Top 15 Kayaking Trips in Abel Tasman

1.Kayak & Walk

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews · from $142Our pick

Start in Marahau with a coastal walk to Observation Beach, enjoy a fresh lunch, then kayak back with a guide such as Sam or Emily. The route takes about eight hours and includes forest tracks, beaches, rock formations, ocean views, and possible sailing if conditions allow.

“Sam was an excellent guide for the kayaking portion of our experience. There are compartments on the kayaks to store your gear. They also include a dry bag for phones and keys. We were on the water about 3 hrs and took breaks along thRead more”

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2.Abel Tasman Kayaks Kayak and Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 65 reviews · from $135

Paddle a double kayak with an English-speaking guide from Marahau to Observation Beach, passing golden beaches and seal habitat. After lunch, walk the southern Abel Tasman Coastal Track unguided. The trip may run in reverse, and guides such as Ed, Mitchell, Zoey, and Hillary are praised for clear help and local insight.

“No changes are necessary. Our guide Ed was fantastic and he was very knowledgeable and helpful. Lunch was terrific.”

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3.Abel Tasman Kayaks: 1 Day Freedom Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 58 reviews · 1 day · from $74Best value

Start and finish in Marahau with a double kayak, safety gear, map, and a detailed briefing. Paddle independently around Astrolabe, Adele Island, Fisherman Island, coastal caves, and Watering Cove. The route suits beginners aged 14 and over, but you need at least two people to book.

“It was a nice first try of kayaking! So, also good for beginners, not only pros. You have the freedom to go wherever you want to. Also, we accidentally booked the wrong time and they handled it really well and helped us, very flexible. :)”

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4.Oarsome Marine Reserve Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 39 reviews · from $198

Paddle from Marahau through Abel Tasman National Park with a guide and a maximum of eight people. Expect provided gear, fur seals near Tonga Island, three scenic lagoons, Anchorage Beach, and a water taxi ride back. Guides such as Pandy and Quinn lead the day.

“Folks were great as we were delayed by an accident in the drive there. Gave us options, got us there for the second half of the trip and our guide was fun and knowledgeable”

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5.1 Day Sea Kayak Rental

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · from $74

Set out from Marahau at 8:30 am with a kayak and required equipment, then paddle independently along the Abel Tasman coast for up to seven hours. Stop at golden-sand beaches, visit islands, watch for seals, and pass Split Apple Rock before returning to Marahau.

“We had a beautiful day of kayaking in this gorgeous part of the world. We'd recommend this experience to anyone who loves kayaking and discovering beautiful, secluded beaches.”

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6.Southern Duo kayak & walk tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $117

Start at 8:30 am in Marahau for a small-group paddle along Abel Tasman’s southern coast. You’ll kayak for about two hours, look for fur seals near little Adele Island, then walk three to four hours on a mostly flat trail to viewpoints and birdsong. Gear is supplied.

“Erst geht es mit dem Kayak an der Küste entlang und zufuss durch den Park zurück. Die Tour war super. Kayak ungefähr 2 Stunden. Die Wanderung 3-4 Stunden auf einem flachen Weg. Sehr nette Guides.”

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7.Mārahau: Abel Tasman Marine Reserve Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 8 hours · from $212

Spend eight hours kayaking through the Tonga Island Marine Reserve with a small group of up to 10. Paddle past fur seals, granite headlands, lagoons, and golden beaches, with lunch, equipment, water taxis, and guide Ed included.

“We had a wonderful day on the kayaks. Ed was a fantastic host who provided us with a lot of interesting information about the national park We would definitely recommend this tour”

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8.Remote Marine Reserve – Guided Kayaking – New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · from $220

Spend about eight hours sea kayaking through Abel Tasman National Park with a professional guide. Tide and weather set the route, from Awaroa or Onetahuti to Bark Bay or Anchorage, with Tonga Island fur seals, granite arches, lagoons, a picnic lunch, and water-taxi transfers.

“Amazing way to learn about the history, geology, fauna and wildlife of the marine reserve and New Zealand in general.”

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9.Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Kayak, & Hike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 9h 30m · from $417

You’ll cruise from Kaiteriteri past Split Apple Rock, kayak the Astrolabe coast toward Adele Island, look for fur seals, then hike to Anchorage with a local guide. The day includes lunch, swimming time, gear, and Nelson accommodation pickup. Guides have included Alan, Carter, Jeremy, and Lucy.

“Best guide with an very individual tour and much information! Everything was well planed, organized and better than we expected! Thank you very much for this wonderful day!”

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10.Three Day Classic Kayaking in New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $744

Paddle from Totaranui and Awaroa toward Marahau on a three-day guided kayak and camping trip through Abel Tasman National Park. You’ll explore beaches, lagoons, islands, Māori pā sites, and seal country, with catered meals and guides such as Mitchell, Whitney, Lou, or Awatea depending on your departure.

“What a fantastic family trip! Whitney the super guide looked after us so well! The food was amazing, nothing was rushed and a good amount of paddling each day. My son is also Coeliac and they catered for him extremely well.”

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11.Seal Sanctuary Tour – Guided Kayaking – New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $161

Start in Marahau at 8:15 am, take a water taxi toward Tonga Island and the Astrolabe coast, then paddle around Adele and Fisherman Islands for up to 1.5 hours. Guides such as Ed and Whitney have been praised for calm, attentive instruction, wildlife spotting, and useful local insight.

“Enjoyed the part of the tour that followed the Abel Tasman shore. It rained very hard during the excursion and though the guides worked hard to cope, it seemed they were not well prepared with shelter for the lunch stop. The sandwiches Read more”

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12.Kayak & Pitt Head Nature Loop – Guided Kayak & Unguided Walk – New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $164

Spend about eight hours exploring Abel Tasman from Marahau to Anchorage by guided kayak, water taxi and unguided walk. Guides such as Brody, Darryl, Luisa and Hayley bring local stories, paddling tips and a relaxed spirit. Lunch, coffee, juice and snacks are included.

“An amazing day out – one of the highlights of our time in New Zealand. A fantastic way to explore Abel Tasman in one day. Our guide was knowledgeable and cheerful. Only thing I'd flag up is that we could have done with some more info rRead more”

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13.3 Day Unguided Kayaking starting in the Abel Tasman National Park New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $225

Start in Marahau with a full safety briefing, then take a water taxi to Onetahuti Bay and paddle south through Abel Tasman National Park. Kayaks, paddles, safety gear, maps, and a camping pass are included. Bring or hire your own camping equipment.

“We couldn't fault one bit of our kayak rental with Abel Tasman Kayaks! They were really professional, super friendly, flexible and helpful! The kayaks were in great condition, held way more stuff than we thought and were super easy to use! Thank you Abel Tasman Kayaks!”

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14.Full-Day Freedom Kayak Rental in New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $77

Start at Marahau for a safety briefing, then paddle your own double kayak through Abel Tasman’s Astrolabe area. Visit Adele and Fisherman Islands, look for fur seals, drift into high-tide caves, and hike above Watering Cove if time and energy allow. Ben leads the clear briefing.

“Fan and exciting paddle experience in Abel Tasman National Park. Beautiful view, lovely weather, and good people.”

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15.2 Day Freedom Kayak – Kayak Rental – New Zealand

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $128

Collect your kayak in Mārahau, complete a safety briefing and on-water assessment, then paddle independently through Abel Tasman’s Astrolabe region. Camp at Observation Bay or Te Pukatea Bay, visit seal colonies, explore caves and lagoons at high tide, and return by 4pm on day two.

“By far the best experience of our entire holiday. Whitney was a brilliant guide - relaxed, chatty and very knowledgeable on the national park and all the wildlife. Mega cook too! The scenery around the Abel Tasman is incredible. We saw dolphins, seals and sting ray in beautiful clear waters. We absolutely loved the whole experience”

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