Kayak Abel Tasman: Beaches Kayak Walk

Trip Overview

A leisurely paced trip offering all of Abel Tasman's best adventure experiences in one day for a low, all-inclusive cost. Cruise, kayak and walk with time to relax on a golden beach.

Start

9am

End

4.15pm or 6pm

Walking

Anchorage Beach
various optional walks

Cruise

Kaiteriteri – Anchorage return
1 hr

Kayak Time

Split Apple Paddle
2 hr

From

$145

Minimum Age

10 years

Trip Route Map & Information

Our best value kayak/walk combo: Split Apple kayak, Anchorage Beach, plus seal viewing from Vista Cruise. Minimum age 10 years.

9am Check in at our Kaiteriteri ticket booth to meet your friendly guide. On the golden beach sands of Kaiteriteri Beach, your 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, confident you can enjoy a safe paddling experience. Your guide knows all the best, secret spots taking into account the tides, weather and your interests and abilities. You'll paddle up to 2 hours. Watch out for our resident Blue Penguins and other sea birds along the coast. 2 hr paddling time includes a break on a sheltered beach.
12 noon Return to Kaiteriteri. Farewell your guide and swap kayak gear for walking shoes. If required, there is time to buy takeaway lunch from the Kaiteriteri store before you board the Vista Cruise
1pm Vista Cruise departs to cruise the protected waters of the Astrolabe Roadstead past idyllic beaches fringed by lush native forest to the golden expanse of Anchorage Bay (30–45 min). You choose how to spend your time: swim, sunbathe, take a leisurely stroll along the beach or explore the sunny Manuka groves leading to the idyllic cove of Te Pukatea Bay and return (45 min walking time). For those that would like a longer walk, there’s the option to walk to Te Pukatea via the Pitt Head Loop track, with stunning views across Tasman Bay (1 hr 30 min return). There are excellent Department of Conservation facilities at Anchorage Beach, including drinking water, shady picnic tables, shelter and modern toilets.
3.35pm or 5.20pm* Vista Cruise pick up at Anchorage Beach. On your return journey, the boat cruises past Adele Island to view its resident seals.
4.15pm or 6pm* Return to Kaiteriteri.

* Later return available 20 October to 31 March.

This itinerary can be reversed with kayaking in the afternoon. Contact us for details.

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.

Please bring your own lunch, or order one of our scrumptious picnic lunches.

You can buy food at Kaiteriteri, where our boats depart, and there are light meals, snack, drinks and ice creams available to buy aboard the Vista Cruise.

Our picnic lunches

These are created by a local artisan bakery. Please book and pay for the lunch up to the day before you travel. We cannot refund or transfer this payment within 16 hours of departure.

Dietary options include standard, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, nut free, vegan or gluten and dairy free.

Classic picnic lunch (NZ$25 per person)

fresh baked beef or vegetarian roll
vegetarian quiche
chocolate afghan biscuit
seasonal piece of fruit
fruit juice

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

fresh baked beef or vegetarian roll
chocolate afghan biscuit
seasonal piece of fruit

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

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 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