Kapiti Marine Reserve
Located in the Wellington/Kapiti region
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Introduction
Kapiti Marine Reserve is popular for its abundant sea life including blue moki, kingfish, seals and dolphins. It's also home for some top dive spots include the Hole-in-the-Wall underwater archway.For tide, boundaries and other information you can download the MarineMate app.
Find things to do and places to stay Kapiti Marine Reserve
Kapiti Island and its surrounding waters are noted for strong tidal rips and changeable weather – sea conditions can quickly become treacherous. Obtain an up-to-date marine forecast before boating in the reserve.
The marine reserve is popular with divers. On the exposed seaward side of the island, the reef extends to 25 m and divers can pass through the underwater Hole-in-the-Wall.
On the mainland side, divers and snorkelers can explore the sponge gardens and seaweed beds.
Kapiti's waters include reef fish like blue moki, kingfish and various rays and sometimes rare and subtropical fish such as the spotted black groper. Protected great white sharks and basking sharks have occasionally been sighted by divers around the island.
Whales and dolphins are regular visitors and many seabirds can be seen too, such as gulls, gannets, penguins and perhaps a fairy prion or Arctic skua and flocks of terns feeding on sprats.
You can kayak to explore the marine reserve but you cannot land on Kapiti Island.
Kapiti Marine Reserve is 30 km from Wellington city and is located between Paraparaumu and Waikanae beaches and Kapiti Island.
The marine reserve touches the mainland at the Waikanae River mouth. Foot access to the reserve is from Waikanae Beach or Paraparaumu Beach on either side of the Waikanae Estuary and river mouth. There are walking tracks through Waikanae Estuary.
If you would like to visit Kapiti Island or wish to snorkel from its shores, you need to travel to the island with one of the authorised boat services and ensure you have a valid day visit permit. See Kapiti Island Nature Reserve for more information about visiting the island.
Kāpiti Marine Reserve connects Kāpiti Island Nature Reserve with the Waikanae Estuary Scientific Reserve. This brings two major sea currents together: the cold southern current and the warm d’Urville current. This results in a unique environment, full of species that are typically only found further south or further north.
Rich habitats and unique reefs
Under the waves around Kāpiti Island are a huge variety of sea-beds. These include soft sediments with burrowing crabs and sea cucumbers, and beds of seaweed providing habitat for fish and kōura (rock lobster).
There are also stretches of sea anemones that snapper feed on. And deep rocky reefs encrusted with sponges. Rare rhodolith beds (or ‘ocean tumbleweeds’) are also found here, which provide for a huge diversity of wildlife.
You can explore under the waves with LEARNZ virtual field trip.
Little penguins/Kororā
Kororā return a nesting site at the reserve every year. They come to hatch their eggs often just meters from where they were raised. When they’re breeding, they’re at their most vulnerable. Meeting people, roads, and dogs can threaten their survival.
You might see them at the reserve when they’re ashore between May and June or November and March. Remember to give them plenty of space as they’re easily disturbed. If you want to see them up close, check out the Kapiti Kororā Cam.
Find out about the Māori history of the waters between Kapiti Island and the mainland.
Protect our marine reserves
- No fishing of any kind.
- Don't take or kill marine life.
- Don't remove or disturb any marine life or materials.
- Don't feed fish - it disturbs their natural behaviour.
- Take care when anchoring to avoid damaging the sea floor.
Contacts
| Wellington/Kapiti information | |
| Phone: | +64 3 546 9339 |
| Email: | nelsonvc@doc.govt.nz |
| About: | Whakatū/Nelson Visitor Centre provides visitor information for this area |
