Like any outdoor environment the Abel Tasman National Park requires respect in many ways.  Respectfor its natural environment, respect for its ability to give you blue skys along with wind andrain, respect in the oceans ability to be calm and serene or stormy and dangerous. It might sound alittle dramatic but really its quite simple.  If you come here adequately prepared, you will have afantastic experience in our amazing place.  Have a read through the following information, packyour bags and get ready for a wonderful trip.

 

Safety Training At the start of every MSK trip we give you an introduction to kayaking and how to make the best of your trip with us. Its called a safety briefing and it takes about 30 minutes for guided tours and a little longer for freedom rentals. It includes setting up your kayaks so that you have maximum comfort when paddling, teaching you the correct techniques for paddling, weather information and for rental clients a map briefing showing you all the points of interest along the coastline. This safety session is a really important to ensure your safety and enjoyment throughout the trip.

MSK Equipment We pride ourselves in providing you with the latest, specialised sea kayaking equipment to ensure your safety and comfort throughout your Abel Tasman experience. Kayaks:     Unless you are very experienced kayakers we always use two-person kayaks on our guided trips and freedom rentals.  Why?  Double kayaks are far better suited to our sea conditions here.  They are more stable, faster and have much bigger storage capacity for your equipment and as such give you a far more enjoyable experience.  Single kayaks are provided for groups with uneven numbers. All clients are equipped with purpose designed sea kayaking apparel and safety equipment including: Bouyancy Jackets, Spray Decks, Splash Jackets, Waterproof Maps, Waterproof Camera Bags, Bailing Pumps, Emergency Flares. Wetsuits, Booties, Thermals, Gloves and Hats during winter months

                  Dobbe Double            QK Penguin        Paddling Perfection Sea Bear
                        Plastic                 Plastic Single             Fibreglass Double
                    1-3 Day Kayak                                                   4+ Day Kayak
                 190 litres storage                                             380 Litres Storage
              

What should you Bring?

When packing remember that you are going into the outdoors.  Pack smartly so that you can fiteverything into the kayak storage space.


Food, Water and Cooking Equipment

Guided Tours On our guided day trips all you need to bring is a water bottle.  We provide lunch and snacksthrough the day along with hot and cold refreshments

Parklife Tours On Parklife trips the first day is spent with a guide.  This includes lunch and snacks for the daythrough until about 3.30pm. For the remainder of you trip you need your own food and refreshmentsalong with any cooking equipment and utensils required.

Freedom Rentals are un-catered.  You need to bring all food and refreshments with you along with cooking equipmentand utensils.
Remember that you are going into the outdoors.  Pack sensible food that will last, dry food such aspasta rice provide good energy and are easy to prepare on small gas stoves.

Water in the campsites is often unsuitable for drink without boiling, filtering or purifying it first. On guided tours we carry additional drinking water in the kayaks.  Freedom rental clients shouldaim to have 4 litres of water with you when departing from our base. Filtered drinking water issupplied at Anchorage, Bark Bay, Awaroa and Whariwharangi campsites for refilling during yourtrip. 


Clothes and Personal Items  

Clothing   Shorts, T-Shirt, Sandals/Shoes, Hat, Towel, Swimwear, Warm change of clothes for the evening andcold days (Woolen), Socks and Raincoat for overnight trips.

Sun Protection   Sunscreen, Sunglasses, Sun Hat,

Other  Personal medication, Insect Repellant, Waterbottle, Camera, Playing Cards (for overnight tours)


Camping Equipment

For freedom rentals and parklife guided / freedom tours your own camping equipment throughout thetrip. Tent, Sleeping Bag, Sleeping Mat, Gas Cooker, Pot, Plates and Utensils, Torch for the evening(headlamps ideally).  If you do not have any of these then we have a full range of campingequipment available for hire through the Abel Tasman Centre .

Item	Hire price per night
Two Person Tent	$10
Sleeping Bag with liner	$10
Hiking Pack	$10
Cooking Stove	$5	plus $7 to purchase the gas
Camping Pot	$5
One Person Cooking Set *	$18 1st night	$10 per extra night
Two Person Cooking Set *	$22 1st night	$12 per extra night
Sleeping Mat	$4

Accomodation

You must pre-book all accommodation before you enter the park. We offer Abel Tasman campsite andhut booking services free to all of our kayaking clients. Campsites are $12 per night and huts are$25 per night.  if you are going to make your own bookings we ask that you contact us first toensure your distances and trip plan is acheiveable.  On the DOC web site you can find full information on the facilities, availability and make bookings for allcampsites and huts.

Alternatively Aqua Packers is a floating backpackers anchored at Anchorage Bay. Meals and linen are included with the stayand is a great option for those who don’t want to carry everything! You can literally do a 2 daytour with nothing more than a change of clothes, second day lunch and a drink bottle.

Awaroa Lodge at Awaroa Bay is a 4+ star lodge and restaurant. This is an option for kayakers continuing onwalking north on the multiday kayak and walk tours such as Freedom Totaranui and ParklifeTotaranui. Advaance booking is a must.

Transport We run a daily return bus from Nelson (through Motueka) to Marahau each day.  It takes the hassle out of travel for you and gives you door to door service from your accommodation.  Cost: Nelson - Marahau Return      $20 per person          Motueka - Marahau Return   $10 per person Its a big orange bus and you can't miss it!