Spend three days walking independently one of New Zealand’s premier walks and let us take care of the rest.

Explore the Abel Tasman coastal track walking at your own pace. Relax and recharge over three glorious days exploring the many golden beaches and lush coastal native bush. Take your time to explore side tracks, relax and swim at beaches, the days are yours to savour and independently explore this great walk. In the evening relax and be taken care of by your knowledgeable guide.

This trip offers the best of both worlds, independent walking with the added luxury of being hosted by a guide in the evening and mornings. Your guide will take care of logistics and meals so you can concentrate on enjoying walking one of New Zealand’s great walks. Your guide will arrange the following:

  • Provide a map and outline track highlights for each day
  • Provide you with packed lunch and snacks
  • Transfer bags/items you don’t want to carry to your evening campsite
  • Set up and pack down your campsite and relocate to the next campsite
  • Host and prepare pre dinner drinks and nibbles, evening meals and breakfasts

The Abel Tasman is part of New Zealand’s great walk network and this premier track is designed for all levels of fitness. An outline of the journey is below. DoC’s full track brochure can be downloaded here. Summers call for lasting memories, and our Walking Classics do just that.

On this trip walking the coastline from Totaranui or Awaroa and surrounds to Marahau you have a professional guide with you in the morning and evenings sharing their knowledge and passion of the Abel Tasman. All meals are catered and designed around your health and energy.  Accommodation for this trip is at stunning beachside campsites and all camping gear is included. We offer a complimentary return bus transfer from Nelson/Motueka with Classic bookings.

Every trip is unique like each of our clients.

We have set a summer schedule but are flexible outside our Tues/Sat departures, please contact us directly for alternate dates.

Price

$799pp

Duration

3 Days

  • Check-in: 8.15 am
  • Open: Departs Sat & Tues Nov – Feb, Sat only in Mar. On request outside of these times
  • Age: Minimum 6 years, under the age of 18 you need to be accompanied by an adult on a 1 to 1 ratio
  • Food: Fully catered
  • Abel Tasman Great Walk: Approximately 4 – 6 hours depending on walk option
  • Water Taxi: One water taxi cruise
  • Bus: Free bus for direct bookings from Nelson or Motueka return operating 1 Nov – 31 Mar. On request outside of these times
  • Base Map - Abel Tasman Kayaks

Departure Times

Covid Passport All customers aged 12 yrs & 3 mths+ will need to present their ‘My Vaccine Pass’ before they can use our services.

The Department of Conservation require anyone overnighting in a hut or campsite or day visitors using hut or campsite facilities (except for toilets) to have a valid ‘My Vaccine Pass’.

Exemptions apply to those under 12 yrs & 3 mths.

Itinerary

  • Day One

    8.15am
    Check in and meet your guide.
    8.30am
    Water Taxi to Awaroa or Totaranui.
    9.45am
    Arrive Awaroa or Totaranui.
    10.00am
    Start walking. Totaranui to Awaroa 2hr 20min, 7.1km (tidal)
    Awaroa to Onetahuti, 1hr 30min, (4-5km)

    Highlights: Skinner point lookout, Goat Bay, Awaroa Lagoon, Tonga Saddle, boardwalk prior to Onetahuti beach.

    Arrive Onetahuti campsite.

    7.00pm
    Dinner and dessert.
    Day Two
    Breakfast.
    Pack any additional gear not required for the day.
    Walk from Onetahuti area to Anchorage.
    Onetahuti Bay to Bark Bay Hut (high tide track), 2 hr, 6.4 km
    Onetahuti Bay to Bark Bay (low tide crossing, Bark Bay estuary), 1 hr 45 min, 4.6 km

  • Day Two

    Bark Bay to Anchorage (high tide track), 4hr, 11.5km
    Bark Bay to Anchorage (Low tide Torrent Bay estuary), 3hr, 8.4km

    Highlights: Tonga Quarry, Bark Bay Estuary, Falls river & 47-metre long suspension bridge, Torrent Bay lookout, Torrent Bay Lagoon.

    Side trips: Cascade Creek, Cleopatras pool.
    Arrive Anchorage campsite.

    Arrive Anchorage campsite.
    7.00pm
    Dinner and dessert.

    Day Three

    8.00am
    Breakfast.

    9.00am
    Pack any additional gear not required for the day.
    9.30am
    Walk back to Marahau.
    4 hrs, 12.4km

    Highlights: Lookout at top of Anchorage, Yellow Point, views of Adele Island, Marahau wetlands.
    3.30pm
    Arrive Marahau and unpack gear. Enjoy showers and refreshments at the Abel Tasman Kayaks base.

  • Sample Menu

    Day One

    Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks freshly baked roll filled with local produce.

    Dinner: Mediterranean Pasta.



    Day Two

    Breakfast: Muesli and fruit and/or toasted bagels.

    Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks pita pockets.

    Dinner: Chickpea Curry.



    Day Three

    Breakfast: Muesli and fruit and/or French toast.

    Lunch: Abel Tasman Kayaks platter.

*Please note: These are an estimate of timings.

What to bring

Please bring personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimsuit, warm top (wool or fleece), wind jacket, a change of clothes, camera and any medication. Evening: Long pants, t-shirt, warm top (wool or fleece), trainers and socks, rain proof jacket. Personal: Toiletries, sleeping bag (we can provide this), torch.

We provide

We provide 2 person tents, thermarest inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags if required, plates, cutlery, cups, gas cookers, filtered water, all meals, accommodation in beachside campsites and of course an awesome Abel Tasman Kayaks guide for your evening and mornings.

FAQS

  • Do I need hiking boots?

    For walking the track, firm footwear is required, but boots are not essential, walking sandals or sports shoes are fine.

  • More FAQ’s

    A full list of our FAQ’s can be found here and our Covid-19 ones here

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What our customers say

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


briohnyp

Had a half day kayak with Balveer. He was friendly and informative and catered well to the needs of our small family group. Aside from talking about the area, he was a really interesting guy just to talk to. My son loved chewing the fat with him.


mlb209

Wij hebben gekozen voor een hele dag kajakken, zonder de wandeling, om zo meer van het Marine Reserve te kunnen ontdekken. Na een korte introductie konden we op pad. De watertaxi naar het beginpunt was al beter dan verwacht. De gids nam er alle tijd voor en liet ons al het één en ander zien waar we door het getij wellicht later niet mee bij konden.

Daarna volgde een korte... read more


NienkeNM

My partner and I got a day-hire kayak for 90pp. I couldn't recommend Abel Tasman Kayaks any higher. There was a thorough safety briefing before the day started and they kitted us out with all the equipment that we needed. The team was great at pointing out where it would be feasible to kayak for a day trip. Kayaking in the bays was great as well, lots of small private... read more


BrianY853

We booked in to do the half day seal sanctuary kayaking in early October 2019, and I’m very glad we did. We had such an amazing day with Abel Tasman kayaks - our guide Nicole was amazing, providing us with really clear and easy instructions, keeping us safe on the water, and sharing her knowledge about the area including its history and wildlife (as well as food and walk recommendations... read more


Lisa R

Had the most amazing trip on the two day classic tour. Kyle was an awesome guide who showed us lots of hidden treasures and made sure we had a great time (and were well fed!) A stunning way to experience Abel Tasman National Park, even for a non-experienced kayaker, would highly …


Adam Szentes

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