Failing the first time was the key to succeeding the second time, for the first kayaker to cross the Tasman Sea on his own.

Scott Donaldson arrived in New Plymouth last night, two months after he left New South Wales.

He previously tried making the 2000 kilometres solo-trip in 2014, but had to pull out just 80 kilometres from the shore.

Donaldson told Mike Hosking he learnt crucial lessons for his second attempt.

"The Tasman's a harsh place, it hammers your gear and you don't know what's going to break because what might be good for three weeks or three months might not be good for three years."

LISTEN ABOVE AS SCOTT DONALDSON SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING