Abel Tasman - 3 Day Trip
Abel Tasman National Park is at the top of the South Island and offers 60km of golden beaches, wildlife spotting and amazing camp grounds. Normally paddled from North to South, to take advantage of being pushed along by the typical afternoon wind. The route below is just one option, but it is worth looking at different campsite options on the DOC website.
Quick Facts
Start - Pōhara beach public car park, 7183
Finish - Mārahau Doc Carpark, 7197
Distance - 17km + 20km + 20km = 57km
Time - 3 Days
Difficulty - Moderate in a kayak, Hard on a SUP
Tides - minimal affect, can be done at any point of the tide although timing the trip with the tide will help. Timing the end of your trip to coincide with high tide will help you avoid a long carry!
Cautions - The wind picks up most afternoons, blowing from the North and can create swell which will make for challenging conditions.
Remember - you must book your campgrounds in advance. These get very busy in the Summer months so book at least a couple of weeks in advance.
Key Planning Information
Wind
Swell
Day One - Pōhara to Anapai Bay - 17km
There is parking at Pōhara beach, where you start this trip. You could also start at the Top 10 campsite at Pōhara if you chose to do the shuttle the day before and stayed the night.
The trip starts out by paddling around the small harbour and sheltered bays on the Western side of Abel Tasman National Park. Just after the harbour, you'll pass the Abel Tasman Monument high on the cliffs. Soon you will get to Tata beach, an alternative start if you want shorter first day - useful if you do your shuttle on day one. Park at the public jetty. As you paddle away from Tata beach you will pass between rocky islands and the headland. These islands, along with the rocky coastline, have plenty of caves, inlets and archways to explore.
Soon you'll come round the corner to see the expanse of Wainui Bay. Watch out for the mussel farm operation at the start of the bay. The far end of Wainui Bay is roughly the half way point of the trip and makes for a good place to stop for lunch, although if the forecast is for the winds to be strong in the afternoon you may want to push on to get around Separation Point first - this is the most exposed point which can have considerable chop. Avoid the peak of the flood tide with high winds to miss the biggest swell.
After getting around separation point you can enjoy exploring the many coves and rock formations, which often have seals playing amongst them. The second bay is Anapai Bay, a remote DOC campground which has a composting toilet.
Day 2 - Anapai Bay to Mosquito Bay - 20km
Day two starts off with a rocky cliff to explore for the first couple of km, before you reach the long sandy beach of Tōtaranui. The trip is likely to get busier from here with other paddlers. The water taxis often drop people off here for them to paddle back to the end. It is worth putting the number of a water taxi into your phone so that you have the option of calling if you need to end your trip early. Its worth noting that the last trip back to Mārahau is usually early afternoon, and water taxis do not go further North than Tōtaranui.
From Tōtaranui you will follow the coast line passing several sheltered bays, until you reach Awaroa Bay. This is the last bay before heading out into the more open sea again, as you paddle around Awaroa Head. This can make Awaroa Bay a good place for lunch. For a mid expedition treat, follow the footpath leading up the ramp and then away from the beach. After a few hundred metres you will come to Awaroa Lodge, and just further on is Awaroa cafe - here you can get good coffee and freshly made pizza!
After Awaroa Head you'll be back into the more exposed sea, with the potential for a following swell as the afternoon wind builds. There are lots of interesting bays and inlets to explore. If you get to Shag Harbour at high tide, or two hours either side, it is worth paddling into the bay. This is a great spot to see seals and rays! It is a breeding ground for both of these.
Beyond Shag Harbour is another 1.5km of open sea before making it around the headland to Tonga Bay. This will offer a little more shelter and opportunity to explore the Tonga Arches, or you may choose to cut the corner and go directly across the bay skirting past Tonga Island. At the end of this bay is Foul Point. Follow the rocky coastline around into Mosquito Bay. You'll know you're here as there is a small island defending the entrance. Here you'll find another good DOC campground. This one is only accessible by boat so you'll avoid the masses doing the Abel Tasman Great Walk. Make sure you've got your bug spray at the ready though!
Day 3 - 20km - Mosquito Bay to Mārahau
The last day sees you paddling along more stunning coastline with golden sand beaches and river inlets to explore. As you depart Mosquito Bay, follow the coastline around into Bark Bay. On the Northern Side of the bay you'll find a water pipe floating on the surfaceattached to a buoy. Pull it out of the water and you'll find fresh drinking water flowing out!
As you set off South, the first two main bays after Bark Bay are Sandfly Bay and then Frenchman Bay. Both of these have rivers / inlets which are worth exploring, if you have time and the tide is right. If you paddle far enough up Sandfly Bay you'll come to a Bridge above you, where you'll see walkers on the Great walk.
Beyond here you will come to large sheltered Torrent Bay. You could add on the walk from Anchorage Bay Campground to Cleopatras Pool. This would make for a very long day, or you could add on an extra night camping here.
After Torrent Bay you paddle around Pitt Head, another exposed headland with rocky outcrops to explore. As you get past Te Karetu Point, you'll see a series of golden beaches which make an excellent place to have your lunch.
Finally you'll come to Sandy Bay, where you'll see Mārahau. Today is the only day where the tide can really affect you - if possible, time your day to finish as close to high tide as possible. Arriving at low tide will mean you'll have around 500 metres of sand to carry your boats across. If you know you're going to arrive at low tide, consider organising your trip to finish at Kaiteriteri - the extra 4km of paddling is much more enjoyable then the portage.