Water Activities

The Abel Tasman is the Water Activity

If you're in the Nelson region and you want to get on the water, Abel Tasman is the main event. Sea kayaking is genuinely the best way to see the park. The Classic Marine Reserve guided trip is the one I'd do, ideally timed around a king tide so you get access to the special stuff like the Tonga Arches and Shag Harbour. A Kaiteriteri departure beats Marahau if you have the choice, you'll cover more coastline in less paddling time. There are heaps of operators and most are solid. Use RANKERS and you'll save 10% on kayak tours and boat cruises alike, which is handy when you're booking a few days of this stuff.

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Kahu Kayaks

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4.5 223 reviews

Ultimate Descents New Zealand

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4.5 51 reviews

Golden Bay Kayaks

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4.5 29 reviews

Abel Tasman Kayaks

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4.4 136 reviews

Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle

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4.3 399 reviews

Abel Tasman Sailing Adventures

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4.3 84 reviews

Wilsons Abel Tasman

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4.1 243 reviews

Moana Paddle Nelson

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Timing and Tide Matter More Than You Think

Get on the water early. Every time. The park gets busy with cruises and other kayakers through the middle of the day, and spots like Split Apple Rock are a different thing entirely before 9am or after 4pm. Mid March to mid May is my pick for kayaking, the sea is generally calmer and the seal pups have grown up a bit. If a boat cruise is more your speed, the Full Park cruise over 3.5 hours is the one, especially if you mix in a walk and a beach stop. There's also sailing if that's your vibe, use RANKERS on that too.

Beyond Abel Tasman

Down in Golden Bay, kayaking from Tata Beach up the northern coastline is a quieter and pretty special alternative, with RANKERS getting you 10% off there as well. If river swimming is your thing, Pelorus Bridge is the stop on the drive in, that aqua-coloured water is something else on a hot day. And the salmon fishing at Anatoki in Golden Bay is a fun, low-key detour where you catch your own and they cook it on the spot.