Abel Tasman National Park New Zealand Awaroa Beach

Trip Overview

Cruise through Tonga Island Marine Reserve to reach Awaroa, a fascinating inlet that has inspired generations of settlement and protection. Choose your lunch option – bring a picnic or dine cafe-style at Awaroa Lodge (not owned by us).

Later departures are available during high season (20 October–31 March). Check booking table for available times.

For a more active day, book the Pioneer Trail (2 hour walk) or Pioneer Trail Plus (4 hour walk).

If you are staying in Golden Bay or Totaranui, go to Totaranui Dine & Stride for Awaroa options.

Start

9.20am or 10.30am

End

4.15pm

Walking

optional

Cruise

Kaiteriteri – Awaroa return
3 hrs

From

$84 book online save $3

Trip Route Map & Information

Cruise to Awaroa Beach to explore this historic inlet. Choose your style of lunch – cafe or picnic.

Trip details

Cruise 1 hr 30 min to Awaroa Beach. Take a picnic or dine at Awaroa Lodge cafe.

Check-in 30 minutes before departure time at our Kaiteriteri ticket office. If you have already exchanged your booking confirmation for a boarding ticket, please check in at the boat

9.20am or 10.30am Depart Kaiteriteri and cruise along the Abel Tasman Coast, calling into popular beaches along the way, and pausing to view Tonga Island Seal Colony.
11.05am or 12.20pm Arrive at Awaroa.
2.20pm Vista cruise departs Awaroa.
4.15pm Return to Kaiteriteri.

* Available 20 October to 31 March.

Lunch choices

Awaroa Lodge & Cafe, restaurant and pizzeria (additional cost). This is not one of our lodges. Please check availability with them. Telephone (03) 528-8758
order a scrumptious picnic lunch from us the day before you travel
take your own picnic to enjoy on the beach

What to bring

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is well-formed and heavy hiking boots aren't necessary, but you can wear them if you prefer.

WE RECOMMEND

Light walking shoes or sports sandals

Sand shoes for kayaking or estuary crossings

NOT RECOMMENDED
Footwear that is not firmly attached to the foot e.g. jandals, flip flops, slides, etc.

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.

Wear quick-dry, loose fitting clothing. You are walking beside the sea, so might have to roll up trousers and remove shoes for short tidal crossings.

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.

Not recommended: Cotton clothing (especially denim) is very heavy and cold if it gets wet. It 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:

Extra clothing. New Zealand weather is renowned for providing four seasons in one day so quick-dry thermal fabrics are best
Sun protection. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are essential in all weather. We enjoy 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 cloudy days
Insect repellent
Waterproof jacket with hood
Swimwear and towel (optional)
Drinking water
Lunch. If it has not been ordered the day before you travel, please bring your own
Camera. Remember to check the batteries!
Hand sanitiser. No hand wipes or paper tissues/towels please. They create litter and clog the toilet systems.

The coastal track is well formed and walking sticks are not necessary. However, if you have weak leg joints, or poor balance, you might prefer to bring them.

Download/print a full list of what to bring

You are welcome to bring your own lunch. The Vista Cruise has a selection of hot and cold drinks (including beer and wine), ice creams, snacks and light meals.

If you would like a delicious picnic lunch prepared for you and delivered to the boat, please give us your order by 6 pm the night before your trip.

You can buy food at the Kaiteriteri departure point. Please allow time as the shop can be busy when boats are departing. There is also one public restaurant/cafe in the park at Awaroa Lodge. Please book your lunch directly with them by phoning 03 528 8758.

Our picnic lunches can cater for most dietary requirements. The menus below all have vegetarian, vegan, gluten, nut and dairy-free options with similar ingredients, modified to suit special diets.

Classic picnic lunch (NZ$25 per person)

Ploughman's Sandwich with salad and sliced beef (vegetarian option: roasted aubergine)
Crisp Apple
Vegetable Quiche
Banana Bread Loaf (gluten/dairy free option: chocolate muffin)
Whittaker's Chocolate Peanut Slab (vegan, gluten and dairy-free varieties available)

Lite picnic lunch (NZ$15 per person)
Standard or Vegetarian only

Ploughman's Sandwich
Crisp Apple
Banana Bread Loaf

Gourmet hamper lunch (NZ$40 per person)

Nelson's hand-made Proper Crisps (potato crisps lightly seasoned with sea salt).
Ploughman's Sandwich with salad and sliced beef (vegetarian option: roasted aubergine)
Crisp Apple
Couscous salad (gluten-free option available)
Camembert Cheese with grapes and crackers
Banana Bread Loaf (gluten/dairy free option: chocolate muffin)
Whittaker's Chocolate Peanut Slab (vegan, gluten and dairy-free varieties available)

FAQ

We can book coach connections for you from most accommodation providers in the Nelson/Motueka region. Please contact us to book discounted transfers.

For maps showing pick up locations click on these links:

Nelson pick up/drop off

Motueka pick up/drop off

Go to Bus Connections for more details and fares.

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 Max. Temps (°C/°F)	Mean Daily Min. Temps (°C/°F)	Average Rain Days (>1mm)
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

Boat Tour with lunch at Awaroa

We chose to get off at Awaroa and walk 250m to the Lodge, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch in their restaurant. We then had a leisurely walk around the grounds and back along the beach to be picked up, about 2 1/2 hours later. We then enjoyed calling into each bay to pick up the walkers and kayakers who had got off earlier. A fabulous trip and good value for money.

Awaroa Dine & Explore #8

Trip Overview

Trip Route Map & Information

Trip details

Lunch choices

What to bring

Recommended footwear

What to wear walking

What to bring (day trip)

Lunch options

FAQ

Bus Connections with Nelson and Motueka

What will the weather be like?

Boat Tour with lunch at Awaroa