Hi Phil, I can respond to your request with an enthusiastic endorsement of the following folk in Abel Tasman National Park; http://webnz.com/ocean_river/ I paddled with them two summers past, and was impressed with their gear, their approach to safety, and overall service. From what I saw, they were the best in the park. I am a Kiwi, so am probably one-eyed, but Abel Tasman is one beautiful place to kayak. Don't expect to be alone on the water. New Zealand is well and truly on the back-packers route, and Abel Tasman is a favorite haunt. For my money it is preferable to Bay of Islands. If you need more, let me know. Regards, Peter Rattenbury, Wollongong, Australia. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Hi Phil, > Peter Rattenbury wrote: > > Hi Phil, I can respond to your request with an enthusiastic > endorsement of > the following folk in Abel Tasman National Park; > > > http://webnz.com/ocean_river/ > The other pioneer of Abel Tasman is Abel Tasman Kayaks, www.kayaktours.co.nz We hired from them once and were happy with their service and professionalism. We have also hired from the Sea Kayak Company, www.seakayaknz.co.nz We wanted to do a mid winter paddle, and this was the only company open. Similarly happy with the service etc. Just avoid the place over Easter. There are some 600 kayak seats for hire there, and there will be bums on most of them over Easter. For the Bay of Islands, try Coastal Kayakers, http://www.coastalkayakers.co.nz/bay-of-islands.html . I don't know anything about them, as we use our own kayaks in the North Island. Marlborough Sounds is another great paddling area at the top of the South Island - generally quieter than Abel Tasman. Try the Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company, www.marlboroughsounds.co.nz . We did a seven day hire with them once, quite happy with the service here too. Just realise that you will, of course, be provided with rudder equipped kayaks - hope you can handle the trauma of that. All self respecting NZ sea kayaks also have fore and aft bulkheads. Allan Singleton Hamilton NZ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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