The Abel Tasman National Park – New Zealand’s smallest and only coastal National Park – is just 60km from Nelson. The park’s breathtaking beauty is accessible to people of all ages and levels of fitness.
Walking and kayaking are synonymous with the Abel Tasman and there is no shortage of single day and multi day options to explore by foot or kayak, or a combination of both.
So, here are 9 different ways to get a taste of the Abel Tasman:
1. Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) – hire a paddleboard and explore stunning Split Apple Rock or join a guided tour from Marahau through some of the sheltered bays.
2. Water taxi or cruise – see the park from the water as water taxis and shuttle boats cruise to Totaranui and back dropping off and picking up passengers from golden bays along the route. Hop off and spend the afternoon on the beach, or walk to another bay and be picked up later.
3. Canyoning – the adventurous will love exploring the rivers and waterfalls in the interior of the Park. If leaping off cliffs, sliding down water polished chutes and abseiling through thundering waterfalls is your thing then you don’t want to miss this!
4. Sailing – feel like an early explorer and set sail for a leisurely day on the water. Call in at tiny uninhabited bays, go for a dip in the sea and watch the seals at play.
5. Conservation tour – join a full day eco tour with a qualified biologist to discover more about the diversity of flora and fauna of the Abel Tasman National Park.
6. Scenic flight – take to the skies and explore the Abel Tasman from the air – an amazing experience to get a real overview of the coastline and lush interior. Or, free fall from 16,500 feet with Abel Tasman Skydive with a view not just of the Abel Tasman but North Island as well.
7. Seal swim – swim with playful and curious seals at close quarters in the protected marine environment of Tonga Island.
8. Scuba diving – snorkel or dive the reefs of Tonga Island, home to kina, crabs, turban shells and cushion stars. Crayfish and conger eels hide out in caves and crevices, and fish life includes blue cod, snapper, wrasse, tarakihi and moki.
9. Lunch at Awaroa Lodge – hop off the water taxi at Awaroa Lodge for a leisurely lunch at this beautiful eco lodge tucked in the bush. Seasonal vegetables and herbs are grown in the lodge’s organic garden. For a special occasion, fly in and out by helicopter!