For the most variety in one day, cruise to Observation Beach, kayak to see seals and birds on Adele Island, then cruise to Tonga Island Marine Reserve with its resident seal colony.
Land at Tonga Quarry to walk 2 hours, around the Bark Bay waterfall trail to Medlands Beach.
Adele Island kayak, cruise to Tonga Island Marine Reserve, walk the Waterfall Trail to Medlands Beach, 2 hours. Minimum age 12 years.
| 9am Check in at our Kaiteriteri ticket booth. |
| 9.20am Join our Vista Cruise at Kaiteriteri to cruise into the protected waters of the Astrolabe Roadstead. |
|
9.40am Disembark at Observation Beach where 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. Paddle to Adele Island, a predator-free sanctuary ringing with birdsong. The island is home to seals, penguins and other birds, including one of New Zealand's rarest birds, the South Island Saddleback (Tīeke). Explore the coast of Adele Island, then return to Observation Beach. |
| 1.15pm Join the Vista Cruise to travel along the spectacular granite coast, calling into popular beaches along the way and pausing to view the antics of seals on Tonga Island. |
| 2.05pm Land at historic Tonga Quarry to walk over forested Tonga Saddle and around the Bark Bay waterfall trail to picturesque Medlands Beach. |
| 5.05pm Rejoin the Vista Cruise to return to Kaiteriteri at 6pm. |
This itinerary may be reversed with a Beach Stop at either Tonga Quarry, Medlands Beach or Anchorage before starting your Adele Island Birdsong & Seals kayak from Observation Beach at 1pm. Please contact us for details.
The Abel Tasman region enjoys glorious weather, summer and winter. Temperatures can be crisp in the mornings and cool in late afternoon with summer sea breezes.
Bring a spare set of clothing and warm layer to be stored in the kayak so you can change into dry gear if necessary.
Footwear for kayaking is optional. Light shoes or water socks are best. Your feet will get wet.
Always bring shoes and socks for walking, in case weather causes you to land on a beach where some walking might be necessary.
We provide a spray jacket and buoyancy vest that will keep you warm on most days when paddling. On cooler days, we provide booties (bring socks for lining) and gloves for added comfort.
Not recommended: cotton clothing, especially denim. It is very heavy and cold when wet, and takes a long time to dry. Thermal, quick-dry fabrics are best e.g. polypropylene, polarfleece, wool.
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.
The Abel Tasman is renowned for its protected coastline but it's impossible to guarantee conditions in the marine environment. When sea and weather are calm, sea kayaking is easy and very little skill or strength is required.
Double kayaks are used for stability, enjoyment and the advantage of having two people sharing the paddling effort.
You need to be prepared for variable conditions in the outdoors. Sometimes, you might have to paddle against the wind to the nearest beach. Our qualified Guides are trained to reduce the chance of this, and assist if needed.
Guides provide full training and, if their instructions are followed, kayaking is safe and fun. Our boat crew provides full back-up so if kayaking becomes too difficult through the day you can leave your kayak at a beach and walk or take the boat.
If you're worried about the weather for your day trip, please click through to Kayak Day Trip Cancellation Conditions.
For a multiday trip with us, kayaking each day is optional and you're welcome to join the walking group or catch a boat if you're not enjoying the kayaking. For a gentle introduction to kayaking, our 5-Day Walk can include a taste of kayaking in the sheltered lagoons close to our lodges (no special booking or extra charge required).
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.
Of course! All of our kayak trips use stable double kayaks, with the guide in a single kayak. If you are on your own, your guide will pair you with another single traveller, or your guide will share a double kayak with you.
