Kayaking in Tonga Island Marine Reserve

Image: Kelly Herkert | ©

Tonga Island Marine Reserve

Located in the Nelson/Tasman region

Introduction

Enjoy swimming and snorkelling in the Abel Tasman National Park. It is renowned for its golden sand beaches, intimate coves, and excellent summer weather.

Place overview

Activities

  • Boating
  • Diving and snorkelling
  • Kayaking and canoeing
  • Swimming
  • Protect our marine reserves
    • No fishing of any kind.
    • Don't take or kill marine life.
    • Don't remove or disturb any marine life or materials.
    • Don't feed fish - it disturbs their natural behaviour.
    • Take care when anchoring to avoid damaging the sea floor.

Brochures

In this section

Find things to do and places to stay Tonga Island Marine Reserve

About this place

Nature and conservation

Visitors can easily combine land and sea adventures in their holiday. There is also a New Zealand fur seal colony on Tonga Island. Keep your distance as human encounters may disturb seals natural habitat.

Kayakers will often see little blue penguins along this coast and may occasionally be rewarded with an encounter with a pod of dolphins. 

Getting there

Transport services

The Abel Tasman coast is well served by bus, boat and kayaking companies. Find out how to book.

Travelling by private boat

The nearest boat ramp is at Totaranui, 5 km north of Awaroa Head. There are others at Tarakohe near Takaka, and at Kaiteriteri and Marahau in the south.

Water users should be wary of unmarked reefs and tidal changes. Sea conditions are often calm in winter but stiff sea breezes occur daily in summer and there is little shelter to be found along rocky sections of the coastline during storms. 

If this visit is part of your Great Walks experience, see Abel Tasman Coast Track for a map. 

Before setting out, check the tide tables because it is only safe to cross Awaroa Inlet within one hour 30 minutes before low tide and two hours after. 

From Awaroa Hut, head east to the mouth of Venture Creek and climb up to Tonga Saddle. From here there is an easy descent to Onetahuti Beach - your first contact with the marine reserve. Tonga Island lies directly offshore from here.

Know before you go

  • Before you board the boat or start the Abel Tasman Coast Track check for pests, such as mice, rats, non-native ants and weeds.
  • Keep your distance from seals (at least 20 m) – they can move fast and bite. 
  • No fishing or shellfish gathering from either boat or shore.

Contacts

Whakatū / Nelson Visitor Centre
Phone:   +64 3 546 9339
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz
Address:   Millers Acre/Taha o te Awa
79 Trafalgar Street
Nelson 7010
Postal Address:   Private Bag 5
Nelson 7042
Motueka Office
Phone:   +64 3 528 1810
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   motueka@doc.govt.nz
Address:   Cnr King Edward & High Streets
Motueka 7120
Postal Address:   PO Box 97
Motueka 7143
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