Abel Tasman Kayaking
Choose from our epic guided kayak tours or ‘do it yourself’ with our kayak hire options.
The Abel Tasman National Park has been home to New Zealand’s best sea kayaking for over 30 years. With its sheltered waters and seemingly endless progression of stunning beaches, bays and tidal inlets to explore, the Park is equally perfect for first-time paddlers or seasoned kayakers.
An overnight kayak trip is likely be the most amazing experience you will ever have in the New Zealand outdoors. Paddling along the coastline during the day and then pulling your kayak up onto a beach to camp for the night is simply magical. The sunsets and sunrises are spectacular.
Our Abel Tasman guided kayaking tours and kayak rentals leave from Marahau or use a water taxi to get your kayak to your starting point. Marahau Sea Kayaks is our operator of choice, they are one of the longest standing and widely recognised kayaking companies in the Nelson Tasman region. Our expert local kayak guides give you another perspective of the park by taking you you to the best beaches and bays the Abel Tasman and New Zealand, have to offer. If you ‘d prefer to go it alone, we also offer kayak hire from 2 hours to 5 days for all you adventurers out there!
Let's go kayaking!
Choose from our guided kayak tours, kayak and walk packages & freedom kayak rentals
Guided kayaking trips allow you to tap into the local knowledge of an experienced guide and expert kayak instructor.
Freedom kayak hire gives you with the opportunity to paddle into the Abel Tasman under your own steam, according to your own schedule.
Activity
Freedom Islands
Freedom Kayak | Full Day
Freedom Anchorage
Freedom Kayak | Full Day
2 Day Freedom Kayak
Freedom Kayak | 2 Days
Blast & Walk
Guided Kayak & Walk | Full Day
3 Day Freedom Kayak
Freedom Kayak | 3 Days
Half Day Blast
Guided Kayak | Half Day
Abel Tasman Platter
Guided Kayak | Full Day
Total Freedom
Freedom Kayak | 3 Days
4 Day Freedom Kayak
Freedom Kayak | 4 Days
Gourmet Platter
Guided Kayak & Walk | Full Day
Freedom Tonga
Freedom Kayak | 2 Days
PM Paddle
Guided Kayak | Half Day
Marine Reserve Express
Guided Kayak | Half Day
5 Day Freedom Kayak
Freedom Kayak | 5 Days
Paddle & Walk
Guided Kayak & Walk | Full Day
Magical Marine Reserve
Guided Kayak | Full Day
Best of Both Worlds
Guided Kayak & Walk | Full Day
Freedom Totaranui
Freedom Kayak | 3 Days
Ocean and Earth
Guided Kayak & Walk | 2 Days
Homeward Bound
Guided Kayak & Walk | 3 DaysPlan your trip with our Abel Tasman kayak map
Kayaking information
Abel Tasman Kayaking Times:
| Mārahau – Observation Beach | ~3hrs |
| Mārahau – Anchorage | ~4hrs |
| Anchorage – Bark Bay | ~2hrs |
| Bark Bay – Onetahuti | ~1.5hrs |
Highlights: Crystal clear water, golden sand beaches, lush native bush, New Zealand wildlife
Climate: Moderate, maritime with warm summers and cool winters. Learn more about Abel Tasman Seasons
What to bring: Visit our Abel Tasman Planning & Preparation guide
Where to stay: See our Abel Tasman Camping & Accommodation guide
Tidal Crossings: Tide times at Awaroa Inlet must be checked carefully. To explore the inlet by kayak, high tide is the best option. The inlet may only be crossed on foot within 1hr 30mins before and 2hrs after low tide so please make careful note of these times. Outside of these times the crossing by foot is dangerous. There are other tidal crossings in the Park (Torrent Bay, Bark Bay) but all have alternate high tide routes. You can check the Abel Tasman tides here and check the weather in the Abel Tasman here
Read about Kayaking in the Abel Tasman
The Kayak Guide’s Guide to Kayaking
It could be argued that the Abel Tasman is Aotearoa’s premium kayaking location. The main thrust of this argument would be that the coastline here is ideally suited for sea kayaking. Firstly, Tasman Bay
Guiding the Kayak Guides – NMIT Adventure Tourism and Guiding
If you have ever kayaked in the Abel Tasman there is a high chance your kayak guides will be graduates of the NMIT Te Pūkenga Adventure Tourism and Guiding Course. The odds of this
Which Kayaking Option?
By the last count, there were over a million different options for kayaking trips in the Abel Tasman! There are so many options and factors to consider it’s enough to give you a headache,
Locals Tip
“You simply can’t beat a guided kayak trip where we show you our favourite nooks and crannies and teach you about the wildlife and history of the park.”