Take your time to cruise in style and comfort from Kaiteriteri to Tonga Quarry and return.
Call into popular beaches, see the famous Split Apple Rock, view sea birds and seals along the coast and around Tonga and Adele Islands.
Please note the map below shows the full cruise to Totaranui but the 10.30 departure travels up the coast to Tonga Quarry and then returns down the coast.
Cruise Kaiteriteri - Tonga Is Marine Reserve return. Includes all the highlights: Split Apple Rock, seals, and beach stop at Anchorage Beach.
| 10.00am Check in at Kaiteriteri ticket office. If you have already exchanged your booking confirmation for a boarding ticket, please check in at the boat. |
| 10.30am Vista cruise departs Kaiteriteri |
| 10.50am Split Apple Rock |
| 11.15â11.30am Anchorage and Torrent Bay |
| 11.55am Medlands Beach and Bark Bay |
| Midday View Tonga Island Seal Colony in the marine reserve |
| 12.10pm Boat turns around at Tonga Quarry |
| 12.40 - 3.35pm Anchorage Beach |
| Enjoy a beach stop at Anchorage Beach. For group bookings, you can stay onboard the boat to return to Kaiteriteri at 2.40pm. |
| 4.15pm Kaiteriteri |
To return to Kaiteriteri at 12.55pm, cruise to Medlands Beach (arrive 11.55am) then transfer to the southbound Vista Cruise to return.
For a delicious picnic lunch prepared for you and delivered to the boat, or to your kayak guide, please give us your order by 5 pm the night before your trip. Standard, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, and Dairy-free/Vegan options available.
Classic picnic lunch (NZ$27 per person)
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.
Click here for details of barbecue lunches available in the park.
We recommend a small day pack, with the following items:
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 |
| Day Trips: Boat Timetable with Cruise & Walk Options (PDF) |
| Day Trips: Map and Sea Kayaking Options (PDF) |
For day trips, the Better Bus provides Nelson-Kaiteriteri-Marahau bus connections. Schedules meet our 9.20 am Vista Cruise departure from Kaiteriteri and the 4.15 pm return to Kaiteriteri. Contact us to book the service to suit your itinerary.
Go to Bus Connections for more details and costs.
Lodge-based overnight trips include transfers on our own coach. We pick up from main accommodation providers in Nelson city, and along Highway 60 between Nelson and Motueka.
Being on the wrong side of 60 and not into hiking we chose to take the 4 hour Wilsons boat trip from Kaiteriteri. Some amazing photo ops and a very informative crew who provided lots of interesting info as we cruised in and out of bays and made stops up to Totaranui and back.
There was also time at a couple of stops to get off and look around. You can even get off and catch a later boat if you wish to do some hiking. Highly recommended.
