Beaches & Seals
The total Abel Tasman experience in just one day
A combination tour of our morning half day Split Apple Classic trip, followed by a scenic Aqua Taxi ride and 1½ hour walk.
A relaxing half day paddle with a Aqua Taxi ride into the heart of the Abel Tasman. Walk along a stretch of the famous coastal track. Take a long scenic water taxi ride. This is an all inclusive - kayaking, Aqua Taxi, transport and transfers.
After the morning kayak tour board the Aqua Taxi at 12:00pm. See the seals at Tonga Island before a 1.5 hour walk from Onetahuti to Bark Bay. Catch the 3:45pm Aqua Taxi to return to Kaiteriteri by 4:30pm.
- A total Abel Tasman experience in just one day
- Easy going paddling and walking. Suits any age and fitness
- No experience needed
- Paddle to the awesome Split Apple Rock
- Guaranteed NZ fur seal encounters on the Aqua Taxi
Details
| Trip: | Beaches & Seals |
|---|---|
| Food: | Self catered or choose our packed lunch (add $13) |
| Paddling: | Around 5 kms and approx 3hrs (including breaks) |
| Walking: | 1.5 hours. From Onetahuti to Bark Bay. Leaves plenty of time for relaxing on a beach. |
| Sailing: | As conditions allow |
| Aqua Taxi: | Two Aqua Taxxis. 12noon - 1:15pm and 3:45pm - 4:30pm |
| Check-in: | 8:30am at Kaiteriteri base |
| Briefing: | About 25 mins |
| Duration: | 8:30am - 4:30pm |
| Return: | 4:30pm back at base |
| Age Limit: | 8+ |
Pricing
All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include sales tax (GST).
Book This Trip
Phone Booking
Still the most efficient way to book your kayak trip. It's nice to actually discuss your options with a real person and get the latest info too. All you need to do is give us a call on 0800 2 KAYAK (0800 252 925), +64 3 527 8383 (international) or email .
Online Booking
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Trip Itinerary
The day starts with a half day guided kayak trip to Split Apple rock. The kayaking finishes just before 12noon. For full details please refer to Split Apple Classic itinerary.
After the kayaking, board the 12noon Aqua Taxi for a one hour 15 minute scenic ride up through the heart of the Abel Tasman. At low tide there are over 50 beaches between Kaiteriteri and Onetahuti beach and you will see most of them. Pass around the Tonga Island seal colony before arriving at Ontetahuti by 1:15pm.
The walk suits any fitness level and being 1 ½ hours isn't too long for children. Tonga quarry beach is 20 minutes walk from Onetahuti and is well worth a stop - you have plenty of time. After another reasonably leisurely hour walk you arrive at Bark Bay where your Aqua Taxi meets you at 3:45pm. Return to Kaiteriteri 4:30pm.
Please note: This itinerary is an outline only. Your guide may decide to vary this program based on their judgement of weather and sea conditions and client ability/fitness levels.
Flora and Fauna
After kayaking (see kayaking flora & fauna) the water taxi ride gives opportunity for dolphin and penguin sightings. If we ever come across a pod of dolphins we always stop and spend time with them. Once in the marine reserve, we circumnavigate Tonga Island the permanent home for a colony of N.Z fur seals.
The coastal track winds its way through established native beech forests with some areas of more open regenerating bush. Look for the 'Rangiora' plant, also known as the bushmans friend due to its very large, toilet paper textured leaves…….sometimes handy!! Flowering plants and bright leaf colourings change with the seasons and there is always something of note to look at along this trail.
Region History
The Hadfields Family, 1000 acres, farming. They felled trees and floated them out to barges waiting in the Awaroa Lagoon. The land here was pretty tough for farming though. The Gibbs of Totaranui were another pioneer family. Mr Gibbs was the MP for Golden Bay, They had 1000 acres and a license to farm a further 6000 acres from Totaranui to Awaroa River.It must be an achievement that his farm proved almost self- sufficient, the only additional needs were flour and sugar, which were brought over in 70 pound bags.
Awaroa had a school. It was built in 1890, and continued until 1931. Pupil numbers dwindled…then it closed. Hamish, you call that story,‘RICH?’… "Built, continued, closed?" There has to be more to life than that!
OK John, try this: Totaranui was the anchoring place for three minesweepers in 1919, commissioned to remove mines from the Farewell Spit region after World War One. Hey, what’s that spiky steel ball, bobbin’ around over there?…No John, don’t touch the spiiiiiii…
SORRY, MATE!
THE END!…Until another time… We’re signing off Kaiteriteri Kayaks Story-line!
Your Gear
What You Need to Bring
Hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, warm top (wool or fleece), T-shirt, shorts, swimsuit, wind jacket, walking shoes/sandals, camera, change of clothes and water, additional snack food (for those of you that get hungry through the day).
What We Supply
We supply: top quality kayak, life jackets, paddles, spray skirts, dry bags for cameras, detailed maps, safety briefing and guide.
Map
