Vista Cruise into Torrent Bay in the heart of the park, then kayak to Bark Bay pausing to watch the seals on Pinnacle Island. Land at Bark Bay, then relax on the beach or choose a leisurely walk around the waterfall trail. If you are feeling active, take a walk to Torrent Bay.
Trip Overview
Start
9.20am
End
4.15pm
Walking
1 hr 30 min
Bark Bay Waterfall Trail
Bark Bay Waterfall Trail
Cruise
45 min Kaiteriteri – Torrent Bay
1 hr Medlands – Kaiteriteri
1 hr Medlands – Kaiteriteri
Kayak Time
1 hr 30 min
Torrent Bay to Medlands Beach
Torrent Bay to Medlands Beach
From
NZ$185
Minimum Age
12 years
Availability
1 May - 30 Sep
Trip Route Map & Information
Kayak in the heart of the park. See seals, on Pinnacle Is. then relax on the beach or take a walk.
| 9am Meet your guide at Kaiteriteri (or meet at Torrent Bay 10.15am if you are already in the park). |
| 9.20am Depart Kaiteriteri for a scenic cruise past the islands and golden coves of the Astrolabe Roadstead to Torrent Bay. |
|
10.05am On the golden, sandy beach in front of our Torrent Bay Lodge, your friendly, expert guide settles you into a stable double kayak with full instructions and safety brief. Then it's on to the water to explore the coves and islands of the granite coast. Your guide ensures you make the most of the day depending on the tides, weather conditions, and your interests and abilities. Watch out for resident Blue Penguins and other sea birds along the coast. Enjoy watching the antics of the seals on Pinnacle Island (weather permitting). |
| 12.30pm Lunch at Bark Bay then choose to relax on the beach or take a walk. |
|
Waterfall trail: Walk leisurely 1 hr 30 min (3km) around the Bark Bay Inlet. |
|
3.10pm Pick up at Medlands Beach or Cruise back to Kaiteriteri. View seals at Adele Island on your return journey. |
| 4.15pm Return to Kaiteriteri. |
What to bring
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.
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 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.
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, or to your kayak guide, 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$27 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$17 per person)
Standard or Vegetarian only
- Ploughman's Sandwich
- Crisp Apple
- Banana Bread Loaf
Gourmet hamper lunch (NZ$45 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
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 |
Following Covid travel disruptions, local bus services for day trips have been suspended. Please contact us for solutions.
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.
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.
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.