15 Boat Tours in Abel Tasman That Repay the Detour

1.Abel Tasman National Full Park Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 855 reviews · 3 hours · from $59Our pick

Set out from Kaiteriteri on a 3 to 4-hour full-park cruise with Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles. Stay aboard as the boat passes Split Apple Rock, Tonga Quarry, Anchorage, Awaroa, Totaranui, golden beaches, and seal colonies. English commentary explains the park and its wildlife. Drinks and snacks are available onboard, but there are no beach stops.

“Excellent cruise, friendly and informative crew, beautiful scenery helped by blue skies and sun!”

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2.Abel Tasman: Sea Shuttle Cruise and Walking Tour Combo

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 704 reviews · 1 day · from $74

Cruise the Abel Tasman coast with English commentary, pass Split Apple Rock and Adele Island’s fur seals, then choose a self-guided walk through beaches and native forest. Options range from 7 to 10.5 km, with pick-ups timed from Anchorage or Medlands. Captain Will and other friendly crew members help keep the day on track.

“Location is beautiful. Cruise was very nice. Boat was on time. Well communicated. Fair pricing compared to locally available options.”

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3.Abel Tasman Vista Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 414 reviews · from $67

Cruise north from Kaiteriteri with views of Split Apple Rock, Tonga Island Marine Reserve, forested headlands, and quiet bays. Choose to remain aboard or add a 1, 2, or 4-hour beach stop and walk along the Abel Tasman Coast Track, subject to availability. Live commentary, national park fees, and round-trip service are included.

“The vendor's description of this "excursion" on Viator is egregiously misleading. This isn't a nature cruise with live narration. It is quite literally a water taxi that shuttles hikers to different parts of the park. Neither was there any "live" comRead more”

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4.The Family Cruiser

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 244 reviews · from $68Top rated

Meet Kahu Kayaks in Marahau at 8:30 am for a roughly three-hour sea-kayaking trip along the Abel Tasman coast. Your guide leads a group of no more than eight to Split Apple Rock, sea caves, and nesting cormorants. All kayak and safety gear is provided. Brad is one guide praised for making the outing enjoyable for adults and children.

“Absolutely worth doing. Adults and kids vote as fav thing on our whole trip. Brad was a wonderful guide.”

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5.Abel Tasman National Park: Sailing and Self-Guided Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 238 reviews · 8 hours · from $80

Start with a skippered catamaran sail from Kaiteriteri, passing Split Apple Rock, golden bays, islands, and New Zealand fur seals. After lunch and a swim at Anchorage Bay, follow the marked coastal track back to Marahau for 3.5 to 4 hours. Guides such as Inky, Claudia, Nick, and Frank provide local nature and park insight.

“Perfect combination, small group and a very authentic skipper. We got a lot of information and enjoyed the time on the water. The track was easy to walk and surprised with nice beaches for swimming 😃”

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6.Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Walk & Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 100 reviews · 6 hours · from $122

Start at Kaiteriteri, cruise by water taxi to Anchorage Bay, walk the Pitt Head loop to Te Pukatea Bay, then sail the coast aboard a yacht or catamaran. Guides such as Inky, Claudia, Frank, Angela, Nik, and Nick have led trips with swimming, seal spotting, local stories, and chances to help sail. Lunch is optional.

“Good and varied day out with very friendly guides and fellow tourers. We enjoyed the long walk at Anchorage Bay and the sailing on the catamaran, Power of Two.”

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7.Abel Tasman National Park: Day Sailing Adventure with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 84 reviews · from $158

Sail from Kaiteriteri into Abel Tasman National Park aboard a comfortable catamaran with an English-speaking skipper. You can relax, help sail, or learn as you go. See Split Apple Rock, fur seals, islands, and native birds, then spend an hour at Anchorage Beach with lunch, swimming, or a short walk.

“Beautiful ship with friendly crew. The views were mind blowing. The lunch is below average but everything else was great.”

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8.Full-Day Abel Tasman National Park Hiking Tour with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · from $371

Travel from Nelson to Kaiteriteri, cruise into Abel Tasman National Park, then hike forest trails and golden beaches with a guide such as Al, Lucy, Angelika, or Zane. Expect a small group of up to six, lunch, snacks, hotel pickup, and a return water-taxi ride from Anchorage.

“This was even better than we expected it to be! Angelika, our guide, was great - she told us everything we wanted to know about local flora and fauna, made sure everyone was able to keep up and kept us well-fed and hydrated throughout the day. Also, her picking us up in town was really convenient, as we were travelling by bus and train, and getting to Kaiteriteri and beyond would have been impossible otherwise. Would definitely recommend this tour to others hoping to explore Abel Tasman, one of the most beautiful parts of NZ - which is saying something :)”

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9.Full-Day Sailing Adventure in the Abel Tasman National Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 78 reviews · from $167

Spend about 7.5 hours sailing from Kaiteriteri through Abel Tasman National Park. See Split Apple Rock, fur seals at Adele Island, native birds, golden beaches, and Anchorage Bay. The trip includes lunch, hot drinks, light refreshments, a forest walk, swimming time, and commentary from the crew.

“Excellent crew. Emphasis on relax & enjoy. Talks were short but they knew the stuff and would answer if asked. Great boat not too crowded. I did get sea sick. But they made me comfortable and let me sleep it off.”

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10.Sail, Seals, and Walk Tour in Abel Tasman

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · from $82

Spend about seven hours seeing Abel Tasman by sea and on foot. A skipper takes you by catamaran from Kaiteriteri past Fisherman Island, Adele Island, Split Apple Rock, seals, coves, and beaches, then leaves you at Anchorage Bay for a self-guided 3.5 to 4-hour walk to Marahau. Shuttle transfers and coffee or tea are included.

“Very great experience! Very amazing tour. We went to post beautifull cost and the Walk back from Anchorage beach to Mārahau was amazing to.”

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11.Abel Tasman National Park: Self-Guided Walk & Sailing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 30 reviews · 6 hours · from $88

Walk independently from Marahau to Anchorage through native forest and along golden beaches, then meet your skipper at 1:15 pm for a three-hour sail to Kaiteriteri. Tea, coffee, onboard toilets, and a free return transfer to Marahau are included. Bring lunch, water, warm layers, and sun protection.

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12.Cruise, Walk, and Sail in Abel Tasman National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · from $127

Start at Kaiteriteri with a water-taxi ride past Split Apple Rock and fur-seal colonies. Walk the Pitt Head loop at Anchorage Bay, then sail back on a catamaran through coves, islands, and golden beaches. Allow six hours, bring food and water, and plan your own transport to Kaiteriteri.

“The walk is way more strenuous than they advertise . Not leisurely at all! Mostly uphill but beautiful scenery.”

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13.Anchorage Walk and Sail

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 10 reviews · from $91

Walk unguided from Marahau to Anchorage Bay through native forest, then meet your skipper at 1:15 pm for a three-hour catamaran sail to Kaiteriteri. You’ll see beaches, bays, islands, birds, and marine life, with tea or coffee included and a free transfer back to Marahau.

“Catamaran and tripulation were fine. But too many people onboard and walking around, so not much options where to sit/stay. Trip itself was quite boring. A bit of music or any kind of animation would improve the experience.”

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14.Abel Tasman National Park: Cruise, Kayak, & Hike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 9h 30m · from $417

Spend a full day in Abel Tasman National Park, cruising from Kaiteriteri past Split Apple Rock, kayaking along the Adele Island coast, and hiking to Anchorage. Local guides such as Alan, Carter, Jeremy, and Lucy lead small or private groups, with lunch, gear, refreshments, and Nelson pickup included.

“Wir hatten das Glück alleine mit Alan unterwegs zu sein. Mit seiner wundervolle, lockeren, humorvollen und lebensfroher Art hat er uns empfangen und durch den Tag begleitet. Danke auch an Carter für die super geführte Kayaktour mit Kayaksailing. Ein unvergesslicher Tag mit tollen Eindrücken, leckerem Lunch, tollen Menschen und wunderbarer Tiersichtung in der schönen Natur !”

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15.Abel Tasman Cruise-Fly Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 7 reviews · 8 hours · from $417

Travel from Nelson by shuttle, boat, and small aircraft on an eight-hour Golden Bay and Abel Tasman tour. You’ll cruise from Kaiteriteri to Tōtaranui, enjoy a picnic on the beach, walk to Te Waikoropupū Springs, then fly back to Nelson with pilot commentary. The group is limited to seven, and aircraft weight limits apply.

“jam packed activity packed day. everything went like clockwork!”

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