Kayak with your guide to explore Split Apple Rock. Vista Cruise into Tonga Island Marine Reserve.
Land at Tonga Quarry for an unguided walk to Medlands Beach then Vista Cruise return to Kaiteriteri.
View the antics of seals on Tonga and Adele Islands.
Split Apple Paddle plus 2 hr walk Tonga to Medlands. View seals from Vista Cruise on Tonga and Adele Islands. Min. age 10 years.
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9.00 Check in at our Kaiteriteri ticket booth to meet your guide. On the golden beach sands of Kaiteriteri Beach, 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, 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 with paddling time 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. |
| 12.00 Return to Kaiteriteri. Farewell your guide and swap kayak gear for walking shoes. If required, there is time to buy take-away lunch from the Kaiteriteri store before you board the Vista Cruise |
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1.00 Join our Vista Cruise at Kaiteriteri to cruise the protected waters of the Astrolabe Roadstead into Torrent Bay and continue on to Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Pause at Adele Island to view seals, then disembark on the mainland at historic Tonga Quarry beach. Here you have the choice to relax or take an unguided walk. The track is well-formed and easy to follow. Your boat hosts will direct you to the start of your walk and greet you at your pick up point. |
An easy 1.5km walk (1mile), takes you to Onetahuti Bay. Explore this stunning stretch of golden sand and native forest before returning to Tonga Quarry.
3.00 Vista Cruise pick up at Tonga Quarry. On your return journey, the boat cruises past Adele Island to view its resident seals
4.15 Return to Kaiteriteri
Walk 4.1kms (2.5miles) over the forested Tonga Saddle and around the picturesque Bark Bay waterfall track with its new swing bridge. Medlands Beach is a 10 minute walk from Bark Bay.
5.05 Vista Cruise pick up Medlands Beach. On your return journey, the boat cruises past Adele Island to view its resident seals.
6.00 Return to Kaiteriteri
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.
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:
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.
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.
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)
Lite picnic lunch (NZ$15 per person)
Standard or Vegetarian only
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
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Mean Daily |
Mean Daily |
Average Rain |
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Summer (Dec/Jan/Feb) |
22/72 |
13/55 |
6 |
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Autumn (Mar/Apr/May) |
18/64 |
8/46 |
8 |
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Winter (Jun/Jul/Aug) |
13/55 |
3/37 |
10 |
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Spring (Sept/Oct/Nov) |
17/63 |
7/45 |
10 |
