Pay less than $59 per day for three Cruise & Walk day passes to be used in any consecutive seven day period. Book your chosen travel the day before to secure the best trip for you, based around the weather and tides.
Pay less than $59 per day for three Cruise & Walk day passes to be used in any consecutive seven day period. Book your chosen travel the day before to secure the best trip for you, based around the weather and tides.
Receive three Cruise & Walk open day passes to be used anytime over a seven day period. Choose your option the day before travel.
Contact us to book your 3 Day Explorer Pass and discuss your options.
Here are some suggestions to experience as much of the park as you can over three days. These are recommended trips only – you can design your own adventure!
Day 1 Travel to the isolated northern beaches of the park. Cruise into Tonga Island Marine Reserve, pausing to view the antics at the seal colony. Disembark at historic Tonga Quarry, then walk along the golden sands of Onetahuti Beach and over a forested saddle to Awaroa for your pickup. Cruise north to Totaranui before returning to Kaiteriteri. If you prefer, disembark at Awaroa and explore the largest tidal estuary in the Park, instead of walking from Tonga Quarry |
Day 2 Choose a Cruise & Walk Option in the centre of the park, e.g. Swing Bridge, Bush and Beach Walk or Seals and Beach Walk |
Day 3 Cruise to Anchorage to spend relaxing day on the beach, explore the Pitt Head Loop Track or walk the easy southern section of the coastal track towards Marahau. The track winds through sunny forest groves with spectacular coastal views and side tracks to picturesque beaches overlooking the islands in the Astrolabe Roadstead. Pick up at Apple Tree Bay to return to Kaiteriteri. |
Coach transfers: your 3 Day Explorer Pass includes one day of return coach transfers between Motueka and Kaiteriteri. All other coach transfers are charged at advertised cost.
We enjoy glorious weather, summer and winter. Temperatures can be crisp in the mornings and cool in late afternoon with summer sea breezes. Bring a warm layer of wool or polar fleece and a light rain jacket to ensure your comfort.
Wear quick-dry, loose fitting clothing. You are walking beside the sea, so might have to roll up trousers and remove shoes for short tidal crossings.
The coastal track is well formed and mostly shaded by native forest. The track comes down onto golden-sand beaches fringed by lush native forest and protected azure waters - ideal for swimming.
Not recommended: Cotton clothing (especially denim) is very heavy and cold if it gets wet. It takes a long time to dry. Thermal, quick-dry fabrics are best e.g. polypropylene, polarfleece, wool.
We recommend a small day pack, with the following items:
The coastal track is well formed and walking sticks are not necessary. However, if you have weak leg joints, or poor balance, you might prefer to bring them.
For a delicious picnic lunch prepared for you and delivered to the boat, or to your kayak guide, please give us your order by 6 pm the night before your trip.
The menus below have vegetarian, vegan, gluten, nut and dairy-free options with similar ingredients, modified to suit special diets.
Classic picnic lunch (NZ$27 per person)
Lite picnic lunch (NZ$17 per person)
Standard or Vegetarian only
The Vista Cruise has a selection of hot and cold drinks (including beer and wine), ice creams, snacks and light meals. Click through to the Vista Cruise Menu.
You are welcome to bring your own lunch. Takeaway food is available at the Kaiteriteri departure point. Please allow extra time to choose your lunch. The shop can be busy when boats are departing.
There is one public restaurant/cafe in the park at Awaroa Lodge, open during the summer months. Please book directly with them by phoning 03 528 8758.
Available for groups of 10 to 26 people, click through for details of this very special lunch featuring local seafood (with vegetarian and no-seafood options)
Click here for details of barbecue lunches available in the park.
New Zealand MetService puts the Nelson/Motueka region amongst the sunniest places in the country with over 2,350 bright sunshine hours per year. Average rainfall in the Nelson region is 988mm (38inches) per year. This rises to about 1800mm as you travel north to Totaranui.
For Nelson's daily weather forecasts, visit the New Zealand MetService website.
Average air temperatures and rainfall through the year
Mean Daily |
Mean Daily |
Average Rain |
|
Summer (Dec/Jan/Feb) |
22/72 |
13/55 |
6 |
Autumn (Mar/Apr/May) |
18/64 |
8/46 |
8 |
Winter (Jun/Jul/Aug) |
13/55 |
3/37 |
10 |
Spring (Sept/Oct/Nov) |
17/63 |
7/45 |
10 |
Following Covid travel disruptions, local bus services for day trips have been suspended. Please contact us for solutions.
Kaiteriteri has free, all-day parking. During the busy holiday season (Dec 20 to end February) it can be difficult to find a convenient parking spot. Please allow at least 30 minutes to find a park and walk back to check-in 20 minutes before your scheduled departure.
Overnight parking at Kaiteriteri Beach:
Available free except for the busy holiday season 20 December to 18 February. During this time, limited free overnight parking is available in the trailer park on Martin Farm Road, 15 mins walk (1 km) from check in at Kaiteriteri.
Parking is not secure. To avoid temptation please do not leave valuables in your car.