For one of our final adventure in Golden Bay, we decided to get out on the water. After watching the weather carefully to find the calmest morning, we made our way along the bay a short distance to pick up some sea Kayaks.
We started our morning by heading out towards a couple of small offshore islets. As a test of our paddling skills we made a loop around each one, watching the cormorants and seals that were perched on the rocks.
As we gained confidence in our paddling skills, we decided to make our way around the point towards the beaches of Abel Tasman National Park. Given the calm seas were were even able to make it through the sea arch.
After rounding the point and skirting around the mussel farms in the Wainui river inlet, we caught our first glimpse of the sandy beaches that make up Abel Tasman National Park.
Despite the slightly overcast conditions, the water here was such an unusual shade of turquoise, which contrasted with the deep green of the densely forested hillsides.
We hauled our kayaks out on the beach for a quick break and to explore this remote area. The peninsula here, known as Taupo Point, was the Maori pa site (fortified village) of the Tumatakokiri tribe whose warriors were thought to have killed four of Abel Tasman’s men in 1642. Luckily, we had the beach to ourselves and were able to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Reluctantly, we climbed back into our boats to start the paddle back towards Golden Bay. With a little extra time before we needed to return the kayaks, we hugged the coastline for some distance, watching the birds take off and land from their perches on the steep rocky cliffs. We made it back to the bay with slightly sore arms, but having really enjoyed the chance to see the area from a different vantage point.