Overview

Two days sea kayaking the protected southern coastline and one day walking the lush northern Abel Tasman National Park part of the Great Walks of New Zealand. Includes a scenic cruise along the length of the Abel Tasman coast.

Tour Grading: B

Walking and kayaking are physical activities, but paddling requires very little skill or strength (see next question) and the Abel Tasman Coast track is very well formed with long flat sections and a few easy grade uphill and downhill sections (the highest point of the track is under 200 metres).
You are welcome to travel on one of our boats to shorten your day's paddling or walking.

Details

Difficulty: 2

Departure Dates

We operate this trip year round.

Departing:

Southbound

Monday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday

Northbound

Wednesday

Trip departures May to October require a minimum of 4 people. If you wish to book with less than 4 people during these months, contact us for a confirmed departure date.

Customised 2, 4 & 5 Day departures on request

Start: Nelson accommodation 10:15 / Wednesday departures 7:15am

Finish: Nelson (5:30pm)

Includes:

Skilled, friendly guides, chefs and boat crew
All bedding
Lodge luggage bag, transfer and storage of luggage
Use of day pack
Launch Cruise and any extra Launch / Water Taxi transport on scheduled services
Track notes and maps
Scheduled bus transfers from & to Motueka or Nelson
All technical and safety equipment for kayak trips

Meals Included

Fine food at our lodges and picnic lunches during the day
Fresh fruit, snacks and hot drinks available throughout the day
Daily Meals include: Breakfast, Morning and Afternoon Tea, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation Included

Share twin/double with ensuite accommodation

Pricing:

Price per person

Sep - Oct 2024

Adult: NZ$1,800
Child: NZ$1,320
Single: NZ$2,340

Nov 2024 - Mar 2025

Adult: NZ$1,900
Child: NZ$1,420
Single: NZ$2,850

Apr 2025

Adult: NZ$1,800
Child: NZ$1,320
Single: NZ$2,340

Child: 12-14 years

Minimum age 12 years

Children under 12 years: If an exclusive Kayak guide is hired for your child/family we can relax the age limit down to 10 years and the trip can then be modified to suit your abilities and interests. Please contact us to arrange this.

- Prices are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change without prior notice.

Payment

Deposit of NZ$300 per person on booking, with the balance due 90 days before departure

Cancellation Fees

90+ days prior to departure - refund less $300 deposit per person, or change travel date for no additional cost but seasonal rate increases will apply.
89-60 days prior to departure - 50% refund
59-0 days prior to departure - no refund.
After tour commencement - no refund available.

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Overview

Tour Grading: B

Walking and kayaking are physical activities, but paddling requires very little skill or strength (see next question) and the Abel Tasman Coast track is very well formed with long flat sections and a few easy grade uphill and downhill sections (the highest point of the track is under 200 metres).
You are welcome to travel on one of our boats to shorten your day's paddling or walking.

Vista in Abel Tasman National Park with Kayaks

Hikers admire the view in Abel Tasman National Park

Awaroa Bay at sunset in Abel Tasman National Park

Awaroa Inlet in Abel Tasman National Park

Meadowbank Lodge in Abel Tasman National Park

Single Room at Meadowbank Lodge in Abel Tasman National Park

Breakfast in Abel Tasman National Park

Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park

Kayakers at Tonga Islands in Abel Tasman National Park

View from Frenchmans Bay to Anchorage in Abel Tasman National Park

Kayakers in Bark Bay Inlet in Abel Tasman National Park

Kayakers having a Beach picnic in Abel Tasman National Park

Picnic Lunch in Abel Tasman National Park

Dolphins swimming in Abel Tasman National Park

Torrent Bay Lodge in Abel Tasman National Park

Double Room in Torrent Bay Lodge in Abel Tasman National Park

Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park

Itinerary

Open All

Day 1Nelson / Motueka to Awaroa via Totaranui

Board our comfortable Vista Cruise to travel the length of the golden Abel Tasman coast from Kaiteriteri north to Totaranui, relaxing on the viewing decks and enjoying refreshments from the cafe.

From Totaranui, walk through mature native forest and along secluded beaches to the breathtaking expanse of Awaroa Inlet where you’ll reach Meadowbank Homestead – a faithful recreation of the Wilson family's original home on the ‘finest site in the bay’.

Approximate times

Scenic drive to Kaiteriteri – 1 hour from Nelson, or 20 mins from Motueka
Cruise Kaiteriteri to Totaranui – 1 hour 40 mins
Walk Totaranui to Awaroa – approx. 2.5 hours (7km/4.5 miles) including tidal crossing; maximum elevation 100m/340ft

Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa

Meals included: lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

Trip details

Pick up in Nelson (10.15–10.45am) or Motueka (11.30am).
If you are self-driving please meet at our office by 11.30am.
Please note that Wednesday departures and some low season departures have an earlier start. See Start/Finish Times (below) for more details.

11.30am: Meet your guide at our Motueka office for a welcome briefing with time for last-minute luggage organisation, before departing to Kaiteriteri by coach.

1pm: Vista Cruise departs Kaiteriteri.

2.40pm: Arrive Totaranui to walk to Awaroa Inlet. Either walk, if the tide is out, or take a boat ride across the stunning expanse of the largest inlet on the coast.

5pm (approx.): Enjoy a warm welcome at Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa, right on the edge of the inlet. Freshen up with a hot shower in your ensuite room while your hosts prepare a delicious evening meal. Local beer and wine is available for purchase at our in-house bar.

Day 2Awaroa to Torrent Bay

Wake to breakfast overlooking Meadowbank’s gardens and the waters of Abel Tasman’s largest tidal estuary. Walk over a forested saddle to Onetahuti where your guide will settle you into your stable, double kayak with full instructions and safety briefing. You’ll then kayak through Tonga Island Marine Reserve and explore hidden inlets on the way to Torrent Bay.

Approximate times

Walk from Awaroa to Onetahuti – 1.5 hours (5km/3 miles); max. elevation 85m/280ft
Sea kayak from Onetahuti to Torrent Bay – 4 hours (10km/6 miles)

Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge

Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner

Trip details

9.30am: Depart Awaroa for the scenic walk to Onetahuti, which features a beautiful boardwalk and bridge designed by local iwi (Maori tribe). Stroll along the golden sands and enjoy refreshments supplied by your guide.

11am: After instructions and safety brief, your guide will lead the way to Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Weather permitting, kayak to the seal colony where New Zealand fur seals breed. Floating on clear, turquoise waters paddle past Tonga Quarry and the Tonga Arches, where your guide will share stories about the unusual granite features and relics from the historic quarry.

12 noon: Stop for lunch at sheltered Bark Bay, where you can take time out to explore, swim or relax on the golden sand. After lunch, continue beach hopping along the coast with picture-postcard views, including the Falls River and Frenchman’s Bay.

4.30pm (approx.): Paddle into beautiful Torrent Bay with its village of beachfront holiday houses including our Torrent Bay Lodge where your ensuite room and evening meal awaits.

Day 3Torrent Bay to Nelson / Motueka via Kaiteriteri

Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay and a hearty breakfast to set you up for paddling to Te Pukatea Bay and past the islands of the Astrolabe Roadstead to Kaiteriteri.

Approximate times

Sea kayak from Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri – approx. 4.5 hours (12km)
Scenic drive from Kaiteriteri – 20 mins to Motueka or 1 hour to Nelson

Meals included: breakfast, morning tea, lunch

Trip details

9.30am: Launch your kayak from Torrent Bay and paddle southwards along the coast while your guide shares stories of early explorers, shows you bays and beaches, and introduces you to the predator-free wildlife sanctuary of Adele Island. If the wind is with you, you may get to hoist a specially designed sail to ride the sea breeze.

12 noon: Stop for lunch and a rest at a sheltered beach, then continue your journey through azure waters to the famous Kaiteriteri beach.

3.30pm: Arrive at Kaiteriteri where our driver will meet you for the return journey to Kaiteriteri.

4pm: Arrive Motueka.

5.30–6pm: Arrive Nelson.

Price per person

Sep - Oct 2024

Adult: NZ$1,800
Child: NZ$1,320
Single: NZ$2,340

Nov 2024 - Mar 2025

Adult: NZ$1,900
Child: NZ$1,420
Single: NZ$2,850

Apr 2025

Adult: NZ$1,800
Child: NZ$1,320
Single: NZ$2,340

Child: 12-14 years

Minimum age 12 years

- Prices are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change without prior notice.

Payment

Deposit of NZ$300 per person on booking, with the balance due 90 days before departure

Cancellation Fees

90+ days prior to departure - refund less $300 deposit per person, or change travel date for no additional cost but seasonal rate increases will apply.
89-60 days prior to departure - 50% refund
59-0 days prior to departure - no refund.
After tour commencement - no refund available.

Enquire Now!

Itinerary

Open All

Day 1Nelson / Motueka to Awaroa via Totaranui

Board our comfortable Vista Cruise to travel the length of the golden Abel Tasman coast from Kaiteriteri north to Totaranui, relaxing on the viewing decks and enjoying refreshments from the cafe.

Approximate times

Scenic drive to Kaiteriteri – 1 hour from Nelson, or 20 mins from Motueka
Cruise Kaiteriteri to Totaranui – 1 hour 40 mins
Walk Totaranui to Awaroa – approx. 2.5 hours (7km/4.5 miles) including tidal crossing; maximum elevation 100m/340ft

Accommodation: Meadowbank Homestead at Awaroa

Meals included: lunch, afternoon tea, dinner

Trip details

11.30am: Meet your guide at our Motueka office for a welcome briefing with time for last-minute luggage organisation, before departing to Kaiteriteri by coach.

1pm: Vista Cruise departs Kaiteriteri.

2.40pm: Arrive Totaranui to walk to Awaroa Inlet. Either walk, if the tide is out, or take a boat ride across the stunning expanse of the largest inlet on the coast.

Day 2Awaroa to Torrent Bay

Approximate times

Walk from Awaroa to Onetahuti – 1.5 hours (5km/3 miles); max. elevation 85m/280ft
Sea kayak from Onetahuti to Torrent Bay – 4 hours (10km/6 miles)

Accommodation: Torrent Bay Lodge

Meals included: breakfast, morning & afternoon tea, lunch, dinner

Trip details

4.30pm (approx.): Paddle into beautiful Torrent Bay with its village of beachfront holiday houses including our Torrent Bay Lodge where your ensuite room and evening meal awaits.

Day 3Torrent Bay to Nelson / Motueka via Kaiteriteri

Wake up to morning light on the golden sands of Torrent Bay and a hearty breakfast to set you up for paddling to Te Pukatea Bay and past the islands of the Astrolabe Roadstead to Kaiteriteri.