Signs of the infamous oil spill remain, but vast reaches of the sound are pristine 13. Abel Tasman National Park Abel Tasman National Park is a coastal haven for native flora and wildlife and resting humans alike. It stretches along a beautiful accessible coastline of sandy, bush-wrapped beaches locked between rocky headlands. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin Open-water crossings, frigid lake temperatures, and sudden winds make this area unsuitable for open boats. Sea kayakers, however, will delight in a mecca of eroded sandstone caves, sand beaches, lighthouses, and big water.
Paddlers can visit protected coves, offshore islands, and dramatic headlands.
On isolated beaches, they can also observe the arrival of thousands of leatherback Pacific Green and Olive Ripley sea turtles for their annual egg-layings 16. Here, glaciers flowing out from an icefield have carved deep valleys that extend out into the ocean, creating the fjords of the park. You'll have a chance to photograph glaciers, sea otters, puffins, seals, sea lions and perhaps even whales. Off Belize lies the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, second in size only to the one off Australia. Scattered along the 100-mile length are scores of small islands, most with beautiful sandy beaches and swaying palm trees.