Reviews and travel ratings on Kapiti Island Nature Tours in New Zealand (94% from 143 reviews)

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  1. johnBost's avatar

    John Bost

    United States

    If you are going camping in a van consider visiting the two charity shops in Glen Innes (Suburb of Auckland). We came away with very good pots, pans, duvet, wineglasses, etc at very good prices. We also bought a used single burner stove, but all the campgrounds have kitchens and most have BBQ's, so we haven't used it once!

    31 May 2010.

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Reviews for Kapiti Island Nature Tours

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Peetr's avatar

Peetr

Netherlands

Ranking: 7/10

Kapiti Island is great for bird lovers. The Kāpiti Island Nature Tours offers an overnight stay at a lodge at the North…

Kapiti Island is great for bird lovers. The Kāpiti Island Nature Tours offers an overnight stay at a lodge at the North End of the Island. At night there is a kiwi spotting tour. This is an adventure with no guarantee for success. Seeing a kiwi is special, but I found it a little bit of an disappointment after seeing a lot of other birds on the island, including the rare takahe. Photographing kiwis is very difficult.
The price of the arrangement is a bit high, as it doesn't include the ferry. But the people of Kāpiti Island Nature Tours are very, very friendly and make you feel at home.

Reviewed 28 December 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
Green's avatar

Green

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

My nephew and I were warmly welcomed and VERY well fed during our overnight stay on the island. There is a timelessness…

My nephew and I were warmly welcomed and VERY well fed during our overnight stay on the island. There is a timelessness that encourages one to relax and enjoy a more appreciative pace. We wandered for hours in the bush watching the birds and their antics, taking photos and just enjoying being out in nature. Kapiti is truely a taonga!

Reviewed 19 December 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
decado's avatar

decado

Germany

Ranking: 10/10

I initially booked a day trip to Waiorua Bay, but after a nice and interesting introduction and upon arrival at the lodg…

I initially booked a day trip to Waiorua Bay, but after a nice and interesting introduction and upon arrival at the lodge I decided to extend the trip and stay over night (fortunately this was possible due to some free beds).
It is hard to describe the 1.5 days with just words. John and the family at the lodge were so nice and friendly and open-hearted I immediately felt like home. Combine this with the excitement of watching kiwis and takahe from a few feet distance, and Kaka landing on your shoulder, scenic views all over the place, and great food: You have to have the impression you spent two days in paradise.
I think i have never seen a place as peaceful and welcoming as the Kapiti Island Nature Lodge.

Reviewed 15 December 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
SJMcCarthy's avatar

SJMcCarthy

United States

Ranking: 10/10

We visited Rangotira before going to the other end to spend the night, and had a wonderful time at both places. The arra…

We visited Rangotira before going to the other end to spend the night, and had a wonderful time at both places. The arrangements (made by email) went off without a hitch. Our hosts kindly adapted themselves to our level of interest in and expertise about New Zealand birds (high and low, respectively). To be among so many exuberant native birds was astounding. We were lucky enough to see kiwis, although the walk looking for them was enjoyable it itself. (And, yes, the food was delicious.)

Reviewed 13 December 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
tpakai's avatar

tpakai

Australia

Ranking: 10/10

My nephew & I had a fantastic time! The beautiful weather, generous hospitality & laid back atmosphere of this family ru…

My nephew & I had a fantastic time! The beautiful weather, generous hospitality & laid back atmosphere of this family run venture will make it an experience that will stay with us for a very long time! Thank you, again, for allowing us to experience, for a brief while, what you are so lucky to be surrounded by every day!!

Reviewed 05 December 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
stephenwilliam d's avatar

stephenwilliam d

New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 9/10

The weather was not kind on our second day so our visit was cut short but the experience was great saw 3 kiwis in the wi…

The weather was not kind on our second day so our visit was cut short but the experience was great saw 3 kiwis in the wild, a penquin and numerous birds. Good grub and all staff were helpful in every way. Would recommend to anyone thinking of going. Good operators.

Reviewed 30 November 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
ryan 0091's avatar

ryan 0091

Canada

Ranking: 10/10

I had an excellent time at the North end of Kapiti. Minnie emailed me right after booking, which gave me confidence in t…

I had an excellent time at the North end of Kapiti. Minnie emailed me right after booking, which gave me confidence in the trip. Everyone was friendly and informative. A day I will never forget.

Reviewed 29 November 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
EdIsaac's avatar

EdIsaac

New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 9/10

Our island stay fully met our expectations while the hospitality (John and the rest of the staff) exceeded them. The we…

Our island stay fully met our expectations while the hospitality (John and the rest of the staff) exceeded them. The weather on the first day was superb which made our walk to the top at Rangitira a pleasant experience, and later, the kiwi-spotting a never-to-be forgotten highlight (under the expert guidance of our huntress, we got to see 3 kiwis in the wild!). The midnight spa bath under the stars just topped it all off. We were disappointed that we had to leave early the next day in what appeared to be (then) fine conditions, but within an hour of getting back to our home (overlooking the very same sea) we knew that the right decision had been taken.

We will definitely recommend the experience to our friends.

Reviewed 28 November 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
bwcp's avatar

bwcp

New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

What a fantastic experience and we will definitely return. A wonderful location to be "At One" with nature or simply get…

What a fantastic experience and we will definitely return. A wonderful location to be "At One" with nature or simply get away from the everyday stress of life. The hospitality was superb and we were lucky enough to get up close with a Little Spotted Kiwi. Would definitely recommend it to both NZers and Tourists

Reviewed 23 November 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
janreid's avatar

janreid

New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 10/10

I took 13 visitors from overseas to visit the North End of the island. The boat ride was pleasant,friendly boatee,we rec…

I took 13 visitors from overseas to visit the North End of the island. The boat ride was pleasant,friendly boatee,we received a very warm welcome, great scones /tea/coffee. We walked to the top of the point , saw lots of birds,enjoyed the sea scape and the views/took lots of photos.
The lunch which in included products from the sea and the garden was first class. The friendly, informative guided walk helped us to increase our knowledge of the flora and fauna and the history of the Island.
Jan Reid

Reviewed 21 November 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
ericjo's avatar

ericjo

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Everything worked perfectly, from the journey across to the island to the departure with all the staff of the lodge lini…

Everything worked perfectly, from the journey across to the island to the departure with all the staff of the lodge lining the shore to wave us goodbye. The guided tour of Rangatira Point was very instructive and gave us insights we would not have worked out for ourselves. The climb through the forest was magical and the sightings of birds enthralling - including the over-attentive kaka and wekas, who nearly robbed us of our food! The lodge at the north end was a delight - friendly and informative staff, who made us most welcome, combined with comfortable accommodation and sustaining food and company. The tours of the north end were different, but amazing -including successful nighttime kiwi hunt that was a high point for all of us. Our group ranged from 7 to 70 and all were accommodated, enthralled and educated with patience, understanding and sensitivity that was a joy. This experience is highly recommended to anyone who wants a reliable, enlightening and uplifting experience that gives a new perspective on the natural world and our relationship to it.

Reviewed 25 October 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
bonzer's avatar

bonzer

New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 8/10

Our group stayed the night at the north end of the island, hosted by kind, friendly and welcoming Minnie, Amo and family…

Our group stayed the night at the north end of the island, hosted by kind, friendly and welcoming Minnie, Amo and family/friends. After a welcoming cuppa and a general orientation we spent the day exploring the north end: climbing the hills, enjoying the beautiful (predominantly manuka) forest, the birdlife and coastal walk. We had a wholesome meal at night that included paua fritters and cod caught that afternoon. An enormous bonus to being the only few people staying on the island that night was that we chatted for hours with the family and felt very much at home. We curbed our chatting to go kiwi spotting shortly before midnight. Thanks to Minnie's sharp ear we had the pleasure of the company of two little spotted kiwi for many minutes. The next day we visited the DOC part of the island and climbed to the top, through the most beautiful forest filled with birdsong. We saw many of the birds that live on the island, with Weka being particularly friendly (just after food really). Our group of 3 had a wonderful time on the island and would recommend this visit.
Negatives:There was a strong possibility that we would not be able to visit the DOC part of Kapiti which we had planned on, due to a couple of factors, not least an undercurrent that the relationship between DOC and the North End is somewhat strained and traffic flow between the two is not simplistic. The other point is that lodging at the north end is overpriced in reality and thus would not encourage a return visit. It also precludes many who would otherwise very much appreciate visiting the north end.

Reviewed 13 October 2011

Kapiti Island Nature Tours
kapitigirl's avatar

kapitigirl

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

If there's one thing you do when you come to Wellington, go and stay the night on Kapiti Island. And if you think you've…

If there's one thing you do when you come to Wellington, go and stay the night on Kapiti Island. And if you think you've been to Kapiti Island, you haven't unless you've stayed the night at the north end. It's a nature experience that you can't get anywhere else...I missed it as soon as I got home. We went walking, kiwi spotting, saw three teeny baby weka chicks, ate fish caught the day before, woke to a dawn chorus of birds...and the hospitality is super lovely. It's worth every cent.

Reviewed 11 October 2011