The Best Abel Tasman Day Trip

Explore the Abel Tasman, snorkel in the marine reserve, walk in native bush, swim, relax on board

Enjoy A Bush Walk

On Your Abel Tasman Day Trip

Take Time Out

Explore The Abel Tasman

Kayak Along The Abel Tasman Coast

Enjoy one of our kayaks

Walk Along Abel Tasman's Golden Beaches

Enjoy a walk along part of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks

We're Number 1 For Abel Tasman Day Trips On Trip Advisor

Get The Most Out Of Your Day In The Abel Tasman. Cruise, kayak, swim, bird watch, photograph wildlife & scenery, snorkel, walk, eat, relax... Enjoy a variety of Abel Tasman activities on this personalised small group scenic cruise.

Get a taste of all the Abel Tasman has to offer from the comfort of an Abel Tasman Charters' boat. You can just stay on board and relax or take one of the kayaks for a paddle. Go for a swim, snorkel over the marine reserve or be dropped off for a bush walk. Enjoy a delicious lunch and then do it all again. Enjoy the 'Best Abel Tasman Day Trip' with us! .


  • Cruise
  • Kayak
  • Swim
  • Walk
  • Relax


What Makes Us Unique/Different?

✔ Friendly, experienced skippers as your guide. ✔ Small groups. ✔ Onboard bathroom facilities.
✔ Complimentary kayaks/snorkels. ✔ Complimentary food and drinks.

So book your Abel Tasman experience now

The Best Abel Tasman Day Trip.

If you only have one day in the Abel Tasman, why choose what to do? Do it all on Abel Tasman Charters' Best Day Trip.

Cruise, swim, kayak, bush walk, learn about the environment and ecology of the Abel Tasman.

Click below to explore the Abel Tasman in an immersive 360 degree video.

Explore Abel Tasman Charters

A Day With Us In The Abel Tasman

See Split Apple Rock on your Abel Tasman cruise

Day Trip Itinerary

Join our scenic cruise for the most special day trip, exploring along the Abel Tasman National Park's coastline; passed Split Apple Rock, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, round golden sandy bays, Adele and Fishermans Islands, and on to Tonga Island seal colony.

After boarding your boat at Stephens Bay, we cruise around the headland to Split Apple Rock, taking our time to enable you to get the best views and photo's. Here you may see several shags drying their wings above the warm rocks after their early morning fishing.

Our cruise itinerary is flexible, and your friendly, knowledgeable skipper will ensure you are able to learn about the Abel Tasman.

If there is something to see on your day trip, like dolphins riding the bow wave or New Zealand fur seals fishing, then we'll go and take a look.

Similarly if there's an Abel Tasman National Park feature you want to see, then please do let the skipper know and s/he'll try to accommodate your wishes.

Cruise to the Tonga Island Marine Reserve where you will see New Zealand fur seals basking in the sun.

After we've said goodbye to the seals we find a sheltered bay for a light lunch. You can swim, sea kayak, go ashore for a bush walk, or just relax on board while we prepare your lunch.

We have plenty of snorkeling equipment if you are keen to work up an appetite, and sea kayaks on board for your enjoyment.

We provide a delicious platter style lunch with fresh local ingredients. If you have any special dietary requirements (like food allergies) please let us know in advance.

We aim to show you the beauty of New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park and the Tonga Island Marine Reserve in a relaxed, uncrowded and unhurried day with us.

The opportunity to walk through one of the most diverse coastal bush tracks on the Pitt Head Nature Loop.

Approximately 1 hr allows stunning views of Te Pukatea Bay, pass an historic Maori Pah Site and through New Zealand Forest.

Ferny undergrowth hides friendly New Zealand bush robin, fantails (piwakawaka), tui and bellbirds.

We provide towels, lunch, sunscreen, sea kayaks, snorkelling gear and life jackets.

Please bring your own camera, hat, sunglasses, warm jacket (just in case ...) and swimming gear.

If you intend hiking the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, then please don't forget your sturdy footwear.

Kayak in the Abel Tasman on your day trip with Abel Tasman Charters

Cruise Timetable

A day out on the water is always great with lots to see and sometimes we see the most spectacular sights, here in the Abel Tasman.

Keep your eyes peeled when walking as saddleback, an endangered New Zealand native bird, have been released on Adele Island and you may be lucky to see them.

Weka (a flightless bird sometimes mistaken for a kiwi) may join you if you choose to stretch your legs on part of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track (one of New Zealand's Great Walks).

The Te Pukatea headland walk has increasing bird song thanks to Project Janszoon and the Abel Tasman Birdsong Trust. Listen to the very distinctly New Zealand bellbird/koromiko and tui as you walk.

So enjoy your time on board. Whether on a day trip or a private charter, go for a swim or a walk, or you can enjoy kayaking around some of the small bays enjoying the sights and sounds that the Abel Tasman has to offer.

We return to Stephens Bay around 4pm.

2023/24 Season Prices
Adults $340.00 per passenger.
Children 0-2 years free, 2 to 11 years $195, 12 years and older, full fare.
Seasonal: October 16th to April 15th (2 - 10 passengers).

Map and directions to your cruise embarkation

From Nelson and Motueka: Head south out of Nelson on SH6 then take SH60 to Motueka. 6km north of Motueka turn right off SH60 towards Kaiteriteri.

Stephens Bay Road is the next right - 3.8km from the turnoff. Easy sign to miss - it is blue and just states 'Stephens Bay Road No Exit'.

Come down to the beach and the skipper will come in and pick you up off the beach at 9.50am.

Any problems please call 0800 223522, and we will guide you in.

Transport option from Nelson to Abel Tasman Charters departure point is $60 return per person. For information and bookings please email – bookings@Betterbus.co.nz – arrives at Stephens Bay at 9am – departs 4.05pm


View Larger Map
Abel Tasman coastline, with Abel Tasman Charters

Abel Tasman Cruise Map

Our cruise leaves from Stephens Bay and travels along the Abel Tasman National Park coastline.

Each trip varies depending what we see along the way.

Abel Tasman Day Trip Map, with Abel Tasman Charters
A New Zealand fur seal and her pup in the Abel Tasman National Park

You Never Know What You're Going To See

We frequently see New Zealand fur seals or kekeno as we cruise the Abel Tasman coastline.

They can be seen basking on the granite rocks of the Abel Tasman and often have their pups alongside.

At certain times of the year the pups are left in creches. They can be particularly playful and will sometimes enjoy swimming along beside or behind the kayaks.

We like to ensure we follow the recommended Department of Conservation, marine mammal distances so that you have an experience with an animal that is not stressed in its own environment.

Adult fur seals are often viewed in and out of the water in the Abel Tasman and as such you may see them gliding past the boat or making a meal of their favourite food, octopus.

(Please note that the above photo was taken with a zoom/telephoto lens.)

Some Abel Tasman Wildlife You Might See

  • Little blue penguins
  • Cormorants, gannets
  • Herons, stilts, oyster catchers
  • Fluttering shearwaters, mollymawks, terns
  • Saddleback, tui, bellbirds, weka
  • Waxeyes, tomtit, robins, fantails
  • Kaka, kakariki
  • Dolphins & Whales (hectors, dusky bottlenose & common dolphins, orca)
  • New Zealand fur seals
  • Leopard seals
  • Stingrays, seahorses, fish

Book The Best Abel Tasman Day Trip

Our Testimonials


The Best Abel Tasman Day Trip!

If you only have one day in the Abel Tasman, cruise with us and experience the water, the coast and the bush - or just relax.

Kayak

Swim

Walk

Relax

Contact Abel Tasman Charters

Free Phone In New Zealand

Free Phone: 0800 22 35 22

International Phone

Tel: +64 274 418 588