Tauranga kayaker Tim Taylor is closing on Cape Maria Van Dieman today as he paddles towards the top of the North Island.

He's in the process of completing his circum kayak of the country, a mission he began in November 2010.

Tim Taylor.

Tim started from Tauranga heading towards East Cape on November 27, 2010.

He was delayed by bad weather throughout the more than 4000km voyage, meaning he was closing on the Capes in June with fading light and the Tasman Sea was taking on its winter aspect.

He resumed the voyage from Ahipara at the southern end of 90 Mile Beach on Sunday, stopping overnight at the Bluff, about 60km north of Ahipara.

He passed inshore of Matapia Island about 8.30am and by mid morning was reaching Scott Point, the northern end of the 85km long 90 Mile Beach.

The exposed beach and the capes require a specific weather window of low swell and little wind in both oceans to be able to be safely paddled.

Once around the capes, Tim will have more options on the relatively sheltered east coast of the North Island.

Tim's getting his sea conditions from www.swellmap.com/Surfing/New-Zealand/The-Bluff.

The low swell conditions across the top are looking miserable for surfers, but a half metre across Spirits Bay is good for Tim.

'I have found this site to be incredibly accurate for coastal sea kayaking because generally speaking, I am kayaking in the same zones as what surfers use,” says Tim.
He's expecting to take about two weeks to kayak the 700km or so to complete the voyage.

Tim Taylor leaving Ahipara beach on Sunday.