Reviews and travel ratings on Kapiti Island Alive in New Zealand (94% from 106 reviews)
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karenpa
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.
Patricia B6
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.
Boscombe74
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.
Fabienne
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!
Emma Brooks
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.
patrickr
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
airbornejase
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!
Kim Everett
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!
John Maz
Ranking: 10/10
Ive always wanted to spend some time on Kapiti Island and "do the fauna / flora" thing ... for years Ive wanted to !
I w…
Ive always wanted to spend some time on Kapiti Island and "do the fauna / flora" thing ... for years Ive wanted to !
I was not prepared for having my senses be assaulted by the constant barrage of native bird song, and the birds themselves.
This was an Easter weekend I'll remember for a long time - in as much for the pure exhilaration of enjoying the bush, nature and exercise - but also the generous hospitality shown by the folks at the Kapiti Island Lodge. Nothing was a problem, the accommodation, food and company were most enjoyable.
To John, Sue & Minnie and co - many thanks. Its not often you get your teenage son saying it was a "great weekend" - and posting bird pictures and commentary on facebook within an hour of getting home!
Well done guys - and thanks again.
I highly recommend this trip on the back of our personal experience.
Chris Lloyd
Ranking: 9/10
Probably one of the best New Zealand experiences I have had in 30 years. The highlight, aside from the birds, was the in…
Probably one of the best New Zealand experiences I have had in 30 years. The highlight, aside from the birds, was the interaction with both staff and operators of the resort. There attitude and knowledge of birds and culture were worth the trip alone!.
Bruce54617
Ranking: 10/10
First rate natural history experience and we were made most welcome
First rate natural history experience and we were made most welcome
Rob Wickham
Ranking: 10/10
Simply stunning. What a great place to visit. The bird life was everything I had hoped for and the accommodation comfort…
Simply stunning. What a great place to visit. The bird life was everything I had hoped for and the accommodation comfortable. As for the food - couldn't have asked for more. I didn't really need more but it was too nice to leave alone. Thank you all for sharing your magical island home with me and I hope to return one day. Ma te Atua kotuou e manaaki.
Marlene Levine
Ranking: 10/10
We enjoyed our day trip to Kapiti Island (with a delightful lunch and a really interesting guided tour) so much that we …
We enjoyed our day trip to Kapiti Island (with a delightful lunch and a really interesting guided tour) so much that we are planning to go back and stay overnight so we can see the little spotted kiwi and hear the dawn chorus. Part of the pleasure of the visit was meeting the neatest people - staff, owners and other tourists - and getting to talk to them over lunch.
Wellington (North Island, NZ)