Price
$530pp
Duration
2 Days
Experience the remoteness of the Northern part of the park over two glorious days.
Short on time but want to experience the Northern end of the park? This trip offers one day unguided walking and one day guided kayak. This trip has been designed for those wanting to experience the top of the park.
We have taken our popular Three Day Tiki and broken it into the first two days. This is ‘kiwi tikiing’ at its best!
Water taxi to Totaranui and spend the first day walking in the northern section of the park. Your unguided walk takes you through lush coastal forest, over gentle ridgelines, and along golden-sand beaches, offering a perfect balance of forest and shoreline. After crossing the Awaroa Lagoon spend a night at Awaroa Glamping, at Awaroa.
Day two sees you paddling on our Remote Marine Reserve Tour. At the end of the day return to Marahau by water taxi.
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 this trip in the marine reserve you have a professional guide with you for around 6 hours sharing their knowledge and passion of the Abel Tasman. We also cater a snack and lunch on day two. Please note all other food is to be supplied by the client.
Every trip is unique like each of our clients.
Single supplement $90pp
We are normally able to secure space at Awaroa Glamping but at peak times this may not be possible, when booking your reservation it will be unconfirmed until we secure space. In the event we are not able to secure space we can discuss alternative accommodation in the National Park.
- Check-in: 8.15 am
- Open: 1 Oct – 30 Apr
- Age: Minimum age is 12 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 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: Two water taxi cruises
- Bus: $80 Nelson return, $40 Motueka return operating 1 Oct – 30 Apr. On request outside of these times
- Media Pack:
Free social-ready images and video
Departure Times
Your trip includes an Environmental Access Fee which goes directly towards preserving the Abel Tasman National Park.
Risk Disclosure: For an understanding of the potential risks please click here and read before you book.
Itinerary
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Day One
8.15 amCheck in and we will provide tips and a map for your walk.8.30 amWater Taxi Marahau to Totaranaui.
10.00 amArrive Totaranui.
Walk Totaranui to Awaroa 2 hours, 5.5kms. Arrive Awaroa Glamping for your night’s accommodation.
Your day two 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.
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Awaroa - Bark Bay
9.00 amDepart Awaroa and walk to Awaroa Beach.
9.30 amMeet your guide who will arrive via water taxi.10.00 amKayak from Awaroa - Bark Bay. Kayak approx 4 hours with breaks.1.15 pmEnjoy lunch in the Onetahuti area.3.30 pmArrive Bark Bay.3.45 pmWater Taxi to Marahau.4.30 pmArrive back in Marahau. -
Onetahuti - Anchorage
8.00 amDepart Awaroa and walk to Onetahuti.
9.45 amMeet your guide who will arrive on a water taxi.10.00 amKayak from Awaroa to Bark Bay. Kayak approx 4 hours with breaks.12.30 pmEnjoy lunch in the Bark Bay area.3.45 pmArrive Anchorage.4.00 pmWater Taxi to Marahau.4.30 pmArrive back in Marahau.
*Please note: This is an estimate of timings. Trip may change due to tide.
What to bring
Personal water bottle, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent, towel, swimwear, warm top (wool or fleece), wind jacket, a change of clothes, cameras and any medication. You will also need clothing and changes of clothing for the number of days you are out, torch, first aid kit. Food 1 lunch, 1 dinner, 1 breakfast and snacks provided by you. Kayak trip includes lunch. Awaroa Glamping has options available for dinner at your own cost, these need to be pre-ordered a few days before departure. 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. Filtered water is available at our base, untreated water is available at campsites and huts and will require treating/boiling before using.
We Provide
A double sea kayak, buoyancy vest, paddle, spray skirt, paddle jacket, dry bags for cameras, a map and of course an awesome Abel Tasman Kayaks guide on the guided kayak day.
FAQS
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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 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.
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Is food included on our tour?
Lunch is included in all our guided tours, except for the Split Apple Classic, making it one of the many reasons to join Abel Tasman Kayaks. Summer lunches are a freshly baked roll filled with local produce, a sweet snack and fruit. We also provide fresh plunger coffee, tea and local juice; however, drinks are not included on the Earth Sea Sky trip due to timing. 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.
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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
Of all the excursions during our time in NZ, this was certainly one of the most beautiful by far.In the morning there was a short introduction to the day's schedule at the base in Marahau. First in the morning there was a 3-hour hike along the golden bays of the Abel Tasmans National Park and after lunch a guided kayak tour from Observation Beach back to Marahau.The hike in bright sunshine was an absolute highlight. Through the beautiful green of the forest, always with a view of the glittering bays, birds in the trees and small waterfalls along the way.At lunchtime our guide welcomed us with a fantastic lunch, tea & coffee (and chocolate cake^^) at the beautiful Observation Beach, where we fortified ourselves and finally received instructions for the kayaks.Finally we went out on the water in two-person kayaks, which is quite intimidating if you have never paddled on the sea before.We went through the bay against the wind and waves.First in wilder water, but later in the shallow water near the coast, we watched seals playing and eating in the water, we drove through narrow crevices in the rocks, maneuvered along golden beaches.We "sailed" the last leg of the trip. We "built" a raft and a sail out of our kayaks, paddles and a cloth and the wind drove us back to the shore.Even as beginners, we felt super safe and had a fantastic experience with Abel Tasman Sea Kayaks.What a breathtaking landscape and wildlife, we will remember this day for a long time.
Sabrina D
Lovely kayak trip with some good info of the area. Water was calm which was really nice! Hike is reasonable, some climbs although followed by flat spurts.
Melissa
Went out with them 5 years ago and delighted it’s still the same amazing service.
I thought it was class that they spent so long on the phone with me and were so helpful with suggestions of which campsites and routing for our freedom kayak.
I thought it was unbelievable value to hire 2 kayaks a tent some gas get a lift back all for just over £100! The instructor gave us at least an hour of her time to explain everything and take us out on the water. Staff very friendly and made it fun.
Only feedback we have is that the baggage transfer felt a little disorganised. I think using some tags or something would be good.
nat baldwin
Just wanted to leave a review to say thanks to Abel Tasman Kayaks for an awesome experience. All of the staff were so helpful, friendly and accomodating. I had no previous experience paddling so was honestly a bit nervous but right from the start the guy sorting us out (can’t remember his name but he was the big blonde Viking, you know who you are) was so chilled and informative that he quickly dismantled any doubts. The kayaks had so much space we could easily have taken triple the amount of food that we did. The campsites were awesome. We got maps that were super helpful. Everything was perfect. Honestly blown away with how good this trip was. 100% recommend. Cheers.
Zac E
Great way to explore Abel tasmen! Many trip options but also can chop and change with ideas we did a 3 day kayak made into four with a beach day in between. Great company - they teach you all the basics before you start out & go on a test run beforehand. Showers available at the end! Really recommend 5⭐️
Kate W
We had an amazing experience! We just booked 15 min before the start it is was still possible. Fast and efficient security briefing and drop off and pick up service from the store to the beach included. There are also showers which was awesome. We definitevly recommend!
Benjamin Trey
