Dutch Treat Found at
Abel Tasman National Park New Zealand

Mention NZ sea kayaking tour adventures and the country’s most visited destination comes to mind. Kaiteriteri enjoys a reputation for premiere sea kayaking holidays at Abel Tasman National Park New Zealand.

The park, like its neighboring sea that bears the same namesake, commemorates a Dutch explorer who was first to set eyes upon New Zealand in 1642, and it’s a vacation treat indeed — world renowned for its most protected coastline environment — featuring exceptional wildlife amidst breathtaking, intensely colored scenic paradise.

The town of Kaiteriteri lies on the southern end of Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand and features, top swimming beaches on stretches of golden sands, surfers’ paradise, and stunning vistas and bay coves suited for spectacular sea kayaking adventure.

Only one sea kayak tour company (Kaiteriteri) operates directly off this beach and runs expeditions that range from two hours to five days. A variety of tours offer an opportunity to view fur seals and experience striking beauty in tidal lagoons; beaches, islands, caves, and more.

“Soul Food” is Kaiteriteri’s unique signature trip and the only Abel Tasman tour of its kind that explores remote and untouched regions of park coastline.

While sea kayaking trips top the nature thrills at Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand boat excursions offer sightseeing, bay and beach enjoyment, and the chance to experience Abel Tasman coastal track from Torrent Bay to Marahau for backpackers’ land exploration.

Extended New Zealand cruises are available for those who want to experience everything in the park, including the Tonga Island Marine Reserve seal colony and a walk over forested saddle to Bark Bay.

Vigour Water Taxi fast forward visitors to their chosen destination.

Walkers on a tight schedule can enjoy a one day park walk. Those with more time in their New Zealand vacation can take several days to explore the track. Abel Tasman offers cruises that narrate park history and special features on the way to the bay of your choice.

Huge tidal variations need to be considered when walking the track, allowing foot passage to check out lagoons two hours either side of high tide. Low tidal fluctuations allow passage to and from Awaroa estuary and Onetahuti, two or four hours either side, respectively. There’s no high tide route.

Area accommodations include bay and beachfront lodges or homesteads, or camp right in Abel Tasman National Park, New Zealand in a hut or lodge run by the Department of Conservation.