Take a morning cruise the Abel Tasman coastline Kaiteriteri to TÅtaranui and return, including all the highlights along the spectacular granite coast.
During our low season (20 May - 30 September) the vessel type might be different from our Vista catamaran. See Vigour Water Taxi cruise for details.
It only takes a morning (3hr 30min) to cruise the length of the coast Kaiteriteri - Totaranui return. Check vessel type during low season.
| 9.00am Check in at Kaiteriteri for 9.20am departure. If you have already exchanged your booking confirmation for a boarding ticket, please check in at the boat. |
| 9.40am Split Apple Rock |
| 10.00â10.10am Anchorage and Torrent Bay |
| 10.20am Medlands Beach and Bark Bay |
| 10.45am View Tonga Island Seal Colony |
| 10.50am Tonga Quarry |
| 11.05am Awaroa |
| 11.20am Totaranui |
| 11.35am Awaroa |
| 11.50am Tonga Quarry |
| 12.00 noon Medlands Beach |
| 12.20pm Anchorage |
| 12.35pm Adele Island |
| 12.55pm Kaiteriteri |
The Vista Cruise stops at popular beaches to transfer passengers booked to go ashore.
If you would like to disembark at a beach, please go to our trip finder and choose a Cruise & Walk or Cruise & Beach Stop option.
We recommend a small day pack, with the following items:
For a delicious picnic lunch prepared for you and delivered to the boat, or to your kayak guide, please give us your order by 5 pm the night before your trip. Standard, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, and Dairy-free/Vegan options available.
Classic picnic lunch (NZ$27 per person)
The Vista Cruise has a selection of hot and cold drinks (including beer and wine), ice creams, snacks and light meals. Click through to the Vista Cruise Menu.
You are welcome to bring your own lunch. Takeaway food is available at the Kaiteriteri departure point. Please allow extra time to choose your lunch. The shop can be busy when boats are departing.
There is one public restaurant/cafe in the park at Awaroa Lodge, open during the summer months. Please book directly with them by phoning 03 528 8758.
Click here for details of barbecue lunches available in the park.
New Zealand MetService puts the Nelson/Motueka region amongst the sunniest places in the country with over 2,350 bright sunshine hours per year. Average rainfall in the Nelson region is 988mm (38inches) per year. This rises to about 1800mm as you travel north to Totaranui.
For Nelson's daily weather forecasts, visit the New Zealand MetService website.
Average air temperatures and rainfall through the year
|
Mean Daily |
Mean Daily |
Average Rain |
|
|
Summer (Dec/Jan/Feb) |
22/72 |
13/55 |
6 |
|
Autumn (Mar/Apr/May) |
18/64 |
8/46 |
8 |
|
Winter (Jun/Jul/Aug) |
13/55 |
3/37 |
10 |
|
Spring (Sept/Oct/Nov) |
17/63 |
7/45 |
10 |
For day trips, the Better Bus provides Nelson-Kaiteriteri-Marahau bus connections. Schedules meet our 9.20 am Vista Cruise departure from Kaiteriteri and the 4.15 pm return to Kaiteriteri. Please book on their website.
Go to Bus Connections for more details and costs.
Lodge-based overnight trips include transfers on our own coach. We pick up from main accommodation providers in Nelson city, and along Highway 60 between Nelson and Motueka.
| Day Trips: Boat Timetable with Cruise & Walk Options (PDF) |
| Day Trips: Map and Sea Kayaking Options (PDF) |
Kaiteriteri has free, all-day parking. During the busy holiday season (Dec 20 to end February) it can be difficult to find a convenient parking spot. Please allow at least 30 minutes to find a park and walk back to check-in 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Overnight parking at Kaiteriteri Beach:
Available free except for the busy holiday season 20 December to 18 February. During this time, limited free overnight parking is available in the trailer park on Martin Farm Road, 15 mins walk (1 km) from check in at Kaiteriteri.
Parking is not secure. To avoid temptation please do not leave valuables in your car.
