Kapiti Island lies five kilometres off the Kapiti coastline. The island is an internationally famed nature reserve protecting some of New Zealand’s most endangered birds.
To learn more about Kapiti Island's history and environment, please click here to take you to the Department of Conservation's website.
It's possible to visit this stunning island, with two options for visitors: day or overnight visits.
Day visits
These are to the Department of Conservation's Nature Reserve, which occupies the majority of the island.
To protect the unique environment, which is pest and predator-free, only 50 people are allowed on Kapiti Island each day.
Visits may be made every day except Christmas Day, and bookings are heavy during the summer months. You will need to arrange a permit from the Department of Conservation to visit the island, then book boat transport.
Permits and bookings to visit Kapiti Island
You must apply in advance for a permit to visit Kapiti Island's Nature Reserve. These are available from the Department of Conservation.
Phone: (04) 472-7356
Email: kapiti.island@doc.govt.nz
Overnight visits
The Nature Lodge operates in the north of the island on the 13 hectares of land around Waiorua Bay retained by tangata whenua. With the biggest population of the nocturnal Little Spotted Kiwi in the world, an overnight stay on Kapiti is also a unique opportunity to see this endangered species in its natural habitat.
Kapiti Alive
Phone: (06) 362-6606
Mobile: (021) 126-7525
Fax: (06) 364-5828
Email: minnie@kapitiislandalive.co.nz
Website: www.kapitiislandalive.co.nz
Services: Nature and heritage tours; overnight stays at the Nature Lodge.
Boat transport to Kapiti Island
The journey to the island is about 10 minutes by boat and passes through a Department of Conservation Marine Reserve where dolphins, whales, seals and seabirds can sometimes be seen.
There are two privately-operated ferry services licensed to take passengers to Kapiti Isand. Both depart from Paraparaumu Beach next to the Paraparaumu Boating Club and bookings are essential:
Kapiti Marine Charter
Freephone: 0800 433 779
Phone: (04) 297-2585
Fax: (04) 297-2586
Email: kapitimarinecharter@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.kapitimarinecharter.co.nz
Services: Boat trips to Kapiti Island
Kapiti Tours Ltd
Phone: 0800 KAPITI (0800 527 484)
Fax: (04) 238-4529
Email: info@kapititours.co.nz
Website: www.kapititours.co.nz
Services: Boat trips to Kapiti Island; guided walks on the island; scenic tours, Marine Reserve tours.
The Kapiti Island Visitor Register
The Kapiti Island Visitor Register shows intended visits to the island. To view the Register, which contains details of proposed visits, click on the title below:
Kapiti Island Visitor Register 2009 (14.4kb, 4 pages)
Kapiti Island Visitor Register 2008 (18kb, 6 pages)
Kapiti Island Visitor Register 2007 (15kb, 6 pages)
Kapiti Island Visitor Register 2006 (10kb, 6 pages)
Kapiti Island Visitor Register 2005 (35kb, 10 pages)
Kapiti Island Visitor Register 2004 (45.3kb, 9 pages)
Kapiti Island Visitor Register 2003 (77.9kb, 13 pages)