Abel Tasman

Get on the Water Early

NZ's smallest and busiest National Park, and the busyness is real. I lived and worked here for 12 years so I know it well. The golden rule is get on the water early. Conditions are better and the crowds haven't warmed up yet. If you're kayaking, the Classic Marine Reserve trip is the pick - ideally timed around king tides near a full or new moon, when you can get into the special inlets like Falls River, the Tonga Arches and the gold at Shag Harbour. The RANKERS promo code gets you a discount on sea kayaking out of Kaiteriteri, which is the better departure point anyway - way more coastline to see in a compact area.

Split Apple Before 9am

Split Apple Rock is one of those places where the timing genuinely matters. Before 9am or after 4pm. In between it's swarming with boat cruises and kayakers. Go early and you've got something special. If you go at sunset, check out the glow worms on the south side of the track on the way back. Worth it.

Cruise or Walk or Both

If a cruise is more your speed, the Full Park scenic cruise covers a lot of ground in 3.5 hours. My preferred version is to get off at Awaroa, grab a coffee or some pizza at Awaroa Lodge (a quirky option inside a national park), then walk south over the hill down to sweeping Onetahuti Beach and catch the boat back. The RANKERS promo code is handy here too on boat cruises. If you're after quieter beaches altogether, the northern end of the park around Anapai Bay and Mutton Cove is my favourite walking zone - harder to get to, so far fewer people. The campsite at Marahau is a solid base if you're doing a couple of nights.

Timing is Everything

Dec 27 to Jan 20 is a local circus. If you can avoid it, do. Come mid-March to mid-May and it's a different experience altogether - calmer seas, fewer people, and the seal pups have grown up enough that kayaking around them is better. Kaiteriteri is the spot I'd choose, outside of those four peak weeks.