Marahau: Coast, Walking Tracks and Kayak Tours

Marahau brings together golden sandy beaches, a tidal estuary and blue-green water with a range of walking tracks and activities on the water. When planning your trip, the landscape is not the only consideration: you’ll also want to decide whether to focus on the Abel Tasman Coast Track as a multi-day one-way route, the Inland Track or coastal activities. If you’re looking for hotels in Marahau, you can use your planned activities to help choose your destination.

Walking between the coast and inland

The Abel Tasman Coast Track is 60 km long and takes three to five days. As a one-way route, it runs from Marahau to Totaranui or Wainui. Its length and duration give the walk a time frame, while its one-way format distinguishes it from a loop that returns to Marahau.

The Abel Tasman Coast Track section from Marahau to Anchorage crosses the estuary via the Marahau Causeway. The route initially passes through open terrain and then through lush beech forest with large kānuka trees.

The Inland Track connects Marahau with Wainui Bay via Pigeon Saddle on the Tākaka–Tōtaranui road. The two routes therefore differ in their basic layout: the Inland Track connects Marahau with Wainui Bay, while the Coast Track is a multi-day one-way route to Totaranui or Wainui. When comparing the walking tracks, this distinction between a connecting route and a coastal walk provides a concrete starting point.

Coastal scenery and kayak tours

Marahau’s landscape includes golden sandy beaches, a tidal estuary and blue-green water. At low tide, you can explore rock pools and photograph the surroundings. The tide level is therefore a practical point of reference when planning these activities.

Abel Tasman Kayaks has a purpose-built base in Marahau and offers environmentally responsible kayak tours. On the tours, you can explore golden beaches, bays, lagoons, offshore islands, wildlife and native forest along the granite coast. The coast offers different activities to focus on, including both walking tracks and kayak tours.

Getting there and practical planning

Commercial water taxis operate between Marahau or Kaiteriteri and Totaranui. Water taxis on the Abel Tasman Coast Track operate year-round and must be booked in advance. Check the timetable and booking options before your trip so you can include water transport in your plans.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) provides a car park at the end of the road in Marahau. Parking there is at your own risk.

Cultural attractions in Nelson

Founders Heritage Park, in the wider Nelson destination, is a recreated historic village from Nelson’s early years, approximately 1880 to 1930. The park includes historical exhibits, a railway, a café and working craftspeople. The Nelson Provincial Museum Pupuri Taonga o Te Taiao is located in the heart of Whakatū Nelson.

Discover more destinations: Mahana, Wakefield, Parapara, Murchison, Nelson Lakes National Park, Mapua, Upper Moutere, Kikiwa

For the wider travel overview: Tasman District.