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Abel Tasman Sea Kayaking, Nelson, New Zealand

The Sea Kayak Company Introduction

Come with The Sea Kayak 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 of the Abel Tasman National Park on our kayak adventures:

• 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

Kayaking the Abel Tasman is a 'must do' whether you are a visitor to our shores, or a Kiwi who just hasn't got around to it yet.

The guides on 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 National Park
Photographer: Ian Trafford
(www.iantraffordphotos.com)

You can choose from our many guided-trip options, which offer you a wide range of tours, from a one trip to a five day guided kayaking adventure with our knowledgeable and friendly staff to show you the way and point out local secrets. No previous paddling experience is necessary on our guided tours.

Don't forget you can also choose our popular independent 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.

Our most popular guided day trip is the Ab Fab Marine Reserve one day paddle and walk. On this trip you get to view the seal colony at Tonga Island plus walk the beautiful section of the Abel Tasman Coast line from Bark Bay to Torrent Bay.

Or choose to kayak for a full day on our Tonga Island Marine Reserve tour. Explore the marine reserve and the seal colony at Tonga Island followed by all the gorgeous spots in the 'heart of the park'.

Another great combination is our Two Day Tonga Island Paddle and Hike.

This is 'Simply the best'. We paddle from Onetahuti out to the seal colony and down the coast, exploring the beautiful estuaries that are in the centre of the park. Stay overnight on the houseboat ( you don't need to even bring a sleeping bag) and then the following day walk the coastal track from Anchorage back to Marahau.

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 camp site. 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 Eco Explorer – 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 On the five day Eco you combine kayaking an walking 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 kayaking is ideal for water confident groups of two or more, who are reasonably fit and familiar with the outdoors and ready to deal with all the moods of mother nature. 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.

The Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's smallest national park, established in 1942. It stretches from Wainui Inlet in Golden Bay (in the north), to Marahau (in the south). The park is renowned for its spectacular scenery and temperate climate.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is one New Zealand's great walks.

The rocky sculptural shapes of the shoreline and the sparkling sands are results of the erosion of structural granite. The distinctive golden colour of most beaches is due to the deposits of polished quartz crystals, more resistant to the process of erosion.

Scenic variation within the park is striking; freshwater rivers and pools, offshore islands, and stretches of golden sand are elements not found in such combination elsewhere in the country.

Forests along the coastline are dominated by both manuka and kanuka. Older patches of native bush are found along the many stream gullies. Further north there are nikau palm.

In the coastal forests, bird life is abundant – tui, bellbird and kereru to name a few. In the estuaries, pukeko, shags, oyster-catchers, tern's stilts and herons are common.

The park also includes the Tata Island group in the north, Tonga Island Marine Reserve, Adele and Fisherman Islands in the south.

For further information about our Abel Tasman kayak tours, please contact us 0508 25 29 25 or visit our website www.seakayaknz.co.nz

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