Why Honeymoon in Abel Tasman
Abel Tasman offers something rare in New Zealand: beaches warm and sheltered enough to enjoy for days, combined with real wilderness. The coast faces north into Tasman Bay, which gives it more sunshine and calmer water than most of the country.
The activities suit couples of any fitness level. You can kayak for a morning and ride a water taxi back, walk a short section of the Coast Track between two beaches or tackle the whole track over several days.
The park is also a counterweight to Queenstown's busy energy. Here the days are about swimming, reading on the sand and watching for seals and little blue penguins. It feels like a summer holiday rather than a sightseeing tour.
When to Go
December to March is the best time, with warm days around 22°C (72°F), long evenings and the most water taxi departures. The sea is still cool by tropical standards, but swimming is pleasant on calm days.
The busiest weeks are around Christmas and through January, when New Zealand families are on holiday. Book kayaks, water taxis and lodges ahead for that period.
October, November and April are lovely for walking, with fewer people and more variable weather. From May to September the park is quiet and cool. Walking is still rewarding in winter, with crisp clear days, but swimming and kayaking become less appealing and some services run reduced schedules.
Where to Stay
For the most memorable experience, stay inside the park. Awaroa Lodge sits near Awaroa Bay with no road access, reached by water taxi, plane or on foot. It offers rooms set in gardens and native bush, with a restaurant on site.
Guided walking companies such as Wilsons Abel Tasman run multi-day trips that include stays at private beachfront lodges, with meals and luggage transfers handled for you.
Marahau and Kaiteriteri, at the park's southern edge, have holiday homes, motels and small lodges close to the water taxis. Motueka and Nelson have more choice. Expect roughly NZ$200–450 a night for a good stay near the park, more for lodges inside it.
Romantic Things to Do
Book a guided sea kayak trip from Marahau or Kaiteriteri. Many paddle out to Adele Island or to the Tonga Island Marine Reserve, where fur seals lounge on the rocks and sometimes swim alongside.
Use water taxis to design your own day. Get dropped at one bay, walk a section of the Coast Track through native forest and get picked up at another. The stretch between Bark Bay and Anchorage is a favorite.
At low tide, cross the Awaroa Inlet on foot, a wide sandy estuary that is only passable for a few hours either side of low water.
Stop at Split Apple Rock near Kaiteriteri for a photo of the granite boulder split cleanly in two.
Getting There and Around
Nelson Airport (NSN) has direct flights from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. From there it is about an hour's drive to Marahau or Kaiteriteri, the main gateways to the park.
You can also drive from Picton, where the ferry from Wellington arrives, in about two and a half hours.
Inside the park there are no roads to most beaches. Water taxis run from Marahau and Kaiteriteri to various bays and are the main way to get around. Kayaks and walking are the others.
Walking the full Coast Track takes three to five days. If you plan to stay in Department of Conservation huts or campsites, book ahead online, especially in summer.
Food and Drink
Inside the park, food options are limited to lodges and what you carry. Pack a picnic from Motueka or Nelson for days on the beaches.
Nelson and the surrounding Tasman region are a quiet food destination. Wineries around Upper Moutere and the Waimea Plains produce Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and aromatic whites. The region is also one of New Zealand's main hop growing areas, so craft beer is excellent.
The Saturday Nelson Market is a good place to stock up and browse local art. Mapua, a small waterfront village between Nelson and the park, has relaxed restaurants and a smokehouse. Kaiteriteri and Marahau have casual cafés for breakfast before your water taxi.
Honeymoon Tips
Check the tide tables before you walk. Some sections of the Coast Track, including the Awaroa Inlet, can only be crossed near low tide. The alternative routes add time.
Sandflies are common on beaches and near streams in the evening. Bring a good insect repellent and long sleeves.
The sun is strong, especially on the water while kayaking. Reapply sunscreen and wear hats.
Water taxi and kayak trips depend on the weather, so build in a spare day. If you want privacy, take an early water taxi and head to a beach away from the main drop-off points. Many couples find their favorite spot this way.
