Back in 1987, Ocean River embarked upon an exciting journey to become the leading rental sea kayaking operator in the Abel Tasman National Park. In 2009 we decided it was time for a name change to better reflect our geographical area and what we do, we are now called Abel Tasman Kayaks - Kayak Rentals.
Many sunny days and many, many paddle strokes later…we can say that we’ve grown a little bigger over the years, but we have never lost the passion for what we do, or the wonder of this environment. Our focus was, and still is, on protecting the Park for the benefit of current and future generations.
And it’s this blend of passion, professionalism and personalisation that has created one of the largest kayaking operators in the country. As the owner of Abel Tasman Kayaks Freedom Rentals, I feel privileged to have our team introduce this beautiful place that we call home. Enjoy.
Jack Kelly
Gear and safety
Comprehensive Safety Management Programme
Member of the Sea Kayak Operators Association of New Zealand (SKOANZ)
All of our guides are certified through SKOANZ or have approved equivalent qualifications.
Other training includes comprehensive First Aid, coastguard qualifications, weather forecasting and local history of the Park.
Abel Tasman Kayaks - Kayak Rentals has an annual replacement programme for the kayaks and gear to ensure that you are using equipment that is the best available on the market
For rentals of two days or more, we use Paddling Perfection double fibreglass kayaks with a built-in rudder system. These purpose-built boats have 3 water-tight chambers for gear storage (approximately 300 litres). Specially designed for expedition paddling, these kayaks are stable, comfortable and fast.
For 1 day rentals, we use Dobbe Eco-Niizh double kayaks. These plastic moulded kayaks have three hatches, the middle being a watertight centre "pod" for gear storage (approximately 80 litres). With a built-in rudder system, these stable kayaks are perfect for one day trips, or shorter multi-day adventures.
