Beach Landing to Shelter on Kapiti Island

Walking time

5 min

Length

193m

Uses

Walking/Running

Type

Single track

Walking difficulty

Easiest: Easy access short walk

Profile

9m highest point

Dogs

About the trail

Beach Landing to Shelter starts at the beach end on Kapiti Island, and finishes at the junction just before the north end visitor shelter. After arriving on shore at the northern end landing point, you will have a 30-minute introductory talk explaining the history and ecology of the island.

If you just want to chill out here, the beach is a lovely spot for a picnic, swim or snorkel in Waiorua Bay.

The north end is a major breeding site for seabirds. You may spot threatened species including the black shag, the caspian tern, the pied shag and the variable oystercatcher. The predator free nesting habitat is also home to little blue penguins, red-billed gulls, white-fronted terns, and the reef heron.

Getting there

You can only visit Kapiti Island through Kapiti Island Nature Tours. Boat trips and tours leave from Kāpiti Boating Club at Paraparaumu Beach. This is a popular destination so book in advance.
It's a 45 minute drive or train journey from Wellington to Paraparaumu. There are regular train services to Paraparaumu on the Kapiti Line. Check Metlink for timetables.

Know before you go

Get ready using Plan My Walk for track alerts, weather forecasts, trip reviews, and a packing list.
A shelter, toilets and picnic facilities are available.
Ensure that your belongings are placed out of reach of weka and kaka - they are very inquisitive and are experts at getting into bags.
Take warm waterproof clothing, durable footwear, sunscreen, food, and water.
Be ready to leave the island at the departure time announced by your boat skipper.
Everything on the island is protected, and nothing may be removed. This includes plant material, insects, lizards, birds, feathers and shells.
Do not feed birds and other wildlife.
Remove all your rubbish from the island. Carry out what you carry in.
Keep to the marked tracks.
Biosecurity rules require food to be carried in sealed containers, rubbish taken out with you and all your gear checked prior to departure.

Four people are disembarking from a small boat on a rocky beach under a bright blue sky with white fluffy clouds.

Boat trips and tours leave from Kāpiti Boating Club at Paraparaumu Beach.

Rangatira Loop Walk

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve trailsA pleasant, easy stroll on a well-formed trail through regenerating forest and coastal shrubland. Find abundant native birdlife, including the critically endangered takahē.

Trig Track

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve trailsA challenging and steep climb to Tūteremoana, the highest point on Kapiti Island.

Wilkinson Track

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve trailsClimb this well-formed track to Tūteremoana, the highest point on Kapiti Island. Enjoy stunning views of the Kāpiti Coast, South Island, Mt Taranaki, and Mt Ruapehu.

Boulder Bank Loop Track

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve trailsA short, scenic coastal trail around the beautiful freshwater Ōkupe Lagoon on Kapiti Island.

Okupe Valley Loop Track

Kapiti Island Nature Reserve trailsAn easy loop track through grassland, shrubland and regenerating forest up to the lookout point on Kapiti Island.

A child and adult in the bush looking into the trees and pointing.

Kohekohe Walk

Hemi Matenga Scenic ReserveHead to Waikanae to walk through one of the largest remaining kohekohe forests in New Zealand.

Waikanae Estuary

Explore the trail through one of New Zealand’s most nationally-significant native habitats, where you can encounter more than 60 species of birds, along with freshwater and marine fish species.