Business information

As a locally owned family business
Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle prides
itself on giving you an experience to
remember. Our purpose-built boats are
designed, built, maintained and driven
by our team which makes us unique in
that we know every inch of our vessels
intimately, providing you the best in
comfort and safety.

Over the last decade we have set the
benchmark for visitor transport in
the Abel Tasman National Park by
building and operating the largest fleet
in the area, we continue to innovate
by designing and building new
vessels regularly. With the on-board
toilets and excellent viewing areas
these vessels are arguably, the most
comfortable plying the waters of the
Abel Tasman National Park!

Physical Address

2 Kaiteriteri-Sandy Bay Road
Kaiteriteri 7197
New Zealand

Email: cruise@abeltasmanseashuttles.co.nz
Freephone: 0800 732 748

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The owners

Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles was started in 2000 by Tim Jenkins. Tim asked Keith Knapp to build a boat for the business which led to Keith and his wife Heather becoming partners in the business. Tim left the business to pursue other interests and Keith and Heather have continued to develop Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles, achieving its current status as one of Nelson Tasman’s iconic visitor sector businesses.

During the past 20 years Keith has built 17 vessels for the business, along with many other pieces of equipment and innovations such as ramps to get passengers on and off our vessels with dry feet and propellers that tilt to one side of the vessel to allow the vessels to operate in very shallow water without disturbing the sea floor.

Since 2000, the Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles business has grown to employ seven members of the Knapp family across three generations and a total of 45 staff during the summer peak season. Two of Keith and Heather’s children – Greg and Debbie – work in the business and Keith and Heather’s grandson Jackson is the third generation skipper in the family.