Getting Between Stops
Fly into Nelson Airport (NSN) from Auckland or Wellington and fly home from Christchurch Airport (CHC). Book a one-way rental car and expect a drop fee.
The drives are short and scenic: about an hour from Nelson to Kaiteriteri or Marahau, about two and a half hours from Abel Tasman to Picton via Havelock and Queen Charlotte Drive, under two hours from Blenheim to Kaikōura and about two and a half hours to Christchurch. New Zealand drives on the left, roads are two lanes and many bridges are single lane.
Inside Abel Tasman and the Marlborough Sounds, water taxis do the work. They run on schedules and tide windows, so book ahead and confirm pickup times. Strong winds sometimes cancel sailings, which is one reason the route gives each stop at least two nights.
Where to Stay
In Abel Tasman, split your stay. Spend two nights in Kaiteriteri or Marahau, where motels, B&Bs and rentals are close to the kayak companies. Then spend two nights at Awaroa Lodge inside the park, which feels remote without being rustic.
In Marlborough, choose a Sounds lodge with no road access. Bay of Many Coves has suites with sea views on Queen Charlotte Sound. Lochmara Lodge is more relaxed and known for its art and wildlife. Some Sounds lodges close or reduce services in winter, so check before you book.
In Kaikōura, Hapuku Lodge is the splurge, with treehouse rooms in a grove north of town. Otherwise, choose a motel or apartment with a sea view on the Esplanade. Everything in town is close together, so location matters less than the view.
When to Go
December to March is the best window. The water is at its warmest for kayaking, every lodge is open and the long evenings suit dinners outside. This is also school holiday season in New Zealand, especially from Christmas to late January, when the Abel Tasman beaches are at their busiest.
March is the pick for many couples. The crowds thin, the sea is still warm enough for a swim and the grape harvest is under way in Marlborough. April is cooler but often calm and settled.
Kaikōura's whales are present all year, so the timing of this route is set by Abel Tasman and the Sounds. From May to September, the beaches are quiet but chilly and some lodges and water taxis run reduced schedules. Whale-watching boats are weather dependent in any season, so do not leave them for your last morning.
What It Costs
This is a mid-range to upper-mid-range route. As an approximate guide, motels and B&Bs near Abel Tasman cost about $150 to $300 a night for two. Awaroa Lodge starts in the low $200s, while the Sounds lodges cost more, especially for suites with meals included. Hapuku Lodge's treehouses are the priciest rooms on the trip.
The main paid activities are a guided kayak day, water taxis, a whale-watching cruise and a dolphin trip. Each costs less than most splurges on a South Island trip, but they add up. Wine tastings at many cellar doors carry a small fee, often waived if you buy a bottle.
Add a one-way rental car, fuel and domestic flights. Seafood is the best value here: mussels in Havelock and crayfish in Kaikōura cost a fraction of what they would at home.
Tips for the Two of You
Pack for water and wind. Each of you will want a light rain jacket, a warm layer for boat trips, quick-dry clothing and sandals that can get wet. The New Zealand sun burns quickly, so bring high-SPF sunscreen and hats.
If either of you is prone to seasickness, take medication before the whale-watching cruise. The sea off Kaikōura can be choppy even when the shore is calm. Boats sometimes cancel for swell.
The route has room for different tastes. One partner might hike a longer section of the coast track while the other kayaks or reads on the beach; one might join a fishing trip in the Sounds while the other takes a cooking class or a massage. Sandflies are common at dusk on the beaches, so carry repellent.
Make It Shorter or Longer
With a week, drop Kaikōura and spend three nights in Abel Tasman and three in the Sounds, flying home from Blenheim through Auckland or Wellington.
With two weeks, start with three nights in Wellington or on Waiheke Island and take the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton, about three and a half hours through the Sounds. Or continue from Kaikōura to Lake Tekapo for stargazing and on to Queenstown, turning this into a full South Island loop.
With three weeks, combine this route with the southern lakes: Queenstown, Fiordland and Wanaka. Fly from Christchurch to Queenstown, or drive via Lake Tekapo. Finish with a few nights at a lodge on Lake Wakatipu before flying home.
