Big Tonga Marine Reserve Overnighter
Explore Heaps By Kayak and Walking
Day 1 - Kayak
Join us on our full day Big Tonga Marine Reserve Tour. Prepare to be WOW’D by this value for money overnight experience! Starting with an exhilarating Aqua Taxi ride into Tonga Island Marine Reserve and alight at Onetahuti beach, the starting point for your kayak exploration deep into the park. We’ll discover*: Tonga Island Seal Colony, Shag Harbour, Falls River Lagoon, Tonga Arches, and kayak sailing (weather permitting). After a great kiwi picnic and refreshing swim, we’ll paddle on to Anchorage, where you can choose from three accommodation options DOC hut, camp or boat stay.
Learn more about booking and organising your accommodation in the Abel Tasman.
Day 2 - Walk
Sleep in and take a relaxed unguided walk from Anchorage south to the track entrance at Marahau. This leisurely walk is about 4 hours. Or take a detour and explore Cleopatra's Pool (add 2hrs) or historic Pitt Head (add 1 hr). We will transfer you back to Kaiteriteri about 5pm.
We hold a marine mammal permit and can get up to 20 metres away from the seals at Tonga Island.
* winds/tides permitting
- Beautiful Onetahuti beach
- Tonga Island Marine Reserve
- Tonga Arches unique rock formations
- Exploration of Bark Bay
- Pinnacle Island
- Photo opportunities at Falls River lagoon
- Pristine waters of Anchorage and Torrent bays
- Camping, hut and boat accommodation options available
Details
| Trip: | Big Tonga Marine Reserve Overnighter |
|---|---|
| Food: | Lunch included on kayaking day. Please bring 1 breakfast, 1 lunch and 1 dinner, snacks and water |
| Paddling: | Approx 12km. 4½ hours including breaks |
| Walking: | 11 km. 4 hours |
| Sailing: | Up to 30 minutes |
| Aqua Taxi: | 1 Aqua Taxi. Approx 1 hour. During the winter season this trip has no Aqua Taxi component |
| Check-in: | Summer season: 8:30am at Kaiteriteri Base (1st November - 31st March) Winter season:8:30am or 9:00am at Marahau Base (8:30am during April and October or 9:00am from 1st May - 30th September) |
| Briefing: | About 25 mins |
| Duration: | 2 Days |
| Return: | 4:30pm back at base |
| Age Limit: | 14+ |
Open Seasons
This trip is open today. |
|
Open winter 2012 (April 1, 2012 - October 31, 2012). |
Learn more about our seasons at our Open Season page.
Pricing
| Winter 2012 | Adult: $179.00. |
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Big Tonga Marine Reserve Overnighter
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
Get everything organised right now. Just use our online booking process - it's simple.
Region History
Not surprisingly, a local Maori tribe resided at Pitt Head (located just north of Te Pukatea Bay) as it is probably the most formidably defensive Pa (village) site in the Abel Tasman. The headland rises steeply from all sides. Its only access being a very narrow track joining it to the mainland.
Pitt Head also provides one of the best photo viewpoints in the Abel Tasman, looking down over the beautiful Cresent Moon beach of Te Pukatea Bay.
Your Gear
What You Need to Bring
Hat, sunscreen, insect repellant, warm top (wool or fleece), T-shirt, shorts, swimsuit, wind jacket, 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.
We also supply hot chocolate, fresh ground coffee, tea and biscuits and lunch on day one.