Remote Marine Reserve

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.

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.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 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.Paddle south with the breeze, exploring sculptured granite headlands, tranquil lagoons and everything that's special about the heart of the Abel Tasman.Finish at Anchorage and return by water taxi.

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.*Start & finish tide dependent

• 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. 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.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 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.Paddle south with the breeze, exploring sculptured granite headlands, tranquil lagoons and everything that's special about the heart of the Abel Tasman.Finish at Anchorage and return by water taxi. 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.*Start & finish tide dependent

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.

Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Not wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers