New Zealand · KAYAK TOURS IN NELSON & ABEL TASMAN
Good kayak tours in Nelson & Abel Tasman fill up over summer; the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Kayak Abel Tasman to Observation Beach, hike bush trails to the coast, and eat a beach lunch with great views, plus pickup options.
“We did the hike first and it was spectacular. Then we met at the beach and had a snack. The kayak back was also great fun.”
Full-day kayak freedom from Marahau: paddle to Adele and Fisherman Islands, cave drift at high tide, Watering Cove walk, return.
“It was a nice first try of kayaking! So, also good for beginners, not only pros. You have the freedom to go wherever you want to. Also, we accidentally booked the wrong time and they handled it really well and helped us, very flexible. :)”
Guided 8-hour kayak from Marahau through Tonga Island Marine Reserve and Abel Tasman National Park, spotting NZ fur seals and returning by water taxi.
“Fantastic day out on the water exploring the national park. Our guide (Quinn) was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly and made this whole day amazing. A must do whilst up here to explore incredible untouched lagoons and learn heaps about the flora and fauna”
Spend about 7 hours sea kayaking from Mārahau, past Split Apple Rock, to Abel Tasman beaches, with gear included and a flexible pace.
“We had a beautiful day of kayaking in this gorgeous part of the world. We'd recommend this experience to anyone who loves kayaking and discovering beautiful, secluded beaches.”
Kayak Abel Tasman from Mārahau, likely spot fur seals near Adele Island, then hike flat trails to viewpoints in a small group.
“Erst geht es mit dem Kayak an der Küste entlang und zufuss durch den Park zurück. Die Tour war super. Kayak ungefähr 2 Stunden. Die Wanderung 3-4 Stunden auf einem flachen Weg. Sehr nette Guides.”
Kayak Abel Tasman’s Tonga Island Marine Reserve, spot Kekeno fur seals, paddle granite coves, enjoy lunch on sand, with showers and wifi.
“We had a wonderful day on the kayaks. Ed was a fantastic host who provided us with a lot of interesting information about the national park We would definitely recommend this tour”
Guided sea kayaking in Abel Tasman’s Tonga Island Marine Reserve, timed to the tides for fur seals, granite coast stops, and lunch.
“Amazing way to learn about the history, geology, fauna and wildlife of the marine reserve and New Zealand in general.”
Abel Tasman cruise from Kaiteriteri, guided sea kayaking to Adele Island seals, and a coastal hike to Anchorage with lunch included.
“Wir hatten das Glück alleine mit Alan unterwegs zu sein. Mit seiner wundervolle, lockeren, humorvollen und lebensfroher Art hat er uns empfangen und durch den Tag begleitet. Danke auch an Carter für die super geführte Kayaktour mit Kayaksailing. Ein unvergesslicher Tag mit tollen Eindrücken, leckerem Lunch, tollen Menschen und wunderbarer Tiersichtung in der schönen Natur !”
Three days of guided sea kayaking in Abel Tasman, paddle past seals and blue penguins, and camp with beach meals from Marahau.
“What a fantastic family trip! Whitney the super guide looked after us so well! The food was amazing, nothing was rushed and a good amount of paddling each day. My son is also Coeliac and they catered for him extremely well.”
Guided kayaking in Abel Tasman from Marahau, with a water taxi to Tonga Island to spot Kekeno fur seals, blue penguins, plus beach lunch.
“Enjoyed the part of the tour that followed the Abel Tasman shore. It rained very hard during the excursion and though the guides worked hard to cope, it seemed they were not well prepared with shelter for the lunch stop. The sandwiches Read more”
Paddle to Split Apple Rock in Abel Tasman, then pedal the Great Taste Trail to Mapua with great value transport and equipment.
“Loved the kayaking and well signed Taste Trail. Would not let novice riders do the 44km ride in the heat, as it was demanding in places eg a MTB course to start. Not lots of places to stop for food and drink. Beautiful views.”
Guided kayak and a walk in Abel Tasman from Marahau to Anchorage, plus a water taxi ride, small group vibe, and lunch included.
“An excellent way to fit 2 activities into a day and see a fair bit of the Abel Tasman national park! Our guide Brody was full of information and made for a very safe and enjoyable 2/3hr paddle. Lunch provided was delicious. The walking section is beautiful and easy to complete in the time provided. All very well organised and worth the money!”
Self-guided 3-day kayak rental in Abel Tasman, starting in Marahau with a water taxi to Onetahuti Bay and all safety gear included.
“We couldn't fault one bit of our kayak rental with Abel Tasman Kayaks! They were really professional, super friendly, flexible and helpful! The kayaks were in great condition, held way more stuff than we thought and were super easy to use! Thank you Abel Tasman Kayaks!”
Paddle unguided through Abel Tasman, visit Adele Island for fur seals and bird noise, and explore the Astrolabe beaches at your own pace from Mārahau.
“Kayaking in Abel Tasman was an amazing experience! The staff were really friendly, and the equipment was excellent. Ben gave a clear and helpful safety briefing. What a fantastic adventure!”
Two-day kayak rental in Abel Tasman from Mārahau with full gear and a camping pass, plus guidance to get you safely paddling.
“Such an incredible walk and we really enjoyed our two days with the kayaks! Day 1: kayaked from Marahau to Te Pukatea; Day 2: kayaked Te Pukatea to Onetahuiti then walked to Waiharakeke - big day but breaking it up made it a lot more manRead more”
From the fiords to the geothermal belt, sorted by what you want to do with the day.
