Abel Tasman: Mārahau to Apple Tree Bay and round Adele Island

Launch from the beach at Mārahau, at the southern gateway to Abel Tasman National Park, within a couple of hours of high water: the whole bay in front of the village dries out at low tide. Paddle north-east past Tinline and Coquille bays and round Guilbert Point to the golden sand of Apple Tree Bay, where there are toilets. Hop on past Stillwell Bay to Yellow Point, then cross the channel to Motuareronui / Adele Island and paddle right round it, past its north-west point, Jules Point and the southern tip, before crossing back by Sandy Point and returning along the coast to Mārahau.

It is 14.4 km round; allow about 3¼ hours in a kayak and 4 on a paddleboard, plus time ashore. The grade is Moderate: this is the open sea, the crossings to and from the island are each up to a kilometre, and the afternoon sea breeze can kick up a chop, so go in settled weather and time your return for the tide.

Adele Island has no toilets and no camping, and it is free of introduced predators: check your boat, bags and food for stowaway mice, ants or seeds before you land. Water taxis and tour boats use the coast all day. Tonga Island further north is protected and needs a permit. Wear a lifejacket and check the conditions before you set off.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap waterways (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.