Our best one day kayak trip using the tide to explore the best of the park on any given day.

Join us on our Remote Marine Reserve tour. This is a stunning trip where we have tailored our start and finish points around the tide timetable, it means on any given departure we offer the best part of the park to explore the marine reserve to the fullest.The park's rocky coastline is a haven for a myriad of marine life and is always a fascinating place to explore. Abel Tasman Kayaks is one of only three operators authorised to undertake marine mammal viewing from sea kayaks at Tonga. 

Start Awaroa/Finish Bark Bay

Starting at Awaroa, courtesy of our water taxi transfer, we visit Shag Harbour*, a hidden inlet like nowhere else in the Abel Tasman. We then paddle south, focusing on the Tonga Island Marine Reserve and its playful inhabitants - the NZ fur seal, Kekeno. After a picnic lunch on one of the beautiful beaches we'll visit Tonga Arches, exploring south along the carved granite coastline through to the tranquil lagoons and golden sand of the 'heart of the park' to Bark Bay.

Start Onetahuti/Finish Anchorage

Paddle from Onetahuti out to Tonga Island where you'll have your first encounters with New Zealand fur Seals, Kekeno.  Paddle south with the breeze, exploring sculptured granite headlands, tranquil lagoons and everything that's special about the heart of the Abel Tasman. Check out the beach you stop for lunch at! Finish at Anchorage and return to Marahau by water taxi.

Paddling is our business, with all activities supported by our purpose-built kayak base, free hot showers, free wifi, free equipment storage & client transporters. We also provide high-quality soft gear - fitted for each client by our guides and high-quality hard gear – customised for comfort for each client.

On this trip covering the Tonga Island Marine Reserve coastline you have a professional guide with you for around 8 hours sharing their knowledge and passion of the Abel Tasman. We also cater a snack and lunch designed around your health and energy.

Every trip is unique like each of our clients.

*Start & finish tide dependent