A early(ish) start today sees us meeting the Sea Kayak Company outside the campsite at 8:30 to get kitted out and onto the water taxi to take us to Onetahuti and the start of our trip.
Once at Onetahuti we get into our kayaks and head off for the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. A gentle 20 minutes of paddling we make it to the marine reserve and spot the first of many fur seals who are keen to have a play around the kayaks. Our little group of 4 kayaks then spend ages popping in and out of different bays watching all the seals before we need to make a move down the coast and towards a lunch spot.
All along the coast there are so many pretty lagoons that we are able to explore. As the tide is high we are able to paddle into some of them which are mill pond flat and perfect for a gentle float around.
Around lunchtime Craig our guide decides that we should beach the kayaks and break open the sandwiches and cake. With unanimous approval from all 3 kayaks we head up on the beach and liberate the food from the kayaks, including Craig's Mum's delicious chocolate covered banana cake!
With the tide beginning to fall we launch off again before we have to drag the kayaks too far down the beach. As we continue down the coast we stop off at some other interesting little bays but unfortunately not any more lagoons as they are all emptying pretty quickly and look fairly hairy to get into.
As we are exploring round some of the rocky headlands I decide I should take some video of Mrs M paddling. After a couple of kayaking trips now I thought I had the hang of paddling and steering at the same time (the person at the back of the kayak has to steer). Unfortunately I don't yet have the hang of taking video and steering and we got a little closer to the geology than expected.
This has been an amazing trip and a great way to see some of the fabulous scenery in the Abel Tasman.
As a reward for all our hard work in the boat we treat ourselves to dinner out at the Park Cafe, where Mrs M has the scallop salad and I have the delicious burger.
Mr M
Once at Onetahuti we get into our kayaks and head off for the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. A gentle 20 minutes of paddling we make it to the marine reserve and spot the first of many fur seals who are keen to have a play around the kayaks. Our little group of 4 kayaks then spend ages popping in and out of different bays watching all the seals before we need to make a move down the coast and towards a lunch spot.
All along the coast there are so many pretty lagoons that we are able to explore. As the tide is high we are able to paddle into some of them which are mill pond flat and perfect for a gentle float around.
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| The McClymonts showing off their turning skills in a lagoon |
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| Not too shabby for a picnic ! |
As we are exploring round some of the rocky headlands I decide I should take some video of Mrs M paddling. After a couple of kayaking trips now I thought I had the hang of paddling and steering at the same time (the person at the back of the kayak has to steer). Unfortunately I don't yet have the hang of taking video and steering and we got a little closer to the geology than expected.
This has been an amazing trip and a great way to see some of the fabulous scenery in the Abel Tasman.
As a reward for all our hard work in the boat we treat ourselves to dinner out at the Park Cafe, where Mrs M has the scallop salad and I have the delicious burger.
Mr M
Can't believe you went kayaking without Kelvin !!
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