Hawkes Bay & Napier Shore Excursion: Art Deco & Honey Tasting

Manuka honey tastes different when you taste it where it's made.

A 4-hour shore excursion from Napier port through Hawkes Bay farmland, river valleys and vineyards, with a local guide who has spent 19 years on these roads. You stop at Arataki honey for over 10 tastings of world-famous Manuka honey, climb to the 399-meter Tematat peak for 360-degree views of the region, and finish in Napier's Art Deco town. Pickup from the port is included. Seats are strictly limited and must be booked in advance.

Step-by-step itinerary

Discover Hawkes Bay and Napier highlights

• Travel scenic roads in New Zealand
• See 360-degree view from Temata peak
• Visit Arataki honey and taste honey
• Explore Napier Art Deco town

The experience

The tour starts at Napier port and moves through some of the best scenic roads in the North Island, passing sheep, cattle and deer farms, orchards, vineyards and market gardens. Your guide, a 19-year veteran of Napier tours, stops frequently for photographs as the landscape shifts from pastoral valleys to elevated vantage points. The route is built around what grows here and how the land is used, not around a checklist of landmarks.

The honey tasting at Arataki in Havelock North is the centerpiece: over 10 free tastings of Manuka honey and other regional varieties, so you get to taste the difference between grades and origins. From there, you drive to Tematat peak, the highest drivable lookout in the region at 399 meters, where the view spans the whole of Hawke's Bay. The final stop is Napier itself, where the guide walks you through the town's Art Deco architecture: a legacy of the 1931 earthquake and rebuild that makes Napier visually distinct from anywhere else in New Zealand.

Transport is by air-conditioned minivan or luxury coach depending on group size, with bottled water provided and live commentary throughout. The tour runs 4 hours total from port pickup to return, timed to fit a port call. A minimum of 2 people per tour applies. Single travelers should contact the operator to check availability.

What’s included

• Local guide with 19 years of experience in the region.
• air-conditioned minivan or luxury coach transport.
• bottled water.
• over 10 honey tastings at Arataki.
• port pickup and return.
• live commentary throughout the tour.
• all taxes and fees.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (under 12)

GroupUp to 22

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 3 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.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 levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Hawkes Bay Scenic Tours

Is this one for you?The tour runs 4 hours at a steady pace with frequent stops for photographs and tastings, so it suits travelers who want to see the region without a full-day commitment and don't mind a mix of driving and short walks through farmland and town.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 12).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly do you taste at the honey tasting?

Arataki offers over 10 free tastings of Manuka honey and other regional varieties, so you sample different grades and origins to understand what makes Manuka honey distinctive and how it differs from other types.

How high is Tematat peak and what can you see from the top?

Tematat peak stands at 399 meters and is the highest drivable lookout in the Hawkes Bay region, with 360-degree views across the entire bay and surrounding farmland.

Does the tour include pickup from the cruise ship?

Yes, pickup is included directly from Napier port and the tour returns you there before departure. The 4-hour itinerary is timed to fit a port call.

What is Napier's Art Deco architecture and why is it there?

Napier was rebuilt in Art Deco style after a devastating 1931 earthquake destroyed the original town, making it one of the most cohesive Art Deco cities in the world. The guide covers this history and points out the architectural details as you walk through the town.

Can I book this tour if I'm traveling alone?

A minimum of 2 people per tour is required, but single travelers should contact the operator to ask about availability or potential group bookings.