3 Night Luxury Cruise - Abel Tasman National Park

Abel Tasman National Park

Small but exquisitely formed, the Abel Tasman National Park is a paradise of golden beaches, granite and marble rock formations, lush native forest and remarkable wildlife encounters. Close to the shore, the water is a tropical shade of turquoise and so clear that you can watch the anchor dig into the sand. Apart from the walking track that traces the park’s boundary with the sea, there’s not a road to be seen.

Island Escapes’ magnificent flagship, Island Passage, is a boutique cruise ship with ten luxurious cabins – each with its own ensuite, a top chef and the onboard equipment to cater for every adventure or experience the National Park has to offer

Day 1 - Tonga island and Awaroa Bay

After boarding Island Passage mid-afternoon, you can sit on deck with a cool drink and watch the Abel Tasman panorama slide by.  Hills cloaked in native forest slope down to a procession of perfect beaches. Between the main bays, granite and marble boulders mark the  boundary between forest and ocean.

We’ll pass the Tonga Island fur seal colony and the secret inlet of Shag Harbour before arriving in beautiful Awaroa Bay, our anchorage for the night. While the barman supplies your favourite aperitifs, chef is preparing a gourmet meal that promises to be as outstanding as the scenery.

Day 2 - Golden Bay and Farewell Spit

ZFollowing breakfast, subject to weather, embark on an excursion to explore this active volcano, identifiable by the plume of steam continually spouting from its crater. Following a landing with the “Xplorer” spend approx three hours on a guided walk to the crater returning for lunch before cruising southwards along the coast to Whangara, a small Maori settlement made famous following the filming of the movie Whale Rider. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 3 - Bark Bay to Anchorage

Today you’ll experience two of the greatest pleasures of the Abel Tasman – sea kayaking and hiking. From Onetahuti you’ll paddle to the fur seal colony at Tonga Island; delightful encounters with the residents are a certainty. Then you’ll head south, along the granite and forest coastline to beautiful Bark Bay. Watch for little blue penguins along the way. Here you’ll take to the coastal walkway for a two-hour hike to Anchorage, where the ship awaits.

Highlights include the swing bridge at Falls River and native birdsong in the forest. If the tide’s out, you’ll get to take off your shoes and cross the Torrent Bay estuary the quick-but-muddy way. Tonight the Captain hosts a farewell

VIRTUAL TOUR & DOSSIER

Please take the time to view our “Virtual Tour” for the 3 Night abel Tasman Cruise or download/print the detailed “Tour Dossier”. Both can be found on the right hand column of this page. Alternatively you can simply contact us. For a comprehensive list of all activities available in each location featured in this tour, please refer to the "Destination Guide" found at the top of this page.