Take your time to cruise in style and comfort from Kaiteriteri to Totaranui and return. This trip includes a 2-hour beach stop at Anchorage Beach before you return to Kaiteriteri.
Perfect for exploring, enjoying a walk (PItt Head Loop or Te Pukatea Bay) or simply relaxing for some beach time in the heart of the Abel Tasman.
Call into popular beaches, see the famous Split Apple Rock, view sea birds and seals along the coast and around Tonga and Adele Islands.
For a leisurely start to your day. Cruise Kaiteriteri - TÅtaranui return with all the highlights plus beach stop to relax or take a walk.
| 10.00am Check in at Kaiteriteri ticket office. If you have already exchanged your booking confirmation for a boarding ticket, please check in at the boat. |
| 10.30am Vista cruise departs Kaiteriteri |
| 10.50am Split Apple Rock - pause for photographs at this famous landmark. |
| 11.15pm Anchorage and Torrent Bay |
| 11.30am Medlands and Bark Bay |
| 11.45am View Tonga Island Seal Colony in the marine reserve |
| 12.10pm Awaroa |
| 12.25pm Boat turns around at TÅtaranui |
| 12.40pm Awaroa |
| 12.55pm Tonga Quarry |
| 1.10pm Medlands |
| 1.20pm Torrent Bay |
| 1.30pm Enjoy a beach stop at Anchorage Beach. Relax on the beach or take a walk. For group bookings, you can stay onboard the boat to return to Kaiteriteri at 2.40pm. |
| 3.30pm Depart Anchorage to cruise through the Astrolabe Roadstead, pausing to see the antics of seals on Adele Island. |
| 4.15pm Return to Kaiteriteri at 2.40pm. |
To return to Kaiteriteri at 12.40pm, cruise to Medlands Beach (arrive 11.30am) then transfer to the southbound Vista Cruise to return. See 10.30am Coffee Cruise for full details.
For a delicious picnic lunch prepared for you and delivered to the boat, or to your kayak guide, please give us your order by 5 pm the night before your trip. (Not available in June, July or August). Standard, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, and Dairy-free/Vegan options available.
Classic picnic lunch (NZ$27 per person)
The Vista Cruise has a selection of hot and cold drinks (including beer and wine), ice creams, snacks and light meals. Click through to the Vista Cruise Menu.
You are welcome to bring your own lunch. Takeaway food is available at the Kaiteriteri departure point. Please allow extra time to choose your lunch. The shop can be busy when boats are departing.
There is one public restaurant/cafe in the park at Awaroa Lodge, open during the summer months. Please book directly with them by phoning 03 528 8758.
Click here for details of barbecue lunches available in the park.
We recommend a small day pack, with the following items:
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 |
| Day Trips: Boat Timetable with Cruise & Walk Options (PDF) |
| Day Trips: Map and Sea Kayaking Options (PDF) |
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.
Being on the wrong side of 60 and not into hiking we chose to take the 4 hour Wilsons boat trip from Kaiteriteri. Some amazing photo ops and a very informative crew who provided lots of interesting info as we cruised in and out of bays and made stops up to Totaranui and back.
There was also time at a couple of stops to get off and look around. You can even get off and catch a later boat if you wish to do some hiking. Highly recommended.
