Sea Kayaking in Abel Tasman National Park

What a fantastic day. This has to be up there with one of the best days of the trip so far. We woke to sunshine and knew it was going to be a good day. We were picked up from the campsite at 8am. However, on the way to Sandy Bay where we would take the water taxi the weather closed in and it started to rain. We had decided to do the Big Tonga Marine Reserve Tour. It started with a scenic water taxi ride to Onetahuti Beach in the centre of Tonga Island Marine Reserve. By the time we'd had a quick introduction to kayaking and how to paddle properly the sun was peaking through the clouds and things were looking up. There were 6 of us in the group and our guide Cliff. Firstly we headed further up the coast to Shag Harbour. A small inlet that you can only enter at high tide. Fortunately today was a particularly high high tide. On the way we saw seal after seal. They are so intriguing to watch. They seem non-plussed by the kayaks. Some lie on the rocks wondering why you are looking at them. Others are playing in the water and come right next to your kayak. In the harbour Cliff told us there was a little stream at the back that we should go and look at. It was a tight squeeze between the rocky sides. We had to reverse the kayak out. Where this little stream ran into the harbour was a little pool with a seal and her pup. There were a few young pups around. Apparently they have only started coming out the last few days as they are only a couple of weeks old. We then paddled back down the coast and across to Tonga Island. This is a marine reserve so you have to stay 20 meters away from the shore. Again, there were many seals particularly in 'The Nursery'. We then had to kayak across open water during which we saw a little blue penguin. We reached a point around which was Mosquito Bay. A little cove that can only be reached by kayak. We were given a plentiful lunch and swam in the sea. Refreshing but not quite as cold as the Baltic. Whilst sitting on the sands tucking into my blueberry muffin someone shouts and points out to sea. There's a pod of at least 12 dolphins swimming past. The tide is going out fast now and this cove empties during low tide. Our kayaks are becoming further and further from the water. With slightly sore shoulders and sore bums we don our skirts and life jackets and head out again. The afertnoon's kayaking proves to be much shorter and easier. We paddle along the shore line dotted with many beautiful sandy coves that can only be reached by foot or boat. Finally we head in to Anchorage Bay. With the wind in our tails we join the kayaks together, open up a sail and cruise into the beach. Another taxi ride brings is back to where we started with the sun shining.