Our expertise exploring some of the stunning coastal locations on the planet was phenomenal. That is what it’s wish to spend 3 days kayaking in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park.
New Zealand is thought for being some of the stunning nations on the planet, residence to dramatic mountain peaks, hanging glaciers, sprawling thermal scorching springs and luxurious rainforests.
Travellers come from far and huge to hike the Nice Walks, ski down loopy slopes, soar off of bridges and climb steep cliff faces.
A lot to our shock it additionally occurs to have among the greatest postcard-perfect seashores of wherever we’ve ever seen.
After touching again down in Australia for just a few months we had been eager for some journey, and being this near New Zealand obtained us determined to cross the ocean once more and test it out.
Try our Journey to New Zealand information.
Throughout our analysis of epic locations to go to we got here throughout the well-known Abel Tasman Nationwide Park, the most well-liked park within the nation, and immediately needed to see it for ourselves.
Reasonably than being lined in jagged peaks and rugged valleys, Abel Tasman Nationwide Park seemed like a tropical paradise, with pristine islands lined in dense rainforest and a turquoise sea lapping gently in opposition to white sand seashores fringed with palms.
After all this being New Zealand, the beautiful seashores weren’t locations to laze in a hammock with a cocktail in hand – this was a spot to have an journey.
Two of the primary methods to discover Abel Tasman are by land, with the well-known 60km Abel Tasman Coastal Monitor taking as much as 5 days to finish, or by sea kayaking.
Having performed a number of multi-day hikes in our lives we thought it’d be enjoyable to combine it up and do one thing completely different. We had sea kayaked earlier than, though by no means for greater than a day at a time, so thought with our lack of expertise it’d be greatest to affix an expert tour operator in Abel Tasman.
Try our video from our time kayaking in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park in New Zealand!
By far the perfect tour firm within the Abel Tasman area is Abel Tasman Kayaks, so we reached out to them and requested what the perfect choices could be for us.
They provide every part from single-day ‘freedom kayak’ choices, proper as much as mammoth 5-day guided kayaking journeys. We had the time, however because it was getting late within the season they weren’t operating the 5-day one once we could be there.
On their recommendation, we determined to spend two days mountaineering on the Abel Tasman Coast Monitor and tenting independently within the nationwide park, then becoming a member of them for his or her basic 3-day kayaking tour.
They advised us they might organise one among their personal water taxis from their workplace at Marahau (which can also be the launching level for many adventures in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park) to take us to Totaranui, the campground on the finish of the highway.
We’d be left to our personal units for 2 days, then would meet our kayaking staff again at Totaranui to begin the paddling journey.
Primarily based on native suggestions we jumped on the Division of Conservation web site and booked one night time at Mutton Cove (a spot the blokes on the kayaking centre claimed was some of the stunning spots in all the park), and Anapai, a quieter beachside campsite near Totaranui.
The Abel Tasman Coast Monitor covers 60km of beautiful shoreline within the park, so we simply tackled a small part of it.
With the logistics taken care of, now all we needed to do was get to Abel Tasman Nationwide Park!
Earlier than The Paddle – Mountaineering In Abel Tasman
After just a few nice days in Christchurch hanging with pals we jumped on a bus and headed as much as the funky city of Nelson within the north of the South Island for the night time.
The staff at Abel Tasman Kayaks (ATK) had organised for us to get a switch from our hostel proper to their workplace, the launching level for adventures in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park, at Marahau.
Once we obtained there the place was a hive of exercise, with dozens of excited travellers getting kitted up for the assorted guided mountaineering and kayaking journeys that ATK organises.
We checked in on the entrance desk and dropped off the gear we didn’t want for the following 5 days of their safe locker room, similar to our laptops and non-hiking garments.
With our backpacks loaded with tenting and digital camera gear we jumped in a bus and drove out to fulfill the water taxi.
The 90-minute experience to Totaranui was completely sensational, with the boat driver ‘Cuzzy’ (a hilarious native) dropping off passengers in spectacular coves, and following the shoreline in the hunt for penguins and seals, whereas cracking jokes the entire manner.
We couldn’t imagine the shades of blue that had been glimmering within the mid-morning solar as we cruised alongside in the direction of Totaranui. Once we lastly arrived we disembarked, mentioned bye to Cuzzy, and obtained prepared for our Abel Tasman hike.
We took the lengthy approach to Mutton Cove through Gibbs Hill, a 13km observe that climbs by means of stunning forest and affords splendid views over the coast.
It was about 4pm once we wandered into Mutton Cove, and our jaws immediately dropped. So far as campsites go, this one is fairly outstanding.
On both facet of the seashore magnificent rocky headlands stand up, and the forest reaches proper to the sting of the sand. We pitched our tent, went for a swim to scrub off the day’s sweat, and obtained chatting with the 5 different campers that had been additionally making this residence for the night time.
After we cooked dinner one of many {couples} lit a hearth within the pit and we sat round roasting marshmallows and sipping on wine earlier than calling it an evening beneath the unimaginable glow of the Milky Approach.
The following morning we solely had a brief stroll to Anapai, so took our time packing the tent and loved a cup of espresso on the seashore with nobody else round.
Round 10 we began strolling the coast and arrived at Anapai a lot faster than we anticipated, in lower than an hour. Our unique plan was to have a leisurely day earlier than the kayaking mission, however we had no thought we’d have hours to kill.
Not ones to complain about being in paradise with time up our sleeves, we pitched the tent once more and went exploring within the rock swimming pools to the south of the seashore. When the solar was getting too scorching we relaxed beneath the timber and listened to music.
We cooked an early dinner and headed off to mattress, with the sound of waves lapping on the shore being our lullaby.
The next day we made our approach to Totaranui by 9am and waited for the kayaking journey to start.
Kayaking In Abel Tasman Nationwide Park
Day 1 – The Journey Begins
Usually the 3-day kayaking tour with Abel Tasman Kayaks begins proper at Totaranui, however the wind and seas had picked up, so the corporate determined to begin additional down at Onetahuti, which was additionally going to be our campsite for the night time.
The water taxi collected us and took us all the way down to the following seashore. The solar was shining, however as quickly as we left the safety of Totaranui’s cove the waves began throwing our boat round. We immediately knew that kayaking across the headlands wouldn’t have been a good suggestion.
As soon as we obtained to Onetahuti we met our superior information Jezza (Jeremy) and the 5 different visitors; two {couples} and a single man Jay, who had come from Nelson that morning.
The 2 {couples} had been doing an in a single day journey, whereas Jay was doing the 3-day kayaking with us. All of us began chatting and instantly obtained alongside.
Jezza gave us an in depth security briefing on greatest kayaking methods, tips on how to get out and in of them correctly, tips on how to use the skirts, what to do within the unlikely state of affairs of a capsize, and so on.
He then handed out life vests, dry baggage and rain jackets, and advised us the altered plans for the day.
As we weren’t paddling from Totaranui, we might use Onetahuti as our base, and kayak from there to a few of Jezza’s favorite highlights, which truly labored in our favour.
Excitedly we packed our cameras into the drybags, loaded into the double kayaks and headed off.
It solely took a couple of minutes for everybody to get into the swing of issues. Earlier than too lengthy we had been all in unison, making our manner north surrounded by a sea of impossibly blue water and overgrown timber making the background.
There actually is nothing fairly like being out on the water on an ideal day in Abel Tasman!
Cautious to not get into tough seas, Jezza stored us near the rising cliffs, not solely providing us safety from the wind but additionally giving us an opportunity to look out for fur seals.
We had been making our approach to Shag Harbour, a spot that Jezza claimed was one of many favourites in all the nationwide park, and that’s solely accessible by kayak at excessive tide. Our timing couldn’t have been any higher, and if we had began our journey from Totaranui we might have missed our window.
Two massive rocks gave us a slim entrance into the harbour, which bent round to the appropriate blocking any views from outdoors of what could be in there.
As we made our manner into Shag Harbour we had been nicely and really blown away! It was like we had stumbled throughout a misplaced Amazonian world, with the clearest water we had ever seen giving the phantasm of our kayaks floating on air.
Throughout us was the twisted great thing about untouched rainforest, with timber clinging to the facet of boulders, and chicken calls echoing off the cliffs.
We spent round 20 minutes paddling so far as we may go earlier than shallow water halted our progress, then we merely sat in silence and admired the serene splendour.
All we needed to do was soar out and go for a swim, however sadly the tide was dropping quick and none of us appreciated the concept of being stranded with the kayaks for just a few hours, so we rapidly headed again to the open sea.
Heading again south in the direction of Onetahuti, Jezza led us to a secluded seashore for lunch. We pulled up on the sand, jumped out and all had an excellent stretch.
Jezza laid out an enormous picnic blanket and instantly started working making ready our meal. Contemporary sandwich rolls had been on the menu, with salads, meats and sauces to throw in them. Apples and chocolate cake had been for dessert, in addition to tea and occasional.
Chilling out on our personal personal seashore, we shared tales with our new pals and relaxed. After an hour we packed the entire gear again into the storage of the kayaks and began off for the following vacation spot.
Out from Onetahuti seashore was a big island, and we made a beeline to the bottom of it to paddle round.
The towering island was uninhabited by people, however residence to a big colony of New Zealand fur seals. Ensuring we stored our distance, we noticed the lovable creatures swim across the shore and laze on the rocks.
As we paddled we additionally noticed among the superb birdlife that stay round Abel Tasman Nationwide Park. Cormorants, oystercatchers and naturally gulls flew across the island, sometimes coming over to test us out.
The afternoon was getting on at this level so it was time to make our manner again to the campsite.
As we obtained again we dragged the kayaks up nicely above the excessive tide line, obtained modified and went for a stroll round Onetahuti whereas Jezza ready some snacks for us.
Once we obtained again we obtained caught into some cheese, crackers and fruit, when Jezza advised us a few hidden little freshwater swimming gap to the again of the campsite. As had been lined in salt, we needed to go test it out and wash ourselves off within the freezing water.
Clear and feeling contemporary we obtained again simply in time for Jezza to begin dishing up our scrumptious dinner – a vegetarian Mediterranean pasta. Not solely was it tasty, however Jezza had additionally introduced alongside some bottles of wine and beer for us to benefit from the meal with! What a legend!
As night time fell we went for a stroll to a close-by cave that was stuffed with glow worms. Whereas not as spectacular as those you get in different components of New Zealand, it was nonetheless cool to see them.
Drained from the meals and adventures, we retired to our tents round 9:30pm.
Day 2 – Plans Change: Strolling To Bark Bay
We woke as much as one other stunning day in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park, with the solar shining and minimal cloud cowl round. But one thing was positively completely different.
The wind had been smashing our tents all night time, and as we popped our heads out of our tents we noticed a considerable swell hitting the seashore, and so far as the attention may see had been white caps on the ocean.
We began to pack up our tents then joined the remainder of the group for espresso and breakfast, which Jezza had already prepped.
Whereas we snacked on toast and cereal, Jezza was continually on the radio, and he finally advised us that the seas had been extraordinarily tough and never protected for us to kayak to our subsequent vacation spot.
A plan was made for a water taxi to select us and our kayaks up, and switch us to Anchorage, the campsite for the night time.
No person complained, as we knew our security was an important factor, and to be trustworthy as a lot as paddling by means of the chop seemed like a number of enjoyable, we may see that we’d tire very, in a short time in it.
Just a few different campers and kayakers who had made it to Onetahuti independently had been wanting involved concerning the seas, so Jezza organised the general public water taxi to come back and acquire them as nicely.
Because the water taxi got here in an enormous wave slammed it into the seashore, bogging it on the sand. All of us ran out and helped get the taxi again into the water, but it surely was clear that the seas had been simply getting stronger and stronger.
Jezza referred to as a staff assembly and mentioned that as Onetahuti was absolutely uncovered to the climate it could be a while earlier than the following water taxi felt protected sufficient to come back in, so with everybody agreeing, we determined to hike the 5km to Bark Bay, which was rather more secluded.
We left our gear with the kayaks, packed up the cameras, and began strolling.
At first we had been a bit bit bummed to be lacking out on the morning kayak, however as quickly as we obtained within the forest and to Bark Bay all people was amazed.
The unhealthy climate meant we obtained the distinctive alternative to combine up our actions, with an excellent outdated style ‘Abel Tasman kayak and stroll’. And once you’re someplace as stunning as right here, any alternative to be in nature is welcomed.
The path was simple, slicing by means of the forest away from the shoreline, and we stored up the pleasant chatter with our new pals
As soon as we made it down in the direction of Bark Bay we stumbled throughout the well-known suspension bridge that has been featured in so many pictures of Abel Tasman Nationwide Park. If we had caught to the ocean we might have missed the beautiful Bark Bay.
Bark Bay was after all completely beautiful, with a big lagoon on one facet and the ocean on the opposite. Jezza made us lunch and we sat within the shade listening to the waves and sipping on espresso.
Not lengthy after Cuzzy and the water taxi arrived loaded with our kayaks and equipment from Onetahuti. We jumped onboard and made our manner in the direction of Anchorage, our campground for the night time, laughing away at Cuzzy’s fixed banter.
As soon as once more as quickly as we left the protection of the Bark Bay harbour the waves picked proper up and even the boat was bouncing fairly exhausting. All of us knew that strolling reasonably than kayaking in Abel Tasman was the best choice for the day.
Anchorage was one other a kind of ‘pinch me, is that this actual?’ sort of places. A sprawling pure cove protected by rocky outcrops and fringing palms, with clear blue water shining brightly.
It was right here that the 2 different {couples} would head again to Marahau, with their 2-day Abel Tasman kayaking journey coming to an finish.
Despite the fact that they didn’t get an opportunity to paddle right this moment, they had been grateful they obtained to see one other a part of the park they might have in any other case missed. We mentioned our goodbyes, exchanged particulars, and off they went.
As soon as they left our remaining 4 went and arrange camp. Anchorage is far busier than Onetahuti, with a kitchen shelter, bathroom block and DOC hut all current. This meant there have been dozens of different campers, but it surely was nonetheless simple to discover a quiet spot close to the seashore.
Jezza began cooking dinner, and advised that all of us go for a stroll to Te Pukatea Bay, which was solely 20 minutes away.
As we climbed as much as the closest headland we had been rewarded with majestic views over Anchorage and among the islands of Abel Tasman Nationwide Park.
With vistas like this, it’s simple to see why this place is the most well-liked nationwide park in New Zealand!
Te Pukatea Bay is a wineglass-shaped cove, and is the stuff postcards are fabricated from. We dropped all the way down to go for a swim, however sadly it was being battered by heavy winds, so we opted to skip it this time and head again to the shelter of Anchorage.
Jezza had nearly completed dinner once we obtained there, a hearty chickpea curry, and he stunned us all once more by producing just a few extra bottles of wine and beer than he had requested for the night time.
Our small group ate, drank and had been merry till the solar died down. We tried to make it to a different glow worm cave, however the tide had risen and we sadly couldn’t get in with out swimming.
The temperature dropped and shortly we had been all asleep in our tents.
Day 3 – Anchorage To Marahau
We had been stoked to see once we awakened that the climate had settled in a single day, and we’d don’t have any points kayaking the ultimate leg all the best way to Marahau.
With simply the 4 of us now it didn’t take lengthy to pack up the tents, load up the kayaks and get onto the water.
Paddling out of Anchorage was stunning, and as we had all settled into a good rhythm Jezza determined to take us across the again of Anchorage and to a shocking little swimming gap that’s a part of the Abel Tasman Coastal Stroll.
He led us right into a tiny cove and we parked the kayaks up on a seashore. Strolling barefoot, we made our approach to a sequence of small waterfalls dropping into a transparent pure pool.
After all we needed to go for a swim, and regardless of the freezing temperatures, it was a number of enjoyable sliding down the cascades and falling increasingly more in love with Abel Tasman Nationwide Park.
As soon as we’d collected our kayaks once more we adopted the coast to the south, with the ultimate vacation spot going to be the house base at Marahau.
Birds flew overhead, and we stored an eye fixed out for any potential marine life that will make an look. It’s not remarkable for orcas to be within the channel round Abel Tasman Nationwide Park, however we weren’t so fortunate on today.
At present was going to be a brief day, and with the tempo we had been making Jezza determined we had sufficient time to kayak round Fisherman Island, one other one among his favorite spots.
Fisherman Island can also be uninhabited, with dozens of fur seals chilling on the bottom of it. We obtained as shut as allowed to them and watched them go about their day by day enterprise.
There have been just a few picturesque inlets to discover, and shortly we landed on a pleasant little seashore for lunch.
As we had made good time, that gave us simply over an hour to benefit from our location earlier than returning to Marahau and heading again to Nelson.
The tide dropped, that means we may stroll out to a bit islet subsequent to the seashore, which had some enjoyable little climbing choices.
When it got here to make our manner again to Marahau none of us needed to go away. We may have spent all day simply laying on the seashore and exploring Fisherman Island, however all good issues should come to an finish.
We made a beeline straight throughout the open water in the direction of the port, charging by means of the sunshine swell and wind.
As we got here into Marahau the tide was proper down, and never wanting to tug the kayaks any additional than is required, Jezza expertly led us by means of the slim channels so far as attainable.
Quickly one of many employees members confirmed up in a tractor to gather us and our kayaks, and we made our manner again to the headquarters.
After 3 days out with the professionals, and a pair of days on our personal, it was unhappy to be ending up our adventures in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park.
At HQ, Jezza gave us a debrief about the place we had been over the previous couple of days in Abel Tasman, and we cleaned out all of our kayaking gear and repacked our backpacks.
Having that type of superb expertise collectively meant we’d turn out to be pals with Jay and our information by the tip of it, and though Jezza does today in day trip all summer time with lots of of individuals, he was as excited as ever to share this journey along with his visitors.
We swapped particulars and promised to communicate. Once we returned there have been talks of secret coves and different hidden treasures that we may get out to, however we’ll have to avoid wasting that for one more day. For now it was time to leap on the bus and head again to Nelson.
Exploring the park with Abel Tasman Kayaks was some of the fascinating adventures we had performed in a very long time, and caught with us as an actual spotlight in New Zealand.
If you happen to’re seeking to do one thing completely different in your subsequent journey to the South Island, don’t miss mountaineering and kayaking in Abel Tasman Nationwide Park!
Suggestions For Kayaking In Abel Tasman Nationwide Park With ATK
Until you’re very skilled with sea kayaking, you’re on the lookout for some recommendations on what it’s wish to paddle round Abel Tasman Nationwide Park.
Listed here are a few of our ideas and ideas from our Abel Tasman kayak tour expertise.
You Don’t Want To Be A Professional
Whilst you do have to have a good stage of bodily health to kayak Abel Tasman, you certainly not must be an expert sea kayaker to do it.
The ocean round Abel Tasman Nationwide Park is normally fairly protected, and as you may see in our article if it does get too tough there are all the time different alternate options to discover that aren’t on the water.
Until you’ve sea kayaked rather a lot although we extremely suggest becoming a member of an expert tour operator similar to Abel Tasman Kayaks.
They use fine quality double sea kayaks with rudders, and it doesn’t take very lengthy to get the cling of them.
Even if you happen to’re travelling by yourself you may nonetheless be a part of one among their guided kayak excursions. They’ll companion you up with any individual, or you may soar in with one of many guides, so that you’ll all the time have somebody with you in your kayak journey.
Convey Applicable Clothes
Similar to with any outside exercise, it’s necessary to have the appropriate clothes with you. Even in the course of summer time the climate can change rapidly, and it’s worthwhile to make sure you gained’t be caught out.
For a kayak journey in Abel Tasman we personally suggest having one quick-dry shirt to put on in the course of the day, swimwear to put on beneath (clearly), a fleece in case the climate turns and dry garments to vary into at camp.
The corporate provides good high quality rain/wind jackets, so if you happen to don’t have one it’s not an issue. Additionally they offer you a kayaking skirt (to maintain splashes out whilst you’re paddling), life jackets, a dry bag on your clothes and a pelican case on your electronics.
Positively deliver a GoPro!
They provide all of the tenting and cooking gear apart from a sleeping bag, however sleeping baggage will be rented if obligatory.
We introduced our personal mountaineering tent, however if you happen to don’t have one the gear they use is top of the range.
You Don’t Want To Convey Any Meals
Whenever you join one of many Abel Tasman guided kayaking excursions with ATK, you can be given all of the meals, water and tea/espresso you’ll want.
On the multi-day journeys the information even cooks up a correct feast for you, which we had been amazed by. The meals are hearty, scrumptious, and vegetarian, and in our case Jezza did an superior job at taking care of all the group.
If you happen to’re the type of person who will get hungry rapidly although, or likes to snack on one thing in the course of the day, deliver some muesli bars, path combine or nuts to get you by in your kayak excursions.
Keep in mind You Can’t Management Nature
After all that is meant to be a enjoyable journey out in nature, and as such issues can change on the drop of a hat.
You won’t get stunning blue skies day by day, you won’t get to see any wildlife, and typically the climate can get so unhealthy you may’t truly go on kayak excursions.
Simply keep in mind that that is all a part of spending time open air, so hold an open thoughts in your kayak journey and be keen to go together with the information’s selections in case they alter plans.
Our 3-day journey was performed in partnership with Abel Tasman Kayaks. All ideas, opinions and hours spent paddling round in absolute paradise are, as all the time, our personal.