Reviews and travel ratings on Kapiti Island Alive in New Zealand (95% from 111 reviews)

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  1. MaggieW's avatar

    maggie Webster

    from United Kingdom

    Do lots of research before you come. Take advice from those who know. Be prepared to ask questions and ask for help. N. Zealanders are very helpful and friendly. Need lots of bugspray. Sandflies are evil!!

    24 May 2010.

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Reviews for Kapiti Island Alive

Kapiti Island Alive
windypoint's avatar

windypoint

from New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 8/10

Great experience - Aotearoa the way it must have been...very friendly natives; human, avian, reptiles and even the local…

Great experience - Aotearoa the way it must have been...very friendly natives; human, avian, reptiles and even the local marine mammal.

Reviewed 06 September 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
molly77's avatar

molly77

from New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

This was a really unique and outstanding experience. The accommodation is basic, but you spend very little time in it a…

This was a really unique and outstanding experience. The accommodation is basic, but you spend very little time in it as there is so much to see on the island. The scenery and bird life are impressive. The family is hospitable and very interesting to talk to. A hot tub under a clear night sky brimming with stars was the perfect way to top it off.

Reviewed 06 September 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
raven123's avatar

raven123

from New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

We loved the beauty of this island sanctuary where birds live free of predators in the peaceful natural bush setting. W…

We loved the beauty of this island sanctuary where birds live free of predators in the peaceful natural bush setting. We also loved the relaxed and friendly atmosphere created by our hosts (Minnie, John, Amo and their whanau). We felt warmly included into their home, learned about some of the history of Kapiti and experienced the special delight of a walk under a starlit sky as we 'hunted' for kiwi! Thank you for this very special experience.

Reviewed 05 September 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
DickvandenOever's avatar

DickvandenOever

from New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 10/10

An Island where you step into the experience of how it was when there were no imported mammal species. An abundant bird …

An Island where you step into the experience of how it was when there were no imported mammal species. An abundant bird life like you never experienced. The Almost extinct Takahe at your feet. Saw the Little Spotted Kiwi during a night-spot. And the friendliness of the Maori family where you reside is amazing. When I asked them about it they said: For us it it normal to let you feel as you are at home. It is entangled in our system. We do that by nature. So don't tell anybody of this beautiful place.

Reviewed 18 August 2010 and experienced in January 2008

Kapiti Island Alive
Jaredputt's avatar

Jaredputt

from New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 10/10

Was a really awesome exerience. The kiwi spotting was the definite highlight with 3 good sightings but the other wildlif…

Was a really awesome exerience. The kiwi spotting was the definite highlight with 3 good sightings but the other wildlife and amazing scenery was just as impressive. Thanks alot to Minnie and Amo for the great hospitality, I will be back for some more of that seafood chowder it is simply one of the best things I've ever tasted.

Reviewed 16 August 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
karenpa's avatar

karenpa

from New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 9/10

This was truly a wonderful experience, with welcoming owners and clear guidelines for the experience. Brilliant stay, g…

This was truly a wonderful experience, with welcoming owners and clear guidelines for the experience. Brilliant stay, great trig trek, peace, comfort and ease of stay. Food wonderful (and as well we walked to balance out the tasty offerings!). Friendly folk, great kiwi spotting - a real privilege to visit this unique area. I am hesitant to criticize but felt the cost of $250 was a bit on the high side - however it would not have stopped me having this most wonderful experience. Thankyou Minnie and family.

Reviewed 20 May 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
Patricia B6's avatar

Patricia B6

from New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

We were made to feel very much at home from the moment we arrived, great food, and excellent hosts. And best of all we …

We were made to feel very much at home from the moment we arrived, great food, and excellent hosts. And best of all we were taken out on a walk at night and saw two kiwi, a unique experience.

Reviewed 20 May 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
Boscombe74's avatar

Boscombe74

from New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 9/10

My husband and I have spent a memorable (for all the right reasons) weekend on Kapiti - highlight being our time on the…

My husband and I have spent a memorable (for all the right reasons) weekend on Kapiti - highlight being our time on the North End with the Kapiti Island Alive team. We loved being amongst native wildlfe, getting away from it all and being very well looked after. Worth the investment and seeing kiwi for us in their natural environment is one of those moments in life we will always treasure. All NZers especially should experience this as part of our heritage and all tourists everywhere should come and enjoy a slice of real New Zealand.

Reviewed 17 May 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
Fabienne's avatar

Fabienne

from Belgium

Ranking: 10/10

I had a very nice stay at Kapiti Island. A very warm welcome, wonderful hosts, lovely scenery, heaps of birdlife, nice f…

I had a very nice stay at Kapiti Island. A very warm welcome, wonderful hosts, lovely scenery, heaps of birdlife, nice food etc..
The guided kiwi walk was great. We walked for hours but did not stop until we saw one. Thanks Minnie. The island is a very nice and "something special" stay while driving along the highway from or to Wellington. Great stuff!

Reviewed 13 April 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
Merlyn's avatar

Emma Brooks

from New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Awesome experience and very overwhelming. The abundence of bird life is just amazing. The weather was brilliant. We visi…

Awesome experience and very overwhelming. The abundence of bird life is just amazing. The weather was brilliant. We visited both ends of the island and stayed overnight in the lodge. The team at the lodge were lovely and worth every cent. The food was great and I tried to take the cook home but she wasn't keen! I saw real live Kiwi in their own habitat and not through glass in the museum or zoo! I thoroughly recomend it. Best way to spend my 40th birthday. But be aware of the Weka - i was done over within 5 minutes of being on the island. The only way to save your belongings is to have a padlock on every zip or hang your bag up high on the hooks. they are so quick and very clever - do not underestimate them.

Reviewed 13 April 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
patrickr's avatar

patrickr

from New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

a wonderful weekend with perfect hosts and great kiwis and other birdlife all in tranquil beautiful island, definitely …

a wonderful weekend with perfect hosts and great kiwis and other birdlife all in tranquil beautiful island, definitely one of the best experiences we have had in NZ getting to see kiwi on the bush walk in the wild and so close was something to remember

Reviewed 12 April 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
airbornejase's avatar

airbornejase

from New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

We live on an island, and when ever we pass by the Kapiti coast we look across to Kapiti Island and wonder what it is li…

We live on an island, and when ever we pass by the Kapiti coast we look across to Kapiti Island and wonder what it is like out there. Recently we left the mainland to visit the mysterious Island where we were greeted by wekas roaming on the beach, and Takahe foraging in the tussock grass, and in the dark under a maze of stars we were amazed to find Kiwis in their natural environment! The local hospitality is great, the bird life is abundant, and the scenery is awesome... Kapiti Island, an amazing place!

Reviewed 11 April 2010

Kapiti Island Alive
keverett's avatar

Kim Everett

from New Zealand, Aotearoa

Ranking: 10/10

Like most Wellingtonians, I’ve longed to venture over to Kapiti Island as we’ve driven past on SH1. Well now I’ve…

Like most Wellingtonians, I’ve longed to venture over to Kapiti Island as we’ve driven past on SH1. Well now I’ve done it and what a truly amazing and unforgettable experience the Island offers its visitors – from the efficient organisation and local knowledge of all involved, the natural beauty of the Island itself, the amazing birdlife enjoying the freedom of their natural habitat to the welcoming hospitality of John, Sue and Amo, their family and their team that make Kapiti Lodge what it is.
For my first visit to the Island and I know I was lucky on three counts:
1. I was able to share this unique and wonderful NZ experience with my Mum visiting from the UK;
2. We stayed overnight at Kapiti Lodge enjoying the coastal beauty and birdlife of the North End, night-time Kiwi spotting, good company and great food; and
3. The Kapiti weather was superb for early April!
Now that I’ve done it I can’t wait to get back and escape once again to Kapiti Island.
Get over there!

Reviewed 10 April 2010