FAQs - Pātai

Please refer to our Cancellation Policy.

Depending on the time of year dress for the day’s weather. Ideally wear or bring:

• Quick-dry clothing like shorts

• Quick-dry top and/or a thermal warm top

• Warm fleece

• Raincoat if rain is likely

• Water shoes, sandals, or go barefoot

• Water bottle

• Sunblock protection

• Sun hat,

• sunglasses

We have phone bags if you want to bring your phone.

Our tours depart from Kaiteriteri beach by the boat ramp

Our public trip and group trip is a 3hr experience, while our sunrise trip is 2hr. The sunrise trip start time varies depending on when sunrise is; the trip will start 30 minutes before the sunrise for Kaiteriteri.

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!

For our public tour, the minimum age is 2 years and there is no maximum age; for our private group trips, there is no minimum or maximum age.

No experience needed for our tours you will be taught everything you need to know.

Our tours are run in tikanga Māori starting with a mihi whakatau (cultural welcome) whakawānaungātanga (Making connections) learning to introduce yourself in te reo Māori (the Māori langauage) learning pūrakau (local history) Learning a waka haka, learning a karakia for kai (food) finishing the trip back at the starting point with a poroak (correct way to say goodbye)

Yes we take lots of families with young children on our trips

Yes, that is part of our safety procedure. We supply lifejackets.

Yes on our public trip you can book as an individual or a couple or more we do have a minimum number and will be in touch if that is not met.

The earlier the better, particularly Dec 26 to 26 January to guarantee your day of choice.

Absolutely, we offer team building and staff trips for businesses.

Yes we offer private group trips, large family groups, schools, and community groups.

Yes. Our waka experiences are designed to be welcoming and suitable for people of different heights and body sizes. If you have any mobility concerns or questions about comfort, please contact our team before booking so we can help you prepare and ensure you have the best possible experience.

Risk disclosure

Participating in our double hull waka experience has a low risk level. It is however an outdoor adventure activity, therefore participants are exposed to variations in weather conditions which all have an element of risk involved. Risks in undertaking this water-based activity include but are not limited to; Personal Injury (seasickness, heat stroke, hypothermia, drowning), Natural Weather Events (Flooding, Fire, Earthquake, Tsunami), and Property Damage (water damage /salt water submersion). Waka Abel Tasman mitigates these risks through thorough preparation and adherence to a detailed Risk Identification and Management System. This includes providing you with the necessary information, training and safety equipment to participate in our activities.You are personally responsible for listening to our directions, adhering to our advice, and making responsible decisions to keep yourself safe.Additionally, we reserve the right to modify, alter, or cancel activities at any given time if we feel your safety or the safety of others may be compromised.

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.

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.

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.

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.