abel tasman aqua taxi - day tours

I am sorry to hear about your negative experience in the Abel Tasman. However, this unfortunate event can not be attributed to the advice of your skipper on that day. The skipper was correct in telling you that the low tide that day was at 2pm (1.53pm to be precise) and that the walking time is generally 1 - 1.5 hours from Onetahuti to Awaroa as per the DoC specified walking times. As it was a particularly low tide on that day, the usual window of 2 hours either side of the low tide to cross the Awaroa Inlet can be stretched out to 3 hours, so this information was accurate as well. Therefore, it seems like you either didn't quite understand the driver or you miscalculated the timing yourself. Again, I'm sorry this happened - but AquaTaxi was not responsible for it.

Aqua taxis shuttled our luggage along the track and transferred us from Awaroa to Totaranui Their boats are in good condition, have cheery captains, were on time and the staff at Marahau helpful

We had a relatively windy day which caused some reasonable sized waves. Instead of going really slowly (which would not only cause delays by also make it very rocky and likely to cause sea sickness), the driver took us on a really fun jet ride over the waves. We were literally flying through the air at times, and everyone on the boat enjoyed it. I noticed he driver also looking back to keep an eye on people to make sure they weren't getting scared or anything.Otherwise, the boats keep to time and are relatively comfortable.One dislike - there appears to be a second boat taxi company in Abel Tasman (forgot the name), but the two companies are actually the same. One bought the other a few years ago. They do warn you to look out for boats with either logo, but I still find it a little confusing. For example, they also have two physical offices and until I asked what the situation was, they never explained. Not only was this a bit confusing, but I find this questionable as they seem to be keeping both brands around just to make it appear there is competition.Also, one suggestion if the company is reading this would be to see if they're able to add a later pickup in the late afternoon / early evening. We did one of the options where we walked about 8km, leaving in the very first boat in the morning at 9am, but felt like we had to rush to ensure we reached the one section that gets covered in high tide or else we'd have missed the final boat at 4pm. Especially during the summer, It would be great for like a 5pm boat if that hasn't been tried before.

We booked a 2 day overnight trip with Abel Tasman Aqua Taxis. This cost $132pp (we got 10% off with a Go Play discount card) and included: - 1 way taxi from Marahau to Onetahuti - Bag transfer from Marahau to Aquapackers; and bag transfer from Aquapackers to Marahau - Overnight accommodation on the Aquapackers in Anchorage (we upgraded to a private room for $25pp extra) - Dinner and breakfastWe found the whole process very easy and professional. Car parking was provided for free. Our skipper was very interesting and knowledgable. The boat ride was lovely. The accommodation was great.Even if you're not doing the day trip, I would highly recommend the bag transfers. It will save you hiking with your big packs and at $15 each way, that's totally worth it!

Very professional and safety conscious operation. We were very impressed that this is not just a taxi service but that the skipper stopped on the way out to point out interesting landmarks and to see some seals frolicking in the ocean. The trip was fast and comfortable. Highly recommended.

We were collected on time by our skipper and guide Gerrard. He was friendly courteous and ensured that the children were safely in their life jackets before giving a commentary of the coastline and wildlife on the journey from Totaranui to Marahau. Would recommend.

Fast and efficient service, a great way to travel around the park, we Used them a couple of times during our trip to the Abel Tasmin, to drop us off and pick us up at various locations in the park.Service was efficient, and very easy to use. Just be prepared to get wet, as the pick up / drop off locations are on the beach, and the tides. An mean you have to wade in / out to the boat

The water taxi company is a very professional service and a great way to get around the area if you do not or cannot kayak to get to walks or beaches. The operators are well trained in showing you the local attractions and are very safety conscious. We all had to wear life- jackets once aboard which was a first for me and I have travelled extensively by water around the world. Children were well catered for as well. The skippers knew the attractions well and could talk about them and guide us on the best areas to go to given the weather at the time plus they were friendly!! Obviously a very well run business !!!!!!!!!!!

My daughter, son in law, 16 month grandson and I travelled out to Onetahuti Bay in the Abel Tasman National Park. We were camping there for two nights. The water taxi company were fantastic, friendly, great with my little grandson and all the gear we had.On the trip out to the bay, the skipper talked about things of local interest that we passed, plus showed us some of the wildlife that call the area home. It was very informative. The whole experience was great. On our way back we caught an earlier water taxi, which wasn't a problem. All of the staff we encountered were so helpful and friendly. I would definitely recommend traveling with them.

Pros: It combines sightseeing and hiking in the park and good for a tour of Abel Taskman National Park for people with a limited time. You can also arrange drop off and pick up which allows for longer stay in the park.Cons: Lots of pick up and drop off stops, sometimes can be unconformtable if you are prone to seasickness.

My husband and I took the Aqua Taxi to Anchorage to begin our hike back to the car. The hike was expected to take 4 hours but we were able to complete it in closer to 2.5 hours (we walked fast and did stop a ton, but also weren't running the trail). The boat driver was informative and friendly. The facility was nice. Highly recommended. We took the 1:15(ish) trip. My opinion is to do this instead of sea kayaking as it can be quite windy and it's appeared to be mostly open water.

Booked this trip online from Australia, but paid on the day...great friendly and clear communication from the girls. When you use the taxi you are able to pick whatever sections of the park you want to explore, depending on your physical ability and time restraints, We opted for the Falls River trip which is touted as the most scenic part of the track. The taxi left a few minutes late but made good time and we were at Torrent Bay at the allocated time, unfortunately the tide was way out and we had to walk quite a distance through knee deep water to the beach (not an issue for the majority of us, except the teenage daughter who wasn't wearing shorts). The track was a pleasant walk, without any steep sections and we easily did it in the allocated timeframe. Views from the track were lovely, and the section crossing the suspension bridge at Falls River was particularly lovely. We arrived at Bark Bay about one and a half hours before our pick up time but went to the hut and ate our packaged lunch, before wandering to the beach for the kids to have a play before pickup. Quite choppy going home but the driver did a great job of making it as smooth as possible. Great day, would love to do more of the track at some stage.

Depending on what trip you decide to take this tour enables you to see as much or as little of the national park by boat and jump off, jump on when you like. We took a tour half way down the coast, jump off and did a 2 hour walk though the forest to be picked up by the boat at the next bay.

My boyfriend had a broken foot so we couldn't do the trek but these guys sorted us out with a trip to see as much as we could in one day to make up for it. Staff were really helpful and on the way back they stopped off in loads of different places for us to take photos etc. It is a beautiful part of the world

I took an Aqua Taxi from Marahau to Totaranui after hiking the coast track, and was very impressed with the service. The girls taking the bookings were great. The skipper took us to a few interesting places along the way and stopped so we could see the sights and take photos. The trip up the coast is pretty quick, but not so quick that you can't see anything!