Wilsons Abel Tasman - Walk, Cruise, Kayak, Stay in the Beautiful Abel Tasman National Park

Explore the protected beaches and spectacular granite sculptures of the Southern coast with an easy guided sea kayak, then travel deeper into the Abel Tasman National Park for an enchanting forest walk. View New Zealand fur seals as the Vista Cruise pauses at Tonga Island Marine Reserve with its resident seal colony.

This trip includes two boat transfers aboard our stylish Vista Cruise catamaran, with a total cruising time of two hours. Our skipper will talk you through the fascinating social and natural history of area as our boat plies the crystal-clear shallows of this stunning coastline. 

You will get a great view of our resident seals as you cruise close in to Tonga Island.  Your skipper will explain some of the fascinating natural behaviour exhibited by these curious creatures as you watch them happily sunbathing on granite boulders.

Pricing:
Valid 20 October 2011 to 18 April 2012: Adult $155 Child $105 (10-14 yrs)

Your Kayak Seals & Walk trip includes the latest kayak gear:

• Stable double kayak
• Spray jacket
• Buoyancy aid
• Dry bags for spare clothing and camera gear but please note we cannot guarantee to keep sensitive electronic equipment dry
• Maximum 8 people per Guide
• Return scenic Vista Cruise

Looking for more time on the water?.. try Beaches, Bays & Seals Sea Kayaking Day Trip
Considering exploring more of the park?... try our Kayak & Walking Breaks
Compare All One Day Sea Kayaking Options

If you're still not sure please contact our friendly reservations team who will be happy to talk you through all the options

How to get here

Click here for detailed driving directions and maps (opens in new window)

Other Sea Kayaking Day Trips Options

9.00 am  Check in at our Kaiteriteri ticket booth in the carpark to meet your Guide.

On the golden beach sands of Kaiteriteri Beach, your friendly, expert Guide settles you into a stable double kayak with full instructions and safety brief.  Then, it's onto the water to explore and have fun, confident you can enjoy a safe paddling experience. Your Guide knows all the best, secret spots taking into account the tides, weather and your interests and abilities with paddling time up to 2 hours 30 minutes. Watch out for our resident Blue Penguins and other sea birds along the coast. 

Pause at a sheltered cove for a break before returning to Kaiteriteri around midday where you say farewell to your Guide and swap your kayak gear for walking shoes.

1.00 pm Join our Vista Cruise at Kaiteriteri to cruise into Tonga Island Marine Reserve in the heart of the Park.  Pause at Tonga Island to check out the antics at the resident Fur Seal Colony.

2.00 pm Disembark at the idyllic sheltered cove at Tonga Quarry, where relics of an historic granite quarry remain. Take an unguided walk along the well-marked coastal track shaded by lush native forest to beautiful Bark Bay (7km, 1 hours 30 minutes).  Take the high tide track around the Bark Bay inlet to Medland Beach, past waterfalls and panoramic coastal views.

4.45 pm Rejoin the Vista Cruise at Medlands Beach for a relaxing return cruise, hugging the coastline.

5.45pm Back at Kaiteriteri in time to catch connecting coaches, if required.

Departure Timetable:

We operate this trip on most days during the summer months. For an equivalent low season option try our Tonga Island Seals itinerary.

What To Bring: Day Trip in Abel Tasman National Park, NZ

Lunch

Lunch is included in our Beaches, Bays & Seals Kayak Day Trip. All other trips, please bring your own lunch or order a scrumptious Picinc Lunch from us the day before you travel.Picnic lunches must be ordered by 6pm on the night before your Wilsons day trip, or at the time of booking.

Available year round:
•    A selection of seasonal light meals plus hot and cold drinks are available to buy aboard the Vista Cruise
•    Wilsons can prepare a substantial picnic lunch for you with local, wholesome specialities - $18
•    Or choose a delicious Gourmet Hamper lunch, created with fresh produce and regional - $28

Available low season - 19 April to 19 October:
•    Onboard Barbecue Lunch $25

What to Wear

We enjoy glorious weather, summer and winter. Temperatures can be crisp in the mornings and cool in late afternoon with summer sea breezes. Bring a warm layer of wool or polar fleece and a light rain jacket to ensure your comfort. The Coastal Track is well formed and mostly shaded by native forest. The track comes down onto golden-sand beaches fringed by lush native forest and protected azure waters - ideal for swimming.

* Cotton clothing (especially denim) is not recommended. It is very heavy and cold if it gets wet, and takes a long time to dry. Thermal, quick-dry fabrics are best eg. Polypropylene, polar fleece, wool.

For kayaking, we provide a spray jacket and buoyancy vest that will keep you warm on most days when paddling. Bring a spare set of clothing and warm layer to be stored in the kayak so you can change into dry gear if necessary. Always bring some shoes you can walk in, in case weather causes you to land on a beach where some walking might be nesessary.

Sun Protection

Abel Tasman National Park enjoys the highest number of sunshine hours in the country. Our clear skies, with no pollution result in a very high risk of sunburn, even on a cloudy day. Bring sunglasses, hat and sunscreen.

Footwear

We recommend cool, light, comfortable footwear. Not recommended: any shoes with no heel attachment, eg. jandals, flip flops, scuffs, slides etc. Click here for more information on suitable footwear, particularly for eastuary crossings (Note this is a PDF file).

For walking: Light, comfortable walking shoes are suitable to walk the track. If you have hiking boots, wear them if you prefer but they are not necessary. Depending on tides and conditions, you can usually keep your feet dry. On rare occasions, you might have to remove your shoes and roll up long trousers when you are embarking or disembarking from our boats. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear to allow for this. There will be time to rinse feet and put shoes back on when necessary.

For kayaking: Weather conditions might require pulling into a beach for shelter and some walking may be required. You might like to do some exploring on foot. Therefore, please bring some footwear, suitable for walking. Footwear in the kayak is optional. Many people find it more comfortable to wear some foot cover to prevent their heels rubbing against the kayak. Rubber water socks are ideal.

Light Day Pack

Please use a plastic liner inside the day pack to ensure your day requirements stay dry. (Kayakers only: the day pack will be stored in watertight holds in the kayaks. For important items, such as cameras and spare clothes, we will supply a special watertight "dry-bag".) Please Note: we cannot guarantee to keep camera or electronic equipment dry.

• Light, comfortable walking shoes
• Quick-dry, loose clothing (shorts or trousers that can be rolled up)
• Warm thermal layer
• Waterproof jacket with hood (disposable rain coat available to buy at our office
• Swim wear and towel (optional)
• Sun hat, sunscreen and insect repellent (available to buy at our office)
• Sunglasses
• Drinking water
• Check that lunch has been ordered for you or bring your own lunch
• Camera (CHECK THE BATTERIES) and film (waterproof disposable cameras available to buy at our office)
• Cotton handkerchiefs. Please do not bring tissues or paper towels. They add to litter in the Park.
• Hand steriliser (not wipes)
• Kayakers will need a change of clothing including a warm sweater or polar fleece

Cell Phones

Coverage is intermittent south of Awaroa. There is no coverage north of Awaroa Bay.