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Beaches, Bays & Seals Plus Walk

FAQ

What will the weather be like?

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

 

Bus Connections with Nelson and Motueka

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.

How hard is the kayaking?

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).

Where do I park my car?

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.

Can I kayak if I can't swim?

We provide buoyancy vests so swimming ability is not essential.

If you follow your guide's instructions, it is highly unlikely that you will fall out of your kayak. If this does happen, your buoyancy vest will keep you afloat and your guide will safely rescue you.

Will I see seals on my kayaking trip?

Join our Beaches, Bays & Seals guided sea kayak day trip to sea seals from your kayak.

Half-day kayak trips (Split Apple Paddle and Kaiteriteri Highlights) kayak the sheltered beaches around Kaiteriteri. There are no seal colonies in this part of the park. Add a cruise & walk to your kayak trip to see seals from the boat at Adele Island Wildlife Sanctuary.

Split Apple Kayak Seals & Walk also cruises past the seal colony in Tonga Island Marine Reserve.

Can I book kayaking if I'm on my own?

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.