Abel Tasman is a New ZealandNational Park located just outside of Nelson on the North Coast of South Island. With its golden beaches and clear calm blue seas its the perfect place for sea kayaking so at Easter 2005 a group of four intrepid GAP year students set out with Abel Tasman Kayaks to explore the park.
Fortunately the weather was good, because although the company run thorugh winter, I think good weather makes the whole experience a lot more enjoyable.
Being short on time we undertook a guided day trip - Beaches and Islands - which cost $99 per person. This includes: A kayak trip, a water taxi from Marahau to Anchorage and back, a substantial lunch and a guided bush walk should you so desire.
The groups are relatively small - about 12 people, or 6 double kayaks and the first part of the morning is meeting your group and getting kitted out. You meet at Marahau and for those of you who drive there is ample parking, there is also a water taxi from nearby Motueka for $14 and a bus from Nelson. The day starts early, at 8 am we were getting ourselves checked in.
Your daypack is stored in a compartment on the kayak but you are provided with a waterproof box to put your camera in. This straps to the top of your kayak for easy access, essential with the stunning views. You are also provided with your lunch, a life jacket, a splash jacket and should you require them, deck shoes.
A water taxi takes you out to Anchorage Bay where you learn the basics of kayaking before heading out of the bay to some nearby rocks. Beginners are well catered for and the group stay together so there is no need to worry about your lack of skills.
There are also frequent stops: we stopped firstly at some rocks to watch the seals and sea birds. Then we kayaked up the coast and stopped at a lovely lagoon for lunch.
The lunch was fantastic, sandwiches, fruit, biscuit, pasta salad and trail mix appeared out of the paper bag and disappeared down our throats. All the foods were organic and prepared locally. Our guide also cooked up fresh green lipped mussels which were amazing! Lunch is a good time to quiz your guide on the park as they are all very knowledgeable.
They are also quite good fun and after lunch looked on in bemusement as his youngest kayakers proceeded to chase each other up and down in kayaks splashing each other with their paddles....
After lunch you begin the trip back to Anchorage stopping off at lagoons and inlets on the way to have a little look-see and try slightly more challenging kayaking.
If the wind is set fair - it wasn't really when we tried this - the kayaks raft up and hoist a sail to cruise back into Anchorage under the power of the wind. Or in our case, to look ridiculous with red cloth for a while and giggling a lot.
After a break for swimming and cake at Anchorage your guide will lead the willing of you on a bush walk. I'd definately advise tagging along, you learn a lot about the bush from your guide but best of all, the trail we went on led up the hill to a peak from where you can look out over the park... a photo opportunity not to be missed.
Then its back down the track to catch a water taxi back to Marahau. We arrived back after 5pm so it was definately a very full day but absolutely worth it for amazing views and a very rewarding trip....
I'd definately recommend this to beginners and kayakers alike, the views are stunning and experiencing Abel Tasman is something not to be missed.
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