kayaking
Kayak The Abel Tasman
- Paddling »
- Abel Tasman National Park
The Abel Tasman is the ultimate kayaking destination in New Zealand: golden sandy beaches, bright blue sea and all surrounded by steep, densely forested hills. You can choose fully guided and catered trips, or strike out independently choosing your own path. Kayak for anything between one to three days - it's all up to you!
The Abel Tasman is the ultimate kayaking destination in New Zealand: golden sandy beaches, bright blue sea and all surrounded by steep, densely forested hills. You can choose fully guided and catered trips, or strike out independently choosing your own path. Kayak for anything between one to three days - it's all up to you!
Activity in brief
- Duration:
- 1 - 2 days
- Start - End:
- Onetahuti - Marahau
- Transport:
- Water Taxi
Accommodation: Designated Great Walk Huts and Campsites
Nearest Town: Kaiteriteri, Marahau
Activity Overview
Please Note Kayaking In The Abel Tasman Is Available From October To April
The Abel Tasman region definitely lives up to its reputation as a paradise on earth. The beauty of the golden sandy beaches, glittering blue waters, strange granite rock formations and deep green forested hills combine with weather that is usually benign and sunny to create a jaw dropping spectacle. This area was also the site of the first contact between Maori and Europeans when the Dutch explorer Abel Tasman visited here in 1642.
Kayaking around this spectacular environment is a justifiably popular activity and there are a huge variety of options when it comes to your itinerary. Water taxis allow for great flexibility transporting yourself, kayaks and gear wherever you need to be.
Itineraries
Personalised Itineraries
- There are a multitude of options for kayaking around this area - either on a personalised guided tour or an independent trip.
- You can also get out on the water for just the day or up to three days if you wish.
- On top of this you can also divide your time between kayaking and walking the Coast Track - let us know what you want to do and we can organise it for you.
Contact us to find out more!
Include Kayaking the Abel Tasman in your unique Multi-Activity Trip
You can combine this kayak trip with any other activity on this website to create your own unique itinerary.
When you develop your own tailor-made itinerary with us, it's fully customised with your choice of activities, accommodation and transport around New Zealand - Click here for more information about Multi-Activity Trips or Enquire Now to get started.
BOOK this trip online now...
Two Day Guided and Independent Combo Kayak Tour
- One day guiding plus double kayaks, safety gear and clothing included.
- All Abel Tasman transportation included.
- Return shuttle from Nelson available.
- Lunch on Day One included.
- Various accommodation options available.
Day One: Onetahuti to Anchorage (4 Hours). Board your early morning water taxi at Marahau and head out to Onetahuti in the northern part of the park. Here you guide take you through some quick safety briefing and training then you're on your way. Prepare to be enchanted from the moment you set eyes on your new found paradise. Along the route Tonga Island will not disappoint with its abundance of playful seals. When you reach Anchorage you'll be staying at the awesome beachside DOC campsite (camping gear rental available), and in the evening relax in the beautiful surrounds and discover the glow worm caves. You can also upgrade your accommodation to a bunk in the comfortable DOC hut.
Day Two: Anchorage to Marahau (4 hours). Rise and shine to another stunning Abel Taman morning and embark on another breath-taking day. Today you kayak independently south to Marahau via the sheltered Astrolabe waters and visit the islands, bursting with seals and bird life. On return to Marahau you can reflect on this experience as surely one of your most memorable trips ever!
Pricing: Two Day Guided and Independent Combo Kayak Tour
From NZD$320 per person (only available for persons aged 14 or over). Includes 1 day guiding, kayak plus clothing and equipment, lunch on Day 1, accommodation and transportation.
Accommodation upgrade: DOC Hut from NZD$45 per person.
Book NowActivity Planning
When to go
These trips are available from October to April.
Late summer is a great time to kayak the Abel Tasman: the weather is still balmy and the seas are warm. There is also fewer hordes of people around too, this is after all the most popular National Park in New Zealand.
Of course bad weather is possible at any time of year. Your tour will only be cancelled if unsafe weather conditions are visible or forecast. In this situation, we will offer you an alternative tour day or we will refund you if an alternative doesn’t suit.
What to bring
We organise:
Top quality double sea kayak, buoyancy aid, spray skirt, paddle jacket, paddle, waterproof map, all safety gear.
Guided trips also include:
All your food, dry bag for cameras, tent, sleeping bag including liner, self inflating bed roll, heavy duty plastic bags for personal gear.
You will need to bring:
Waterproof jacket
Lots of warm clothes
Water bottle
Sunscreen
Insect repellant
If kayaking independently:
Sleeping bag, food and cooking equipment.
Accommodation
Accommodation in the park
Camping
Camping at a stunning waterside location - what could be better! On guided trips all gear is provided with large tents, soft mattresses and all the catering too. Good vibes guaranteed...
Huts
We will arrange your accommodation in the Department of Conservation Great Walk Huts along the track. They feature toilets, fresh water, mattresses, tables, benches and heating.
For more information about backcountry huts in New Zealand please checkout our Accommodation page.
Accommodation in Nelson-Tasman
We can organise your accommodation in the Nelson-Tasman region for before and after your walk if you wish. Please let us know what sort of accommodation you are looking for when you make your booking for this activity, and we can discuss the options with you
Transportation
One Day Guided Kayak
We organise water taxi transportation for you from Marahau in the morning. This takes you out to Onetahuti in the northern reaches of the park. You then finish kayaking at Anchorage where another water taxi returns you to Marahau.
Two Day Kayak
We organise water taxi transportation for you from Marahau in the morning. This takes you out to Onetahuti in the northern reaches of the park. From here you kayak back to Marahau.
Independant Kayaking
For any personalised independent trips we can arrange water taxis for you with a variety of drop off and pick up points for you within the park. It all depends where you want to start and finish. Contact us for more information.
Route Map
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For more information about us or our services contact us on
+ 64 3 390 1584
or email us at [email protected]
Enquire Now North Island Paddling
Paddling in the North Island Region
South Island Paddling
Paddling in the South Island region.
Most Popular Paddling
These paddling trips are really popular for a reason: Amazing scenery, good accessibility, great guides and excellent safety records. However, this does mean that they will get very busy in the peak summer season and accommodation gets booked up months in advance. Take the hassle out of your adventure and allow us to organise it all for you.
Family Friendly Paddling
If you are looking to do some paddling with children over the age of 10 then these are great options. They are easy to access and not excessively challenging. We know all about having adventures with the kids here at Active Aotearoa so let us help you find and organise the most suitable trip for your family.
Secluded Paddling
These paddling trips get you out into some serious wilderness where you will genuinely feel you have got off the main tourist route. We can help you find your perfect bit of solitude, and organise all the details for you too.