Image: DOC
Home Bay, Motutapu Island.
Motutapu Island

Located in the Auckland region

At 178 million years old Motutapu is one of the oldest land masses in the Hauraki Gulf. The island has lived an exciting life – it was intensively settled by Maori, it hosted massive Victorian picnic parties, and was a base during WWll.

Now, following the world's largest island pest eradication programme, it's a fine place to see native birds including the rare and beautiful tieke.

Motutapu is directly behind Rangitoto in Auckland's Hauraki Gulf and joined to it by a causeway.

Access to Motutapu is by public passenger ferry, charter boat, charter boat, private boat, or kayak.

There is a wharf at Home Bay. Rangitoto's Islington Bay Wharf is also near the island's western end.

Public passenger ferry and private charter

Ferry service is limited. The public passenger ferry operators that travel to this island only maintain a limited service.

If you are chartering a commercial vessel to the island, check the operator has a Pest-Free Warrant. Commercial vessels that use the wharf will also need a wharf landing permit.

Find authorised transport operators to this island.

Private boat

Safe anchorages for private boats include Islington Bay (Rangitoto) and Home Bay on Motutapu.

Kayak

Motutapu is accessible to very experienced kayakers. It takes approximately three hours to kayak to Home Bay from Mission Bay. Several kayak operators offer kayak rentals and guided kayak tours to Motutapu. See the Commercial Operators section.

Be prepared when visiting Motutapu Island

  • There is no public transport on the island.
  • There are no shops on the island. The Reid Homestead at Home Bay may open at times and has drinks and food available.
  • Take care on the beaches of Motutapu. Do not to disturb nesting birds from September to March.
  • Beware of wasps and sandflies.

Portable gas cookers are only permitted at Home Bay Campground, there is a total fire ban elsewhere. No bonfires or campfires permitted.

Rules for the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park

These are part of the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park by-laws. Read the full by-laws.

Motutapu Island gun emplacement closures

Gun Emplacements 1, 2 and 3, Howitzer Camp, Miniature Range, and Searchlight Emplacement 2 – Western are closed to public access due to safety issues. 

All drone use must be authorised by DOC

You must have a permit to fly a drone on public conservation land.

Visit our Drone use on conservation land page for more information.

During its varied past Motutapu has been intensively settled and cultivated by Maori, hosted Victoria picnic parties of over 10,000 people, and at times during WWII was a base for more than 1,000 military personnel.

Remnants of this varied history can still be seen including sites of kainga (villages), pa (earthwork fortifications), kumara storage pits, former gardens, and middens (food refuge deposits). You can also visit the Reid Homestead, one of the last of the early farmhouses on the island and now a Visitors Centre, and explore WWII sites.