Local Info & Tips

If you want to have a family day out, you could pack a nice picnic lunch and go ashore to one of the lovely “golden sand” beaches in the Abel Tasman area. From there you could have a day of swimming or water sports activities (can be provided by request - subject to availability).

In the Abel Tasman, we have a variety of marine life that can be seen on occasions including blue penguins, bottlenose dolphins, fur seal colonies and included in the area is the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. 

After leaving the Kaiteriteri boat ramp in our local area, you will pass several golden beaches, Split Apple Rock, and see lots of bird and marine life. Kayakers can also usually be seen making their way too, or from the Abel Tasman waters also.

Alternatively, you could go on a fishing trip in the Abel Tasman, Nelson or Marlborough Sounds areas where you have a choice of Snapper, King Fish, Gurnard or Rig to name a few depending on the season.

The Nelson Lakes is also a short 1 hr 30 minute drive away from us. Once there you can travel up the Lake with the option of several beaches to stop on for the day. Local eels can sometimes be spotted from the main jetty. A day of picnicking and water sports is also an option at the Lake.

Motueka & Abel Tasman boating information

Boat Ramps - places to launch your boat

Motueka:

This is a great ramp. It is run by the Motueka Powerboat Club. The ramp is cared for and gated with a swipe-card but you can get a day pass from the watch house at Talleys over the road or buy a yearly pass from us here at Bays Boating. The year runs from July to July.
The ramp can be used at all tide stages but you need to take care during low tide when motoring out the channel. It can get very shallow at the end of the breakwater. There is a long sandbank that extends from the north and you will have to give the end plenty of clearance and follow the marker buoys.

View the Motueka Marina on Google Maps

Kaiteriteri:

This is a concrete ramp at the northern end of the bay. It's nearly all tide. The ramp is quite shallow, so at low tide, the tide is below the bottom of the ramp. The ramp is managed over the busy January period and has an honesty box for the rest of the time. There is not a lot of room for cars and trailers so the trailers have to be parked in a trailer park on Martin Farm Road. If it's very busy you will have to park your car there too. The ramp can be very busy at times but with patience and care it works out fine.

View the Kaiteriteri boat ramp on Google Maps.

Marahau:

This is the nearest ramp to Abel Tasman National Park. It is well constructed but the beach dries out a long way, so the ramp can only be used at the top of the tides. The sea breeze can cause wave issues too. The Water taxis use this ramp with tractors towing the boats on trailers. It can be a busy place without many places to park.

The Marahau boat ramp is opposite this property on Google Maps.

To hire a boat, fill in the form on our boat hire page. For more information about boating in the Abel Tasman area, get in touch or stop by our showroom at 15 King Edward St, Motueka.