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

You can start and finish this trip in Kaiteriteri or, if you are staying overnight in the Park, join the trip at Onetahuti Beach.

We can also transfer your luggage if you are staying overnight in the Park.

From Kaiteriteri, take a scenic cruise into Tonga Island Marine Reserve.  Your Guided introduces you to your kayak on the golden expanse of Onetahuti Beach.  Explore the Marine Reserve, kayaking to the seal colony on Tonga Island, then paddle to Medlands Beach.  During the summer season, there is time for an optional unguided walk after your paddle.  Click the Itinerary Tab above for full details.

All our kayak trips include 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

Pricing:
20 October 2012 to 19 October 2013: Adult $195 Child $155 (12-14 yrs)
Includes all boat transfers and optional High Season Extension
Please note: no kayaking on Christmas Day (December 25)

Looking for more sheltered water kayaking?.. 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

Your Guide introduces you to your kayak with full instructions and safety brief on the long golden sands of Onetahuti.  You can choose to meet your guide at Onetahuti or meet at Kaiteriteri and take the Vista Cruise to Tonga Quarry.

9.00 am Meet your Guide at Kaiteriteri.

9.30 am Vista Cruise departs Kaiteriteri for a scenic cruise along the spectacular golden coast to Tonga Quarry

11.00 am Walk 15 minutes from Tonga Quarry to Onetahuti Beach.  Here, your Guide settles you into your stable double kayak before you set off to explore Tonga Island Marine Reserve, pausing to view the antics at its resident Fur Seal Colony (weather permitting). Watch out for sea birds and you could see a Little Blue Penguin.

Choose an idyllic, golden sand beach for a lunch break, then paddle to picturesque Bark Bay

3.00 pm At Medlands Beach, rejoin the Vista Cruise to return to Kaiteriteri at 3.55 pm. If you wish to stay in the Park, we can arrange to return you to your overnight accommodation in the Park, or transport your luggage to you.

High Season (20 Oct - 18 April) Option:

4.55 pm: rejoin the Vista Cruise at Medlands Beach.  This allows an extra 1 hour 45 mins to relax on the beach or take an unguided walk to Bark Bay Falls (approximately 1 hour, 4 kms return). The track is well marked and easy to follow so you don’t need a Guide to enjoy this walk.

5.50 pm: Return to Kaiteriteri. Please note: this option is available only if you are self-driving, or staying at Kaiteriteri. There are no connecting coaches available at this time.

Departure Timetable:

We operate this trip on most days through the summer months (April to October). During our low season, please contact us to check availability.

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

Lunch

Bring your own lunch or order a scrumptious picnic lunch from us the day before you travel. Please order lunch by 6pm on the night before your Wilsons day trip, or at the time of booking.

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.