Activities in Kapiti Marine Reserve
Kapiti Island and Waikanae Estuary
Activities in the reserve
In the water
Diver amongst Ecklonia radiata
seaweed, Kapiti Island Marine Reserve
The underwater scenery within the marine reserve is generally regarded as some of the finest in the greater Wellington region and one of the best ways to get close to the fishlife is to get into the water. Those with a mask and snorkel could explore the rocks close to the shore of Kapiti Island. Scuba diving is the most rewarding on the western side and north end of the Island.
There are some remarkable natural features, such as the rock archway on the western side of the island known as the Hole in the Wall. It is also unusual to find the three common marine habitats of the Marlborough Sounds and Wellington region in such a confined area. The boulder bottom, sheltered reef, and sand bottom habitats are home to a rich variety of marine life. Orange and yellow sponges, some very rare, colour the reefs and luxuriant seaweed beds feed kina and paua. Starfish, corals, anemones, octopus and reef fish such as butterfish, blue cod and red mullet are also residents of these waters.
Visitors to Kapiti's exceptionally clear waters include ocean fish like blue moki and kingfish and on occasions rare and subtropical fish such as the spotted black groper, drumfish and magpie perch.
On the water
Some wildlife is best viewed from the water. Fur seals use Arapawaiti at the northern end of the Island as a winter hauling ground. Offshore, in deep water, they feed on squid and schooling fish such as lantern fish until they migrate south again to breed. Whales and dolphins are also regular visitors to these waters and can be spotted from a boat, launch or sea-kayak. Many birds can be seen too, such as gulls, gannets, penguins and perhaps a fairy prion or Arctic skua and flocks of terns feeding on sprats.
On foot
Waikanae Estuary and Paraparaumu Beach are good places to see wading birds such as variable oyster catchers, and banded dotterels, digging for worms and shellfish in the tidal zone. Caspian terns are often encountered. They are the largest of the terns and have a stout red bill. In spring, look closely to see whitebait swimming up the mouth of the Waikanae River.
On the shores of Kapiti Island Nature Reserve, which are only accessible by permit, you may see black shags and little shags fanning their wings to dry, or blackbacked gulls nesting on rock stacks during spring and early summer. Little blue penguins cross the beach at night, to reach their nesting burrows from the sea, and their tracks and droppings can often be seen along the beaches. Eagle rays sometimes bask in the shallows close to shore.
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