Tasman Island

Region : Tasman Peninsula
Length: Long
Difficulty: Very High
Climbing quality: High

Overall quality: 3 stars

Early Jan 2026

Benny Plunkett (Unsupported)

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Tasman Island Passage Cape Pillar

I vividly remember the first time I laid eyes on Tasman Island. It’s less than 500m across the Tasman Island Passage and yet somehow it felt a world away. Later that summer I sea kayaked out there and I knew I'd be back one day to see what wonders awaited around the corner. The following summer I hiked out to Cape Pillar with my new packraft. The swell was nearly non existent although I'm told the currents rip through the passage so I made sure to paddle across on the slack tide. A light NE wind assisted me across to the steam whinch in about half an hour.

Steam whinch on Tasman Island

Forecast BOM/Windy: 0.7m of E Swell. Light winds

I set off at 9am from the Tasman Island steam whinch and I opted to travel clockwise to soak up as much sun as possible. From the get go it was pretty clear that the seals were going to keep me company throughout the day. The NE & E aspect of the island had some scattered sections which could be run. There were a few beautiful sea caves that required short swims. As I began to wrap around to the SE aspect of the island there were a couple slightly more committing swims and the 200m+ vertical dolerite cliffs made it feel quite dramatic. I took my first snack break while half a dozen whales feasted just off shore. A large pod of seals were smashing large pelagic fish in the midst of it all too. The water visibility was incredible on the eastern side of the island and I was stoked to have brought my mask along although I was inappropriately dressed to make the most of it. I was wearing a t-shirt and thermal bottoms and the stupidity of that decision kicked in once the southern facing cliffs sheltered me from the sun. Crossing the dolerite bridge to The Monkeys was a real highlight.

SE corner of Tasman Island The Monkeys

The western side of the island ending up being slower going. I strung together a few super fun DWS climbs that had me pumping out 5-10m+ over deep water. The rock quality throughout the day was very reliable and enjoyable. The NW boulder field is home to hundreds of seals and it was surprising how far up from the water they would climb. I always try to keep my head on a swivel when skirting around seal colonies. This was the first ever occasion I’ve had a big bull seal go me as I unknowingly invaded it’s pups space.

The day was getting away and I was starting to wonder if I’d make it back before sunset. I shivered my ass off on a 150m swim and I was itching to exit the water on my first attempt. With little to work with, I began heel hooking on kelp and wrestling my way up a small vertical shelf. Both hands were occupied and right as I began to start slipping I instinctively bit on to some kelp which gave me a brief opportunity to lunge for the final hold. It was the ugliest move of all time and yet I absolutely loved the desperation Tasman Island drew out of me.

The entire traverse took 10 hours with approximately 15-20 swims and a wide variety of optional cliff jumps along the way. Could've shaved a couple hours off that time but had a good poke around. There aren’t as many sustained stretches of climbing as some of the classics (Chasm Creek to Deep Glen) although I only scratched the surface of what is possible on the DWS front. It was one of my all time favourite multi sport adventures and I'm convinced there's enough fun climbing to justify the approach. The following day brought beautiful conditions and I zipped back across the passage in my packraft with ease. To cap it all off I paddled in to the belly of the beast at the bottom of the chasm and kicked back while the seals played in crystal clear water.

The Chasm Sea cave beneath The Chasm