Overnight On Kapiti, Meal Included
2 days, 1 night · Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Guided tour with a meal.
from $400.76 per person for 2 days Check availability →
Kapiti Day Tour, Meal Included
Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour
from $186.34 per person
Check availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Meeting point
- Paraparaumu Beach ferry departure
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Meal
- Meal included
- Run by
- Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Overview
A five-hour guided day on Kapiti Island, reached by ferry from Paraparaumu Beach, north of Wellington along State Highway 1. The tour is run by Kapiti Island Nature Tours, and the day starts with a check-in at the cafe on the corner of Howell Road and Marine Parade before the boat ride across to the island.
Once ashore, an experienced local guide gives an introductory talk, then leads a one-hour guided nature and history walk. Reviews repeatedly praise the guides for their knowledge of the island's birds, plants and history. Birdlife is a major draw: reviewers report seeing takahe, kaka, kereru, North Island robin and whitehead. Some parts of the walking involve an uphill section to reach the best viewpoints, so a moderate level of fitness helps.
Lunch is prepared by the chef at The Lodge and included in the price, along with coffee or tea. Several reviews single the lunch out as a highlight. Ferry transport, Department of Conservation and local council permits, and island admission are all covered. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so travellers make their own way to Paraparaumu Beach.
What's Included
Included
- Return ferry transportation from Paraparaumu Beach to Kapiti Island
- Department of Conservation and local council permits
- An introductory talk from an experienced and passionate local guide
- Lunch prepared by chef at The Lodge
- A 1hr guided nature/history walk
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Entry / admission - Kapiti Island
Not Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities (not required)
Itinerary
- Meet at Paraparaumu BeachCheck in from 08:45 at the cafe on the corner of Howell Road and Marine Parade, by the Kapiti Boating Club. Travellers are asked to call the operator between 7 and 7:15am that morning to confirm check-in and that the tour is going ahead.
- Ferry to Kapiti IslandReturn boat transfer from Paraparaumu Beach to the island, described by one reviewer as a fun short ride.
- Guided walk and talkAn introductory talk from a local guide, followed by a one-hour guided nature and history walk. The walk includes an uphill section to a lookout.
- Lunch at The LodgeChef-prepared lunch at The Lodge, with coffee or tea included, plus time to relax. The Lodge closes during June, July and August for annual maintenance.
- Free time and birdsTime on the island after lunch, where reviewers mention spotting takahe, kaka, kereru and other birds during their visit.
- Ferry backReturn by boat to Paraparaumu Beach, finishing in front of the Kapiti Boating Club. Total duration is 5 hours.
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points will help the day go smoothly, from the morning phone call to fitness and weather.
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- Getting there. There is no hotel pickup. The meeting point is the cafe at 29 Marine Parade, Paraparaumu Beach, reached by driving north from Wellington on State Highway 1, then along Kapiti Road to the boating club.
- Morning call. Travellers are asked to phone the operator between 7 and 7:15am on the day of the tour to confirm check-in time and that the tour is going ahead. Weather cancellations happen, so this call matters.
- Fitness and pace. The guided walk lasts one hour, and a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. Several reviewers note an uphill hike is needed for the best views and describe it as worth the effort.
- Food and drink. Lunch at The Lodge is included, along with coffee or tea, and many reviews describe the meal as excellent. One reviewer who took two children said the whole family had a really good time.
- Birds and photos. Reviewers report sightings of takahe, kaka, kereru, North Island robin and whitehead on the island. One traveller described seeing the takahe as the highlight of the day.
- Weather dependence. The experience requires good weather and the ferry can be cancelled in poor conditions. If cancelled, travellers are offered a different date or a full refund.
Common issues. The tour depends on the weather, and reviewers describe cancellations that disrupted their plans, including one traveller still chasing a refund after a boat cancellation. One reviewer missed the departure after arriving late at the meeting point. Getting to Paraparaumu Beach is your own responsibility. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, the Lodge closes for maintenance over June, July and August, and gratuities are not included though not required.
Common Questions
What Is Included In The Price?
The price covers return ferry transport from Paraparaumu Beach, Department of Conservation and local council permits, an introductory talk from a local guide, a one-hour guided nature and history walk, a chef-prepared lunch at The Lodge with coffee or tea, and admission to Kapiti Island. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and gratuities are not required.
Is Hotel Pickup Provided?
No. The tour meets at the cafe at 29 Marine Parade, Paraparaumu Beach, near the Kapiti Boating Club, for the ferry to the island. You make your own way there, driving north from Wellington on State Highway 1 and following Kapiti Road to the boating club.
How Long Is The Tour?
The full experience runs five hours, starting with check-in from 08:45. That covers the ferry crossing, the guided walk, lunch and the return boat to Paraparaumu Beach.
Is The Tour Suitable For People With Limited Mobility?
The tour is not wheelchair accessible, and travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level. The guided walk includes an uphill section to the lookout, which reviewers describe as requiring reasonable fitness.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. The tour requires good weather; if it is cancelled for weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What Should I Do On The Morning Of The Tour?
Travellers are asked to call the operator between 7 and 7:15am that morning to confirm the check-in time and that the tour is going ahead, since the ferry can be affected by weather. One reviewer reported missing the departure after arriving late, so allow plenty of time to reach the meeting point.
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