A fun Sunday with Kapiti Island Nature Tours

Tehaunui S.

Fun day tour booked with Kapiti Island Nature Tours.
After clearing biosecurity at their office, they will check your bags before you board the boat. This is because we don't want any pests or foreign plants and anything else that was already on the island, to come into it.

Kapiti Island Nature Tours boat docking on Paraparaumu beach with a tractor

Along the Marine Parade, you can park your car at the Beach club, or any carpark that has not got a 30 or 60 mins timer sign so avoid off-street parking. There are plenty of car parks around the area where the playground is too.

The boat docks onto the tractor which gets pulled out of the water, onto the beach where passengers board. It's pretty cool to see.
After a quick debrief when onboard, the boat ride is about 15 mins both ways, keep an eye out for dolphins.

Visitor centre building in the vegetation of Kapiti Island

Once you disembark, a Department of Conservation (DOC) ranger will greet you the traditional way and invite you to walk to the visitor centre. The walk takes around 5 mins and then will give a kōrero presenting the endemic species of birds living on the island. Which you will encounter on your ~5 hours exploring. The presentation takes about 20 mins and you're welcome to ask questions at the end.

Step climb track

There's a loop track around the plain/flat area which is where you can encounter wēka and takahē (the big bird).

Track sign

The South side of the island has a long and steep track going upwards to the summit. It is steep and has a lot of steps. It takes approximately 2 hours to do before joining up to the other Northern track which is less steep but with a lot of zigzags.

Various photos of birds, vegetation with the boat to Kapiti

You can pack and bring your own lunch and water but don't throw your fruit seeds or rubbish on the island. Be a tidy kiwi and take your rubbish back to the mainland on the way back. Lets keep Aotearoa New Zealand clean.

Overall it's a great day out with a bit of fitness activity to use up your ~5 hours spending on the Island.

There are two places that the boat drops you off. We only experienced the middle part of the island where you can climb your way up the summit, which has toilets and benches to picnic. The Northern drop off location has the bird nesting beach and the accommodations to stay the night.