Wilsons Abel Tasman National Park Sea Kayaking Multiday Guided Trips

Wilson’s kayak and walk trips in Abel Tasman National Park offer freedom and flexibility in this gentle paradise, where lush native forests give way to golden sands and azure water. At day’s end, enjoy the comfort of twin/double en suite accommodation.

A minimum of 2 nights/3 days is recommended to experience the full length of the spectacular coast from Kaiteriteri to Totaranui, staying one night in each of the Wilson’s two Beachfront Eco Lodges. Stay two nights at each Lodge for the most relaxing way to experience everything the Park has to offer. Itineraries are flexible and can be designed to suit your interests, abilities and schedules.

When sea and weather conditions are calm, sea kayaking is easy and very little skill is required. The Abel Tasman is renowned for its protected coast, but it is impossible to guarantee calm conditions. Our Guides provide full training. If their instructions are followed, kayaking is safe and fun.

2 Day Kayaking Trip

Day One: Nelson/Motueka to Torrent Bay

• Depart from Wilson’s Office, Motueka or accommodation pickups, Nelson 7.30am, Motueka 8.30am
• Bus to Kaiteriteri, where your guide settles you into your kayak with full training and safety brief
• Paddling along the coast, discover the pristine bays and beaches, cruise the Astrolabe Roadstead
• Visit the stunning bays of Te Pukatea and Appletree, or paddle along the coast of Adele Island
• Stop for lunch at a protected bay, then continue to Torrent Bay Lodge on the beachfront
• Sea Kayak – Kaiteriteri to Torrent Bay – 4.5 hours, 12km
• Includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch and dinner

Day 2: Torrent Bay to Onetahuti and Moteuka/Nelson

• Leave Torrent Bay for Onetahuti – 4 hours (10km) enjoying a morning of beach hopping
• Taking in points of interest: Falls River, Frenchman’s Bay
• Midday, stop for lunch at Bark Bay and take time out to relax, explore, swim or sunbathe
• In good weather, visit the Seal Colony on Tonga Island where New Zealand fur seals breed
• Cruising past Tonga Quarry & Tonga Arches, your guide will explain the history of this granite area
• Leave Sea Kayaks at Onetahuti to join your boat cruise back to Kaiteriteri (1.2 hours)
• Your bus meets you to return to Motueka (4.30pm) or Nelson (5.30pm
• Includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch

Departures: Most days in summer months, on request in winter.

3 Day Kayak & Walk Trips

Two days sea kayaking the protected southern coastline and one day walking the lush northern Abel Tasman Coast Track. Includes a scenic cruise along the length of the Abel Tasman coast.

Day One: Nelson/Motueka to Torrent Bay

• Same as above (2 day kayaking trip day one)

Day Two: Torrent Bay to Awaroa

• Kayak to Torrent Bay to Onetahuti, as described above (2 day kayaking trip day two)
• Leave sea kayaks at Onetahuti & walk over the Tonga Saddle to Meadowbank Homestead – Awaroa
• Includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch and dinner

Day Three: Awaroa to Nelson/Motueka via Totaranui

• Cross the Awaroa estuary & walk through the northern forests of the park, 2 hours (7 km’s)
• At Totaranui, join the comfortable catamaran to cruise the coastline you have just kayaked, 2 hrs
• Your coach meets you to return to Motueka (4.30pm, 20 mins) or Nelson (5.30pm, 1.5 hours)
• Includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch and dinner

Departure: Year round, departing Monday (Southbound), Wednesday and Saturday (Northbound). This trip is reversed on some departures.

5 Day Kayak & Walk Trips

The ultimate Abel Tasman National Park experience. Relaxed or adventurous – your choice.

Two days sea kayaking the protected southern coastline and one day walking the lush northern Abel Tasman Coast Track with an extra day at each of your Beachfront Lodges to relax or explore.

Day One: Nelson/Motueka to Awaroa via Totaranui

• Depart from Wilson’s Office, Motueka or accommodation pickups, Nelson 7.30am, Motueka 8.30am
• Bus to Kaiteriteri and cruise along the National Park coastline from Kaiteriteri to Totaranui (2 hours)
• Relax at Totaranui, or take a walk through rainforest on the Pukatea Loop (approx 1.5 hours)
• Walk south approximately 2 hours from Totaranui to the fascinating Awaroa estuary
• Spend the night on the beachfront at Meadowbank Homestead – Awaroa
• Includes morning and afternoon tea, lunch and dinner

Day 2: Explore Awaroa

• Let your guide design your day to be as active or relaxed as you wish, options include:
  • Explore the largest tidal estuary in the Park on foot or by kayak (tides permitting)
  • Visit early European and pre-European historical sites
  • Unwind on the beach
  • Relax and enjoy the comforts of Meadowbank Homestead – Awaroa
  • Includes breakfast morning and afternoon tea, lunch and dinner

Day 3: Awaroa to Torrent Bay

• Depart Awaroa to walk over the Tonga Saddle to Onetahuti, 1.5 hours (5 km’s)
• Here, your guide will settle you into your kayaks with full training and safety brief
• Sea Kayak Onetahuti to Torrent Bay 4 hours (10 km’s) in good weather, visit the Seal Colony
• Cruising past Tonga Quarry & Tonga Arches, your guide will explain the history of this granite area
• Stop for lunch at Bark Bay, take time out to explore, swim or relax on the golden sand
• Continue beach hopping, to Torrent Bay Lodge, visit Falls River and Frenchman’s Bay
• Includes breakfast morning and afternoon tea, lunch and dinner

Day 4: Explore Torrent Bay

• A day of Choices! Let your guide plan an adventurous or relaxing day to suit you, options include:
  • Walk through breathtaking first generation forest, up to the waterfalls on Falls River
  • Canoe in the estuary and visit the peaceful grotto of Cleopatra’s Pool (tides permitting)
  • Walk to the protected beaches of Anchorage and Te Pukatea and visit historic Maori sites
  • Includes breakfast, morning and afternoon tea, lunch & dinner

Day 5: Torrent Bay to Kaiteriteri

• Leave Torrent Bay for Kaiteriteri, paddling along the coast, discover the pristine bays and beaches
• Cruise the Astrolabe Roadstead, visit the stunning bays of Te Pukatea and Appletree, or paddle along the coast of Adele Island, stop for lunch at a protected bay, then continue to Kaiteriteri
• Sea Kayak – Kaiteriteri to Torrent Bay – 4.5 hours, 12km
• Your coach meets you at Kaiteriteri to return to Motueka (4.30pm) or Nelson (5.30pm)
• Includes breakfast, morning and afternoon tea and lunch

Departures: Year round, departing every Tuesday and Friday.

Other Information

• Day packs and safe excess luggage and car storage available
• Complimentary overnight bags are provided, which are transported to your lodges by boat
• The direction of the Guided Kayaking Trips may be reversed on some departures
• If start/finish times do not suit your itinerary, contact us to make alternative arrangements
• Keep in mind kayaking & walking each day is optional, you are welcome to travel on scheduled ferry services, please discuss this option with your guide prior to each days departure
• If you find that sea kayaking is not for you, you have the option of joining the walk group that is walking the kayaking sections of this itinerary
• You do not leave the beach until your guide is satisfied you can safely negotiate the coast in your kayak

Location

Wilson’s Head Office, Main Road, Motueka, New Zealand.