New Zealand Tourism Online

Abel Tasman Sea Kayaking, Nelson, New Zealand

The Sea Kayak Company Introduction

Come with the Sea Kayaking Company on our Abel Tasman sea-kayaking tours and journey through the ancient waterways of navigators of old; paddle the same routes as early European sailing ships and Maori waka.

Experience the untouched, timeless beauty on our Abel Tasman kayak tours:

• Beautiful golden sandy beaches
• Bush-clad islands suspended in clear blue waters, warmed by endless hours of Nelson sunshine
• Lush green coastal forests
• Amazingly bright star-systems sparkling through the purest, cleanest air

The staff members of our Abel Tasman kayak tours love to share the beauty and wonders of the park with visitors from around New Zealand and the world.

Abel Tasman Sea Kayaking Options

You can choose from our guided-trip options, which offers you the choice of a leisurely evening tour or from one to five days with our knowledgeable and friendly staff to show you the way and point out local secrets.

Guided day tours are fully catered, or you can select our independent kayaking options where you pay by the day.

Don’t forget you can also choose our popular kayak and hiking option. You just paddle to a pre-arranged pick-up point where a water taxi will uplift your kayak, leaving you free to continue your journey on foot. Or if you prefer, you and your kayak can return to Marahau by water taxi.

Guided Abel Tasman Sea Kayaking Trips

Twilight Tour – A three-hour trip along the very sheltered and picturesque coastline between Marahau and Stephens Bay. Visit the famous Split Apple Rock, Ngaio Island, Breakers Bay and famous Kaiteriteri Beach, one of New Zealand’s most popular holiday destinations. There is plenty of time for swimming, exploring beaches or just relaxing with a coffee. A beautiful time in a magical place!

One Day, Discovery Tour – Explore tidal estuaries, paddle into sea caves and visit Adele and Fisherman Island. Enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch on one of the many superb beaches of the scenic Astrolabe Roadstead—one of the Park’s most sheltered stretches of water. After lunch, take a short walk with your guide or simply sunbathe and swim. In the afternoon you’ll set sail for your return journey to Marahau.

Big Day Out Tour – A great tour for anyone wishing to see as much of the park as possible by kayak in a single day. Following the scenic cruise via water taxi into the middle of the park, and a brief kayak familiarisation, we depart Bark Bay paddling southwards. Along the way the beautiful beaches, tranquil lagoons, Islands, reefs and rocky outcrops where cormorants rest are just some of the highlights. This is the parks longest day trip, but there is still ample time for swimming, snorkelling, sun bathing and relaxing.

Two Day, More Than Beaches Tour – Departing from the southern boundary of the national park we island-hop northwards through the Astrolabe Roadstead around the more exposed section of the coast aptly named “The Mad Mile” to a beachfront campsite. For the end of day one, kayaks are unpacked, tents pitched and evening reveals the essence of this magical place.

Day two sees us exploring The Tonga Island Marine Reserve, where wildlife is most abundant. Seals, bird life and stingrays basking in the clear waters beneath the kayaks are common encounters here. At Onetahuti Beach we pull the kayaks out of the water in preparation to meet our courtesy transport, on a scenic trip southwards via water taxi.

Three Day, Pure Abel Tasman – Camp on beautiful beaches under the brilliant stars of the Milky Way, swim in warm, clear waters and sunbathe on secluded golden beaches! Visit places such as picture-perfect Te Pukatea Bay, Anchorage Beach, Falls River Lagoon, Tonga Arches, Tonga Island Marine Reserve and many, many more.

We supply everything—from your kayaking, camping and cooking equipment to your DOC camp passes! Your guide will take care of trip preparation, safety management and weather assessments, leaving you free to unwind in one of nature’s very special places.

Five Day, Explorers’ Journey – Similar itinerary to the three day “Pure Abel Tasman” but the two extra days and nights in paradise allow you time to venture further northwards to Awaroa where we paddle into the awesome Awaroa Estuary. If conditions are favourable, we paddle from Awaroa to Totaranui and beyond to Separation Point, an area that very few kayakers experience.

On the “Explorer’s Journey” you combine kayaking in some of the most remote areas of the Park with relaxing on secluded beaches and roaming through sub-tropical rainforests—the very essence of Abel Tasman National Park!

Independent Abel Tasman Sea Kayaking

You’ll appreciate our safe and modern, single and double rental kayaks!

Top-grade accessories include:

• Life jackets
• Spray decks
• Paddles, pumps
• Waterproof maps
• Dry bag for cameras
• Spare paddle
• Sponge
• Emergency flares and rope
• The latest marine weather forecasts and tide tables

Prior to departure you will attend a comprehensive safety briefing covering all aspects of kayaking from correct use of equipment through to emergency management and weather assessment. On the first stage of your trip, a guide will provide on-the-water paddling instruction.

Packing, safety briefing and practical instructions can take between two to three hours. Please allow for this when planning your trip. Then you’ll be ready to enjoy your independent excursion into the beautiful Abel Tasman.

For further information about our Abel Tasman kayak tours please contact us or visit our Abel Tasman sea kayaking Web site.

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