If it's travel brochure perfect golden sand, bright turquoise clear water, spectacular rock formations and green bush scenery that you are after, head to Tata beach for a paddle to remember.
Golden Bay is a big natural harbour, with protection from the wild ocean from the largest natural forming spot in New Zealand - Farewell Spit, a whopping 26km long. It gets its name from when gold was discovered in nearby Collingwood in 1842.
I did this paddle whilst hosting aa wahine paddling retreat with Moana Paddle Nelson where we guided 20 amazing ladies on this paddle . It really stands out in my mind as a paddle filled with love, laughs and seeing so many women gain in confidence paddling on the sea here, with big smiles on their faces!
SUP around LITTLE TATA ISLANDS
Look out for seals, rays and blue penguins on this paddle, as wildlife fills the water and the rocks here. For bird lovers, these limestone islands are home to one of the largest colony of spotted shags too. Based at the most remote northern end of the Abel Tasman National Park, you can paddle here safely and sheltered in the bay heading to the two Tata islands (Motu and Ngawhiti). Or, paddle a little further along the coastline to Little Tata Beach and check out the whale skeleton on the sand or keep paddling through the granite archway at Wainui Bay.
If you are lucky, bioluminescence can wash into the water here, so keep an eye out on a night time paddle or swim to light up the water with sparkles glistening around you in the water, under the stars. We had 20 of us skinny dipping at 6am under the stars, moonlight and surrounded by the bioluminescence in the ocean, and it was pretty magical (and yes, pretty cold!). If you prefer to wait until daylight and to put some clothes on, this is the perfect spot to head out early at sunrise on your paddleboard to make the most of the calm morning window for paddling.
Launching from the eastern end of Tata beach or from the Tata beach boat ramp, take a 3 – 4km paddle loop, ending up where you started. You can paddle out to circumnavigate the Tata islands and then edge back hugging the coast line. Get up close to the island rocks so you can look for seals basking in the sun and shags hanging out on the cliffs. When you come back along the coastline, stay close to the shore to check out the rock formations and keep your eyes peeled for rays in the water.
Route
PADDLING INFO for tata beach
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ROUTE & conditions |
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WHERE TO PARK & LAUNCH |
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WHERE TO EAT & DRINK |
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WHERE TO SLEEP |
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LOCAL INFO |
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WEATHER & TIDES
I use Windy, Wind Finder, Met Service and NIWA check the weather, wind and swell.
Download the tides a year ahead from Land Information New Zealand.
Until next time, happy paddling!
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