onetahuti.
9.45 amKayak Onetahuti to Anchorage approx 4 hrs with breaks.
12.30 pmEnjoy lunch in the Bark Bay area.
3.45 pmArrive at Anchorage.
4.0 0pmSpend the night at Anchorage campsite.
Day Two
Walk from Bark Bay to Anchorage (high tide route approx 4 hrs, 11.5 km, low tide route approx 3 hrs, 8.4 km) or Anchorage to Bark Bay depending on where you spent the night.3.45 pmDepart Bark Bay on water taxi.or4.00 pmDepart Anchorage on water taxi.4.30 pmArrive back in Marahau. -
Preparation
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.
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.
Food: This trip is self catered you will need 1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast and snacks. Your kayak trip includes lunch. Be sure to bring enough food for your whole journey. 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, and untreated water is available at the campsites.
*Please note: These are an estimate of timings.
We Provide
A double kayak, buoyancy vest, paddle, spray skirt, paddle jacket, dry bags for cameras and of course an awesome Abel Tasman Kayaks guide.
FAQS
-
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 guided kayaking?
Guided customers need to be 12+. Under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult for all tours excluding Split Apple Classic. The age for Split Apple Classic Guided is 8+ and anyone under the age of 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult.
-
Is food included on our tour?
Lunch is included on all our guided tours except the Split Apple Classic. It is one of the great reasons to go on a trip with Abel Tasman Kayaks. Summer lunches are a freshly baked roll filled with local produce, a sweet snack, fruit, fresh plunger coffee and local juice. In winter we offer hot seasonal soup, home made bread rolls, fresh plunger coffee and local juice. Vegetarian and dietary requirements can be catered for, please ask at time of booking. Two, Three & Five Day Classic’s & Source to Sea are fully catered. Two Day & Three Day Tiki Tour trips require some catering by you. Check out the trip description to see what meals are required.
-
More FAQ’s
A full list of our FAQ’s can be found here.
Other trips you may like
What our customers say
Can absolutely recommend this company. They organised a tramping trip combined with a kayak trip. Did all the bookings, answered endless emails and were so helpful. All the staff were incredibly friendly. The marine tour itself was a highlight. Our guide was brilliant and it was no problem that I'd never kayaked before. The equipment was great and all in all just a fabulous... read moreCan absolutely recommend this company. They organised a tramping trip combined with a kayak trip. Did all the bookings, answered endless emails and were so helpful. All the staff were incredibly friendly. The marine tour itself was a highlight. Our guide was brilliant and it was no problem that I'd never kayaked before. The equipment was great and all in all just a fabulous experience. Thanks guys! read less
Anne H
We did the 2 night 3 day ‘remote coast overnighter’ option, with the first day a guided kayak through the marine reserve, followed by two nights walking out of the park, camping at the end of the kayaking day at Bark Bay and the second night at Anchorage. Both campsites were stunning beaches as all of them are. Bark Bay was camping on the sand back from the beach,... read moreWe did the 2 night 3 day ‘remote coast overnighter’ option, with the first day a guided kayak through the marine reserve, followed by two nights walking out of the park, camping at the end of the kayaking day at Bark Bay and the second night at Anchorage. Both campsites were stunning beaches as all of them are. Bark Bay was camping on the sand back from the beach, it had fascinating kaka (cheeky native parrots recently released into the wild there). There is a cold (public) beach shower at both locations which was an unexpected bonus to freshen up after a dip in the sea. Anchorage was a grassed canpsite next to another stunning golden beach with interesting caves at the end, lovely for a quiet evening explore when the beach was almost empty despite being peak season. We were blessed with perfect weather and the trip was very well organised with high safety and environmental standards. Non kiwis might need to be aware the sea is not tropical island warm in early Jan, but is fine if you’re used to cooler sea swimming (and if not, take a deep breath and do it.)
Darren has decades of experience guiding the region and spoke about lots of different topics from geology, flora and fauna, and some of the environmental issues and politics of the region. We both felt safe in his hands and enjoyed the trip so much. Saw dolphins, seals and sea lions, a couple of bobbing penguins, and stunning birdlife. By far the best trip we have done despite now having done quite a few guided adventures in our home NZ and overseas. Whether alone or with a friend or group, I fully recommended Abel Tasman Kayaks for a taste of kiwi adventure in one of the most stunning relatively unspoilt environments on this planet. read less
Greer7
