Swim with our principal seal-swim guide, John the Walrus. Long time adventurer and nature-lover, now turned professional singer / storyteller. His unique qualities and knowledge ensure this experience will be like no other.
A lot will happen on the four hour journey which includes a full briefing, and 1 hours scenic water-taxi ride, taking in the bays and coves of the beautiful Abel Tasman. We pass dozens of stunning coves and golden sand beaches on our way up to the Marine Reserve. If we encounter dolphins, we may jump in with them, briefly. (Unlike seals, they tend not to stay). We depart from Kaiteriteri Beach. A beautiful little bay which provides direct access to the water. Desmond Balmer of the UK Guardian voted it as one of the top 5 beaches in the world in January 2003. An idyllic spot, not to be missed. The swim is based out of a large, fast, comfortable, 20 seat water-taxi. We swim around an island, in the middle of a Marine Reserve, established 10 years ago. Excellent safety standards. Support boat ready for assistance at all times. Have a wonderful experience even if you’re not swimming. If getting wet isn’t your thing then John the Walrus and our boat driver ensure you get a great insight into both the Abel Tasman and the life of NZ fur seals as a stay-on-board passenger. Piping hot drink for all straight after your swim. Sit back and enjoy, while John the Walrus tells you a tale or two. Personalised service. Both guide and driver are highly experienced. As we swim in the heart of the Abel Tasman, it can easily be combined with a walk of the famous walking track in the afternoon.
Seal Swim Tour Options
Seal Swim & Scenic Water Taxi
$120.00 Adult $100.00 Child
The original Seal Swim begins at 9am. You'll meet John the Walrus, and receive his interesting, thorough and entertaining briefing at our base in Kaiteriteri. We kit up and get comfortable with all the gear before we embark on the 45-minute scenic water-taxi ride up to Tonga Island Seal Colony. We swim with the seals for 1 hour... Afterwards, sit back, with a piping hot drink, while listening to a story or song from John. We then return by water taxi to Kaiteriteri by 1.15pm. Hot showers are available upon arrival.
1 Day Seal Swim and Walk
$120.00 Adult $100.00 Child
Join our Seal Swim and Scenic WaterTaxi tour (see above) and instead of going straight home, spend the afternoon exploring the famous Abel Tasman walking track. We drop you off at Anchorage so you can relax on the beach and perhaps have some lunch before walking for 3 hours back to Marahau. Our bus meets you at 4.00pm to take you back to Kaiteriteri. Note: If you'd like a more relaxing afternoon option, we can drop you off at other beaches to provide a shorter walk (either 2 or 1 hours), back to Marahau.
1 Day Kayak and Seal Swim Tour
$160.00 Adult $140.00 Child
A combination package, taking in the Seal Swim and Scenic WaterTaxi (see above) tour in the morning, then a 3 hour kayak rental between 2pm and 5pm in the afternoon. After a full safety briefing, explore the islands, caves and coves on your way up to seeing the awesome Split Apple Rock. Kayaking provides a very different and more intimate view of the coastline than the water taxi, and with this combination, you get to experience both. Note: Due to the potential of afternoon sea breezes, there is a chance we may have to limit your amount of kayaking to 1- 1 hours exploration within the more sheltered confines of the local Kaiteriteri coastline. You will receive a refund of $25 per person should this occur. Subsidised $12 return transport from Nelson is available on all of these trips
Welcome to the warmest seal-swim water in NZ !
We may be cruising in it for up to an hour, and that's a good long time for a seal-swim, believe me, but our 5mm wetsuits are toastie-warm. Hop out sooner if you like...our mother-boat and driver remain safely off-shore, but always watching, in voice-contact, for our comfort and safety. So, we'll just drift and gently swim close to the shore-line of this lovely island. Who knows what the seals will do? New to this, are you? Great! We love to encourage folk like you into the delightful world of mask and snorkel-swimming.
Hey, and you experienced ones, of course you'll manage differently...perhaps you'll like to dive, to interact with the seals? I can help any others, wanting to improve the diving. This is the beauty of the seal-swim, it works at every ability-level.
Need more details?
For more information fill in the form below with your query and click "send", or simply phone us at Activities-nz on + 64 4 972 0798.
