Our whānau
Our family loves waka
with daughters Awatea and Aria
Manaaki tangata
Caring for people
Our community is at the heart of what we do
Todd (Ngāti Raukawa) enjoys training rangatahi for waka ama competitions and Lee-Anne (Ngāti Māhuta, Ngāti Pou, Ngāti Raukawa) does a lot of work with waka and local community groups. We invite you to join us and help us to help support our community's growth and empowerment.
Your safety comes first
Passionate about supporting healthy lifestyles
Your hosts
National and international waka ama medalists
What people are saying about our tours
Absolutely brilliant day! Highly, highly recommend Waka Abel Tasman for a fantastic and unique experience in a very beautiful part of the country. Our guide Thomas was fantastic, sharing fascinating... read more
25 April, 2022
Fantastic combo of learning about NZ Māori culture, exploring Abel Tasman and connecting with your fellow paddlers. Highly recommend!
15 August, 2022
This was an excellent experience, and the best part was that my young children (6, 4 and 2) were allowed to have individual seats and experience the journey independently too!... read more
_sojourn_xe8619 December, 2022
"Manaaki moana, manaaki tangata, haere whakamua"
What to bring for your waka experience
- Shorts
- Quick dry top and/or thermal top
- Warm fleece
- Rain coat
- Water shoes or barefeet is fine
- Water
- Sunblock
- Sun hat, sunglasses
FAQs / Pātai
Will I get wet?
Most probably. You will get wet feet getting into the waka and there could be splashing from sea and paddle. It’s all part of the fun!
Why do I need to take water?
It is wise to hydrate when in the waka. You might be having too much fun to notice that you’re exercising but there is some physical effort involved, so it’s a good idea to have water handy.
Will I need to wear a lifejacket?
Yes, that is part of our safety procedure. We supply lifejackets.
Do I have to be young and fit to do this?
Paddling a waka is something you can do sitting down! Because a waka team shares the work, age and physical fitness aren’t as important as they might be in other activities. Just relax, do what you can and enjoy being part of a team.
What happens if the weather's bad?
Please refer to our Cancellation Policy.
I have a bad back. Will I find paddling uncomfortable?
Sitting in a waka is comfortable and easier on the hamstrings than sitting in a kayak. There are no back rests, however. Only you know the extent of your back issues, so only you can assess whether or not paddling in a waka will aggravate the problem. If you are unsure, we recommend caution.
I don't know anything about Maori culture and I'm concerned I might offend someone
Please don’t worry! By sharing tikanga Māori (correct Māori etiquette), we want to give you a wonderful, cultural experience. It’s easy, relaxed and not at all confronting.
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