4.9 (492) · Wellington · By Kapiti Island Nature Tours Free cancellation
Just off the Kapiti Coast is Kapiti Island, a bird and nature sanctuary free of predators and pests.
This overnight experience offers the one-of-a-kind opportunity to stay overnight on the otherwise uninhabited island.
Try one of the island’s many walking tracks and spot native birds in the canopy.
Later, enjoy drinks & nibbles followed by a chef-prepared meal, then head out for a guided night walk to see & hear the island come alive in a different way.
✓ Return ferry transportation from Paraparaumu Beach to Kapiti Island✓ An introductory talk from an experienced and passionate local guide✓ Guided night walk: Experience NZ wildlife by night looking for ruru, korora & Kiwi pukpuku✓ Department of Conservation permits✓ Lunch✓ Dinner✓ Breakfast✓ Overnight stay (choose your accommodation - cabin, tent or ensuite) - each option has its own rate.✓ Entry / Admission - Kapiti Island✕ Hotel pickup and drop-off✕ Gratuities (not required)Day 1: Kapiti Island - visit Rangatira Point
Repas : dîner : Delicious local kai (food), includes pre-dinner drinks & nibbles., déjeuner : A yummy packed lunch from a local cafe.
Stay overnight in one of our comfy cabins.
Day 1, Stop 1: Kapiti Island
Kapiti Island
5 h, entrée incluse
Our overnight experience package is all-inclusive and gives you 2 full days on the island.
We’ll have a yummy packed lunch waiting for you at check-in, then you'll be met by an experienced local guide at Rangatira in the middle of the island.
Your guide will walk with you, share the rich human and ecological stories, and help you identify the flora and fauna around you.
From the arrival of the first Māori to the eradication of the last rat, we will take you through the history of this land.
At Rangatira you will also have the chance to climb Kapiti's highest peak, Tuteremoana, or explore the lower tracks through established New Zealand forest.
In the afternoon you'll be transported to Waiorua, where you'll spend the night at the lodge.
You'll be treated to local beer and wine, and a delicious home cooked meal before heading out after dark on a guided night walk.
Staying in a cosy cabin, you'll fall asleep to the sound of calling Kiwi and Weka, Kaka and Ruru.
Day 2: Kapiti Island - explore Waiorua
Repas : petit-déjeuner, déjeuner
Day 2, Stop 1: Kapiti Island
Kapiti Island
5 h, entrée incluse
A hot breakfast and fresh coffee will help you experience the world come alive as you watch the sunrise over Waiorua Bay, on one of the oldest sanctuaries in the world.
You'll spend your second day exploring the Waiorua tracks, with a coastal or hill walk available.
After a hot lunch at the lodge, you'll depart Kapiti in the afternoon of day 2.
Please note: the coastal walk is generally closed between 1 October & 31 March due to nesting seabirds.
Mobile or paper ticket accepted. One per booking
Directions: Drive north fm Wellington City on State Highway 1. When you reach the town of Paraparaumu, turn left at traffic lights, follow Kapiti Road to the Kapiti Boating Club at the end of the road, take the 1st exit left on to Marine Parade, cafe is on corner of Howell Rd & Marine Parade.
You will return to the beach at Paraparaumu Beach, in front of the Kapiti Boating Club.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.
All tours are subject to favourable sea conditions - we will notify you the morning of your tour if the ferry is cancelled due to rough seas.
Please advise in advance of the tour if you have any dietary requirements.
Public transportation options are available nearby Specialized infant seats are available Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness Please contact us between 7-7:15am on the day of your tour to confirm your check in time and that the tour is going ahead. Ph: 0800 527 484. Overnight Experience - Cabin Cabin accommodation: An all-inclusive overnight tour to Kapiti Island staying in Cabin Accommodation. Overnight experience - Ensuite Overnight Experience - Tent Glamping Tent Wear comfortable walking shoes. Be prepared for variable sea conditions; check ferry status if unsure. Inform the provider of any dietary requirements in advance. Contact the tour operator on the morning of your tour to confirm details. Consider the coastal walk closure dates if planning to visit during nesting season. For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Product code: 17098P1
Activity offered by Kapiti Island Nature Tours via Viator.
WizardTrip Help Center Nature lovers Bird watchers Eco-tourists Hikers Those seeking a unique New Zealand experience Unique overnight stay on a predator-free island sanctuary Guided walks to discover native flora and fauna Opportunity for a guided night walk to see nocturnal wildlife Includes meals and accommodation Stunning natural scenery and birdlife
Population 216,200 (2023)
Elevation 0 m
Currency New Zealand dollar
Official languages Māori, English
Driving on the left
Power plugs I · 230 V
Emergency number 111 Average temperatures 17° Jan 17° Feb 16° Mar 14° Apr 12° May 11° Jun 10° Jul 10° Aug 11° Sept 12° Oct 13° Nov 15° Dec Sources: Wikidata; climate: NASA POWER, 2001-2025 averages.
What is included in the overnight experience? + The overnight experience is all-inclusive and includes return ferry transportation, an introductory talk from a local guide, a guided night walk, Department of Conservation permits, lunch, dinner, breakfast, and overnight accommodation.
What are the accommodation options? + Accommodation options include cabins, tents (glamping), and ensuite rooms. Each option has its own rate.
What should I bring? + Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Please also advise in advance of the tour if you have any dietary requirements.
What happens if the weather is bad? + All tours are subject to favourable sea conditions. We will notify you the morning of your tour if the ferry is cancelled due to rough seas.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Amazing bird life and a fabulous weekend experience
Kikki0, October 2026
The bird life was unbelievable. The dawn chorus is deafening. Do not do the day trip but invest in the overnight experience because you will miss the dawn chorus and the night guided tours to see kiwi and penguins (in season).
Day hikes (unguided) are festooned with a huge range of native birds and loud bird song. Trig walk is steep but other trails are less steep and all are worthwhile.
Staying overnight means you have access to another part of the island and a completely different environment and different range of birds.
As well, you have the delight of a great evening with excellent food, wine, hot breakfast, (quick) showers, and watching the birds be birds from the deck.
Highly recommend Early October timing for maximum bird activity, great walking temperatures, and comfortable sleeping.
Worth every penny and more! Do not miss!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
A very enjoyable couple of days in paradise
Y4950HOpaulb, September 2026
We did the overnight experience in a cabin with another couple. The accommodation was great with comfortable beds and a clean environment.
All meals were provided and were delicious.
The bird life on the Island was truely amazing. We did both walks to the peaks. The Okupe Vallley Track on the second day was probably my favourite . We took our time and were rewarded with an abundance of birds especially Whiteheads (Popokotea) with their beautiful song. (The Wilkinson Track was not an easy walk for all. It was long and suitable for fit people, if you are carrying an injury you will probably wont get to the top in our experience. But well worth the effort if you are able). Most of the bird life was on the lower to middle slopes of the walks anyway.
We were lucky and saw two Little Spotted Kiwi and a Little Blue Penguin on our night time walk.
The guides and Host were very friendly and very knowledgeable and made the trip all the more enjoyable.
My only disappointment was that the Kakas and Wekas around our accommodation who we were warned about, did not annoy us in anyway at all!
I would highly recommend this trip.
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
A bucket list experience!
Discover55617697018, September 2026
Our overnight trip to Kapiti Island was a an incredible experience. The wonderful team looking after us were welcoming, friendly, knowledgeable and made our stay easy and enjoyable. The accommodation was comfortable and food was amazing. It was interesting finding out about the history of the Island and the wildlife, and we got to see a kiwi on our night excursion which was a special moment. The birdlife was amazing around the lodge and around the walking tracks. It was a fabulous weekend and we would thoroughly recommend. Thank you so much to our lovely hosts. Nga mihi nui
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Just the best experience!
OtakiScotland, July 2026
Kāpiti Nature Tours recently sponsored a trip over to the Island for the Otaki Scholar from Robert Gordon's College, Aberdeen Scotland, and two of our Heads of School. Kāpiti Nature Tours have generously sponsored this trip for around 10 years now and every time the students come back off the Island saying that this is one of the most unique and amazing things they have done. If is certainly a highlight for the Scholar who is the 83rd Scholar to visit Aotearoa so it is a significant tradition. Apart from the scenery and bird life they encounter they also rave about the way they are looked after and the food they have while on the overnight stay. A huge thanks to John Barrett and his whanau for sponsoring our students! In closing, from personal experience and the feedback from our students this is a must do on anyone's bucket list!
★★★★★ Tripadvisor review
Beautiful dawn chorus
Resort54753683700, May 2026
To stay overnight at Kapiti Island was such a bonus to the experience. The guides, hospitality, hosts, accommodation and meals where welcoming. All aspects of our stay was attended to and meet needs of the group with mobility, and dietary considerations. We loved our stay and would recommend it to anyone. The dawn chorus was well worth being there in the morning.
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