Operating in the remote northern end of Abel Tasman National Park means we get to paddle in uncrowded waters, avoiding the masses further south in the park. It also means booking a trip with us needs some planning. Our Half Day Classic Sea Kayak tours start and end at Awaroa Beach, with 9 am and 1:30 pm standard start times. We try to work with you to be flexible and work around your plans where possible. Here are the main ways our guests tend to come on our half-day guided kayak tours.

Awaroa Lodge offers comfortable accommodation with a selection of room styles and seasonal rates. Nestled in regenerating native kanuka forest just 300 m from Awaroa Beach, the lodge is an ideal spot to base yourself for an Abel Tasman adventure, with a touch of class. The on-site restaurant, cafe, and alfresco pizzeria/beer garden are amazing options to finish off your day on the water. We base ourselves on the lodge property and start our trips on the beachfront accessed through the lodge property. Staying two nights at Awaroa Lodge makes for a nice relaxed time frame with plenty of time for kayaking, walking, stand-up paddleboarding and enjoying the day spa. The lodge is accessed by boat, walking, or air – there is no road access to Awaroa Lodge.

Awaroa Glamping is a family-owned business offering glamping tents, cabins, an outdoor pizza oven, and WiFi. Accessing our trips from the glamping site is easy – just walk down the grassy airstrip and through Awaroa Lodge to the main beach access. Mike and Birgit who run Awaroa Glamping are more than happy to point you in the right direction.

We occasionally take guests staying at the Department of Conservation campsite or hut, and local AirBnBs on the other side of Awaroa Inlet. To get from these accommodation providers to our launch spot you have about 4 hours before and after low tide to easily make the trip without getting too wet. We usually find a way to make this work and are happy to double-check that the tide timings will work out before you book a trip.

A half-day paddle combined with some relaxed beach time is a great way to compliment walking the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, one of New Zealand’s ‘Great Walks’. Give the legs a rest, see the coastline from a different angle and learn about the rich natural and cultural history of the area. We often take groups walking the track who stay at nearby campsites (Onetahuti, Awaroa, Waiharakeke) or a local accommodation provider. In summer we offer morning and afternoon trips, so we usually find a time that works for walkers to join us on the water. Send us a message and we’ll check that you’ll have time to make it to our departure point on time and make it to your next campsite following the trip.

Just want to come in for the day and see what we have to offer up here? We can occasionally make this work, but you’ll have to book well in advance. Our trips usually start at 9 am, and the first water taxis arrive in Awaroa at 10:30 am. Where possible we will delay our start time to cater for those wishing to arrive by water taxi and paddle for the day.

Flying in on a small plane or helicopter is possible with the nearby Awaroa airstrip and helipad at Awaroa Lodge. Seeing the park from above before getting amongst it at sea level will be a truly outstanding experience. Contact us if you like the sound of this and we can help refer you to a local operator.

The Abel Tasman National Park is famous for long sunshine hours and warm sea temperatures, but we are always prepared for changing conditions on the open ocean. We recommend bringing a thermal top and bottom base layer in case the day is cool, however, we tend to find people are usually comfortable in shorts and t-shirts. A warm fleece or wool layer for the top half is useful and can be stored in water-tight hatches if we don’t need them. Sun glasses, hats, water bottles, and cameras are all must-haves. We supply all paddling equipment, including waterproof ‘dry bags’ to store valuables and cameras. Excess luggage and packs/boots can be locked at our base during the trip.

There is no experience level required to participate in a guided sea kayak trip with us. We provide a safety briefing with a qualified guide and ongoing instruction throughout the trip where necessary. We have taken guests on their first-ever sea kayaking experience, as well as seasoned coast-to-coast athletes. Nobody comes to the Abel Tasman to race, and we find that everybody settles into a nice relaxed rhythm and enjoys their experience on the water. 

We ask that you let us know of any health concerns that may affect your ability to participate safely in our trips (old injuries, seasickness, asthma, poor fitness, etc.) as we need to manage these risks and take all factors into account when planning for safety. Our kayaks and paddling equipment fit a wide range of people, but please let us know if you are concerned about fitting our gear or equipment. 

The minimum age to come on a guided sea kayak trip with us is 12 years. For families with younger children, we can occasionally offer ‘private family’ style tours, where there is no chance of younger kids having a breakdown and spoiling other holiday makers’ experience halfway through the trip. Contact us for information on pricing and details on private trips. The minimum age for paddleboard rentals is 8 years (with accompanying adults).

We like speaking with our guests prior to confirming bookings (we’re small enough to still do this). That way we make sure you can make it on time and have everything planned for success before the day we paddle. Send us a contact form or email through the Contact Page. 

Payment can be made on-site at Awaroa Lodge on the day of the trip (credit, EFTPOS, cash) or we can invoice directly if you wish to settle payment in advance.

 Sea kayaking is considered an adventure activity under New Zealand health and safety law. Awaroa Sea Kayaks requires all participants to be made aware of the risks involved in the activity prior to booking confirmation.

Significant risks associated with sea kayaking

Risks to human health arising from open ocean sea kayaking include drowning, hypothermia, sea sickness, exhaustion, muscle soreness and stiffness (during and after the activity), sunburn, psychological trauma and contact injuries. We strive to manage these risks by using appropriate equipment for the environment, choosing the location of the activity based on safety with regard to environmental conditions (weather, sea state and tidal conditions), cancelling trips when environmental conditions are unsafe for the participants and staff, and having suitably experienced people leading trips. 

Risk to personal belongings include losing equipment (dropping cameras, sunglasses, phones, keys etc.) and getting personal items wet. We provide dry bags and instruction on how to look after equipment, but cannot guarantee the safety of personal items. 

By booking a sea kayak trip you acknowledge there is a risk to human health and personal belongings. 

Fitness and medical conditions

Our sea kayak trips require the ability to sit in a kayak for up to 1.5 hours while undertaking continuous moderate exercise. Participants should be active and in good health. We operate in remote conditions and serious medical events on or off the water will be difficult to remedy in a timely manner. We require all participants to disclose medical conditions before confirming a booking. Examples of medical conditions relevant to sea kayaking include susceptibility to motion sickness, diabetes, heart conditions, allergies, muscle injuries and asthma. 

All participants consent to Awaroa Sea Kayaks staff administering first aid when necessary and confirm that they are physically fit, have disclosed medical conditions and are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 

Conditions of participating

All participants will listen to and follow instructions from Awaroa Sea Kayaks staff at all times. If participants are acting recklessly or not following the instructions of the trip leader, they will be removed from the trip with no refund. Personal protective equipment provided will be worn at all times when instructed to do so. This includes the use of personal flotation devices and spray skirts at all times on the water. 

You will be asked to sign a copy of this statement when meeting your guide at the start of the trip. This statement should be read by all participants in your group prior to confirming a booking. Under 18 year olds will be signed for on behalf of an adult member of their group. 

Our cancellation policy is that if the guide cancels the trip due to weather or safety concerns, you will not be charged anything (or fully refunded). If you decide to cancel your trip 5 days or more prior to your trip, we will charge no cancellation fee. Cancellations made within 5 days of your trip incur a 50% fee, and cancellations on the day or no-shows will be charged the full trip price.