Head out on a guided kayak trip to explore Split Apple Rock.
Board the Vista Cruise into Tonga Island Marine Reserve. See the antics of seals around Tonga and Adele Islands.
At Tonga Quarry, enjoy a leisurely, unguided walk to Medlands Beach.
Then relax and enjoy the return Vista Cruise to Kaiteriteri.
Split Apple Paddle, walk from Tonga to Medlands Beach, then see Tonga and Adele Islands' seals from Vista Cruise. Min. age 10 years.
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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. Watch out for our resident Blue Penguins and other sea birds along the coast. Your 2 hour 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 |
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1pm 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 (1 mile), takes you to Onetahuti Bay. Explore this stunning stretch of golden sand and native forest before returning to Tonga Quarry.
3pm Vista Cruise pick up at Tonga Quarry. On your return journey, the boat cruises past Adele Island to view its resident seals.
4.15pm Return to Kaiteriteri.
Walk 4.1km (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.
5.05pm Vista Cruise pick up Medlands Beach. On your return journey, the boat cruises past Adele Island to view its resident seals.
6pm 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.
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:
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)
Lite picnic lunch (NZ$17 per person)
Standard or Vegetarian only
Gourmet hamper lunch (NZ$45 per person)
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 |
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.
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.
