Getting there

The southern end of the marine reserve at Glenduan is a short, 12km drive from Nelson. From here you can walk along the reserve, but watch for the incoming tide and take care over the boulders, as they can be unstable and slippery. Kayaks can also be launched and retrieved—with care—across the Boulder Bank.

For larger boats, there are good launching facilities at Nelson and Mapua, before embarking on a 12km boat trip north along the outer Boulder Bank. While out on the water, keep a wary eye on the weather and sea conditions; there is little shelter along this stretch of coast and stiff sea breezes regularly occur in summer.

At the northern end of the marine reserve, and well worth the 21km drive, is Cable Bay. Although you cannot reach the reserve from here on foot, kayaks and small boats can be launched from Cable Bay beach for a pleasant trip across to Ataata Point and into the northern sector of the reserve.

Large yellow triangles onshore mark the northern and southern boundaries; offshore buoys mark the ends and the outermost corners of the reserve. [Note: these markers may not always be present due to operational requirements.]