Cape Reinga Half-Day Tour: Scenic Flight & Driving Tour

You land at an airstrip south of the lighthouse and walk to where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific.

A half-day tour of Cape Reinga on New Zealand's North Island combining a scenic flight over Ninety Mile Beach with a 2.5-hour guided driving tour. Hotel pickup from Paihia hotels is included. The flight lands at an airstrip near the lighthouse, and the driving portion stops at Tapotupotu Bay for refreshments. All departures depend on weather, and winter landings at Cape Reinga may be replaced with an extended scenic flight if conditions prevent it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Cape Reinga30m
2. Ninety Mile Beach10m

Cape Reinga scenic flight and tour

• Fly over Ninety Mile Beach
• Land at airstrip near lighthouse
• Visit Cape Reinga lighthouse
• Walk to see meeting of two seas
• Stop for refreshments at beach
• Stroll along the beach

The Experience

The tour runs four and a half hours total. You're picked up at your Paihia hotel and driven to the airstrip, then fly at lower levels over Ninety Mile Beach before landing south of the Cape Reinga lighthouse. From there, the guided driving portion takes you around the top end of New Zealand, with the main stop at Cape Reinga itself. You walk to the lighthouse and stand at the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean.

The vehicle tour includes a stop at Tapotupotu Bay, where you get refreshments and time to walk the beach. You'll also see the silica sand beaches of Parengarenga Harbour and Great Exhibition Bay from the road. The guide is live and speaks English, and the pace is built for small groups. Coffee and tea are provided during the day.

Weather controls the whole itinerary. Summer departures usually land at Cape Reinga as planned, but during winter months wet conditions may prevent the aircraft from landing there. On those days you fly an extended scenic route over the Cape area instead and skip the lighthouse visit. The operator confirms this upfront, so you know what to expect when you book.

What’s included

• Scenic flights to and from Cape Reinga.
• 2.5-hour guided driving tour around the top end of New Zealand.
• hotel pickup and drop-off at selected Paihia hotels.
• coffee and tea.

Days and timesDaily · 08:30 and 13:30

AgesAges 4+ · Under 4 — Free

Meeting point and pickupPickup optional · ends where it starts43 pickup points to choose from.Meeting point, per the operator: “The meeting point is in the arrivals end of Kerikeri Airport terminal.”

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Salt Air Limited

Is this one for you?Book this for a first morning or a free afternoon when you want to see the tip of the North Island without spending a full day driving: the flight cuts the travel time and the landing near the lighthouse puts you at the two seas meeting without the long drive from the Bay of Islands.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Under 4, free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What exactly happens during the scenic flight part of this tour?

The scenic flight takes you over Ninety Mile Beach at lower altitude before landing at an airstrip south of the Cape Reinga lighthouse. The flight is both the transport to the top of the North Island and the main aerial view of the coastline.

Can I walk around Cape Reinga once we land?

Yes. After landing, the driving tour brings you to Cape Reinga lighthouse, where you walk to the point where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean and can explore the area around the lighthouse.

What happens if the weather is bad and the plane can't land at Cape Reinga?

During winter months when wet weather prevents landing, the operator offers a two-hour extended scenic flight over the Cape area instead. You still get the aerial views but skip the ground visit to the lighthouse.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is not part of this tour. Coffee and tea are provided, and you stop at Tapotupotu Bay for refreshments and a beach walk, but you'll want to eat before or after the tour.

Where does the pickup happen, and what time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup is included from selected hotels in Paihia. Specific pickup times depend on your hotel location and the tour departure. Confirm the exact time when you book.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The walking at Cape Reinga and Tapotupotu Bay is at your own pace, and most of the journey is by vehicle or aircraft.