Kapiti Island: Overnight Wildlife Tour & Night Kiwi Walk

4.94

(432 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest — I booked the Kapiti Island overnight tour mostly out of curiosity. There’s something about an island with no cars or shops, just birds and bush and this sense of hush you don’t get on the mainland. The ferry from Paraparaumu Beach was quick, maybe 20 minutes, but stepping onto the sand at Rangatira felt like crossing into another world. Our guide, Hana, was waiting with this easy smile and a packed lunch (which I devoured embarrassingly fast — hiking makes me hungry). She started pointing out tūī calls before I’d even noticed a single bird. It’s weird how quickly your ears tune in.

The walk up Tuteremoana is no joke — I thought my legs were ready but the last bit is steep and rooty. Still, the view from the top… well, I’m not sure any photo would do it justice. You can see all the way back to the coast and it’s just endless green below. Hana told us about the first Māori who landed here and how they cleared rats from the island; she made it sound like both a battle and a love story. By late afternoon we were at Waiorua Lodge with cold local beer in hand (I tried to pronounce “Kererū” right but failed spectacularly). Dinner was warm and simple — fish, greens, something sweet for dessert — but honestly it tasted better than most restaurants because you’re hungry from walking all day.

The night walk is what stuck with me most. It’s pitch black except for our red torches, and suddenly there’s this rustling in the undergrowth — a tiny brown kiwi just shuffling along like we’re not even there. Someone whispered “wow” but mostly we all just held our breath. I’ve never heard so many different bird calls at once; ruru somewhere close by, then Kaka screeching further off. Back in my cabin later, I fell asleep listening to those sounds through thin walls — kind of magical but also very real (and yes, I woke up when something thumped on my roof).

Next morning started early with hot coffee and sunrise over Waiorua Bay — pink sky reflected in wet sand. The second day was slower: more walking if you wanted (I did), or just sitting outside watching weka poke around for crumbs. Before catching the ferry back that afternoon I kept thinking how rare it is to feel so far away without really being far at all. Still can’t believe how loud those birds are.