Kaiteriteri Beach, Abel Tasman | Top 150 Bikini Destinations
KAITERITERI, NELSON/TASMAN / NEW ZEALAND
Golden sand at
Kaiteriteri Beach.
Start on the sand, then follow the coast by foot or water taxi.
Plan your beach day ↘TOP 150 BIKINI DESTINATIONS / NELSON/TASMAN
A beach day
at the park’s edge.
Kaiteriteri Beach is a golden crescent on Tasman Bay, a short drive north of Motueka at the top of New Zealand’s South Island.
Give yourself a morning on the sand and a separate day for the Abel Tasman Coast Track. The village has food and supplies beside the beach, and water taxis leave from the bay.
ON THE WORLD MAP
The top of the South Island
Kaiteriteri Beach, Kaiteriteri, Nelson/Tasman
01 / GETTING THERE
Start in Nelson.
The waterfront approach
Kaiteriteri’s sand runs below a wooded rocky point.
Photo: Tony Hisgett · CC BY 2.0Get around Kaiteriteri and Motueka
Walk the village waterfront once you arrive. For groceries and more places to eat, head back to Motueka. Public parking near the beach fills quickly on summer and holiday mornings.
On the beach
Check the council’s water-quality guidance and posted notices before you swim. Keep clear of the boat ramp and marked navigation lanes. Beach status ↗
02 / BEACH ESSENTIALS
Know before you go.
A village beach with a restaurant, takeaway food, a grocery store, public restrooms, and kayak operators close to the sand.
01 / HOW TO GET THERE
Motueka to the waterfront
Drive north from Motueka via Riwaka. Allow about 15 minutes in light traffic. Follow the signs for public parking and arrive early on summer weekends. Check posted restrictions before leaving your car.
Kaiteriteri parking ↗02 / BEACH ACCESS
From the road to the sand
The beach runs alongside the waterfront road and is a short walk from public parking. A stroller can use the paved edge before you reach soft sand. Ask the reserve about current step-free access and its beach wheelchair before traveling.
03 / THE SAND
Golden sand below wooded points
The main stretch is sandy, with rocks near the headlands. Bring sandals for hot sand and keep children away from the rocks when waves wash across them.
04 / FOOD & WATER
A store and meals by the beach
The reserve lists a grocery store, café, and waterfront restaurant. Check seasonal hours before you go. Bring a filled bottle for the beach and a picnic if you’re arriving before businesses open.
05 / CHAIRS & UMBRELLAS
Pack your own shade
Bring your own chair and umbrella or a shade shelter you can secure in a breeze. The open sand has little shade around midday.
06 / RESTROOMS & SHOWERS
Public toilets near the ramp
Look for public restrooms on the road frontage near the boat ramp. The reserve also lists showers for campground guests. Ask the reserve about current public shower and accessible changing facilities.
03 / THE BEACH
A day at Kaiteriteri Beach.
Watch the bay wake up
Kayaks head out past the rocky point at the edge of the beach.
Photo: Tony Hisgett · CC BY 2.001 / ARRIVE
Start by the waterfront
Walk the curve of the bay before choosing a spot and check where the boat lanes are marked.
02 / SWIM
Stay in the swimming area
Check water quality and posted signs before getting in, especially after rain.
03 / WALK
Head toward Little Kaiteriteri
Follow the reserve’s walking route to the next bay for another view of Tasman Bay.
04 / PADDLE
Ask about wind and tides
If you plan to paddle, use a local operator and get a briefing for the conditions that day.
Start on the sand, take a late-morning walk to Little Kaiteriteri, and return for lunch. If rain or wind cancels your water plans, head into Motueka or spend the afternoon at the Suter Art Gallery in Nelson.
04 / NEARBY BEACHES
Four coves within 10 km.
Little Kaiteriteri and Dummy Bay lie south of the main beach. Honeymoon Bay and Anchorage lie to the north.
Little Kaiteriteri Beach
A broad sandy shore just around the headland. Follow the reserve’s walking route from Kaiteriteri.
- Best for
- A short beach walk
- Facilities
- Use the main reserve for food and supplies
- Good to know
- Check signs before entering the water.
Honeymoon Bay
A small pocket of sand between rocks and bush, a short walk north from the main beach.
- Best for
- A quiet stop at low tide
- Facilities
- Bring water and use facilities at the main beach
- Good to know
- Check the tide and give wet rocks a wide berth.
Dummy Bay
A small bay south of Little Kaiteriteri. The path approaches from the hillside, and the available sand changes with the tide.
- Best for
- Coastal views and a short walk
- Facilities
- Bring your own food and water
- Good to know
- Check access and tide before setting out.
Anchorage Bay
A long sweep of sand below the Coast Track. Arrive on foot from Mārahau or book a water taxi.
- Best for
- A Coast Track day with time on the sand
- Facilities
- DOC toilets, hut, and campsite
- Good to know
- Confirm your pickup and bring drinking water.
Distances are straight-line from Kaiteriteri Beach. Facilities change by season, so check on the day.
05 / MUST-SEE PLACES
Three ways to see Abel Tasman.
01 / MĀRAHAU
Abel Tasman Coast Track
Start at the Mārahau causeway for an out-and-back walk, or go one way to Anchorage and return by water taxi. Check track alerts, daylight, and the relevant tide windows before setting out.
DOC track guide ↗02 / KAITERITERI
Water taxi and Split Apple Rock
Leave from Kaiteriteri and choose a sailing that passes Tokangawhā, the split granite boulder just offshore. If you plan to walk part of the Coast Track, reserve your pickup as well as your drop-off.
Wilsons sailing timetable ↗03 / WHAKATŪ NELSON
An afternoon in Nelson
Walk up Trafalgar Street to the Church Steps, then head toward Queens Gardens and the Suter Art Gallery. Keep this day for when the bay is too windy to paddle.
The Suter Art Gallery ↗EXPLORE THE AREA
Kaiteriteri Beach and Abel Tasman.
The pin sits on the main beach. Zoom out for Little Kaiteriteri to the south and the coastline north toward Mārahau.
Open the interactive map ↗BEYOND THE BEACH
Between the bay and town.
Make time for Motueka’s High Street, the granite coast, and a day in Nelson.
Motueka High Street
Pick up food for a picnic or walk the shops and cafés in town.
Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk · CC BY 3.0
Tokangawhā / Split Apple Rock
The split granite boulder sits offshore between Kaiteriteri and Mārahau.
Photo: Wikibphil · CC BY-SA 4.0
Falls River
A suspension bridge carries the Coast Track across the river.
Photo: (WT/de) Thorsten · CC BY-SA 1.0
Whakatū Nelson
The Church Steps connect the cathedral with Trafalgar Street below.
Photo: Stug.stug · CC BY-SA 3.006 / SIX HOTELS
Find your base.
MĀRAHAU
Mārahau Beach Camp
$ Budget · About NZ$53–58 per night for a site for one or two
A tent or campervan base by Mārahau Beach. Drive from Kaiteriteri rather than walking the winding road between the villages.
Mārahau Beach Camp official site ↗MOTUEKA
Motueka TOP 10 Holiday Park
$ Budget · From NZ$97 per site per night over the peak holiday dates
Camp close to Motueka’s shops and stock up before the roughly 15-minute drive to Kaiteriteri Beach.
Motueka TOP 10 Holiday Park official site ↗TASMAN VILLAGE
Nelson Coastal Barnstay
$$ Mid-Range · About NZ$160–230 per night for two, depending on season
A self-contained base on the Ruby Coast side of Motueka. It suits visitors who want a kitchen and plan to drive to the beach.
Nelson Coastal Barnstay official site ↗NELSON MARINA
Harbourside Nelson
$$ Mid-Range · About NZ$355 for two in a direct-booking sample
Rooms near Nelson’s marina make it easy to spend the evening in the city before the drive around Tasman Bay.
Harbourside Nelson official site ↗KAITERITERI HILLSIDE
Kimi Ora Eco Resort
$$$ Upscale · Spa suites from about NZ$325 per night
Book a spa suite if you want a quiet hillside base within walking distance of the waterfront. Check the uphill return if you have limited mobility.
Kimi Ora Eco Resort official site ↗AWAROA
Awaroa Lodge
$$$$ Luxury · Low-season packages from about NZ$1,240–1,360 for two nights
Stay inside the national park and plan your transfers around the boat and tide. The lodge is a separate overnight base from Kaiteriteri Beach.
Awaroa Lodge official site ↗
WHEN TO GO
Choose the day you want.
Summer brings warmer beach days. Spring and fall can suit walking if you pack for rain and wind. Check water quality and posted signs on the day, and confirm patrols locally. Climate normals ↗
07 / FOOD, LANGUAGE & LOCAL LIFE
From sand to table.
From Tasman Bay
The shore at Motueka changes with the tide.
Photo: Man21 · CC BY-SA 3.0What to order
Look for green-lipped mussels or the catch of the day, local apples and berries in season, and Nelson Tasman cider or beer.
Local habits
Bring a layer over swimwear for meals indoors. Cards are widely used. Take your picnic waste with you, and use the reserve’s sorting bins where available.
A LITTLE TE REO MĀORI
Useful on the beach and in town.
- Kia ora
- Hello
- Mōrena
- Good morning
- Ngā mihi
- Thanks or greetings
- Ka kite
- See you
SIX RESTAURANTS
Where to eat.
KAITERITERI WATERFRONT
Gone Burgers
$ Budget · About NZ$22–24 for a burger on the published sample menu
Take a burger and fries back to the waterfront. Check seasonal takeaway service with the reserve.
Gone Burgers official site ↗MOTUEKA HIGH STREET
Coops Cafe
$ Budget · About NZ$10–19 for a sandwich or burger
Stop on High Street for a toastie or a fish burger before heading back toward the beach.
Coops Cafe official site ↗MĀRAHAU WATERFRONT
Hooked Cafe
$$ Mid-Range · About NZ$31–45 for selected dinner mains
Come for a meal overlooking the water after walking from the Mārahau trailhead. Check the cafe’s seasonal schedule and book ahead for a group.
Hooked Cafe official site ↗MĀPUA WHARF
The Jellyfish
$$ Mid-Range · About NZ$32–38 for selected lunch mains
Take a table at the wharf for seafood, burgers, or salads. Reserve if you’re visiting over a holiday weekend.
The Jellyfish official site ↗SUNRISE VALLEY
Moutere Hills Restaurant
$$$ Upscale · About NZ$28–32 for selected mains on the sample menu
Pause at the cellar door and restaurant near Upper Moutere. Ask which dishes are on the current menu and reserve ahead for a weekend lunch.
Moutere Hills Restaurant official site ↗CENTRAL NELSON
Hopgood’s & Co.
$$$$ Luxury · About NZ$135 per person for the five-course tasting menu
Book a table on Trafalgar Street for a seasonal dinner. The kitchen changes the menu as local produce comes in.
Hopgood’s & Co. official site ↗08 / NELSON/TASMAN AFTER DARK
Three bars.
Townshend Brewery
Try a locally brewed pint at the Motueka taproom. Check the brewery’s site for opening information. Townshend Brewery ↗
Eddyline Brewery Taproom
Stop for a beer on your way back around the bay. Check the operator’s venue page for the Richmond location. Eddyline taprooms ↗
Sprig + Fern Hardy Street
Stop on Hardy Street for Nelson-brewed beer or cider. Check the tavern’s site for live music and quiz nights. Sprig + Fern Hardy Street ↗
Stay in central Nelson for an evening you can do on foot. If you’re staying by the beach, arrange a ride or designate a driver before heading into town.
09 / SHOPPING
Meet the makers around Tasman Bay.
KAITERITERI · TAPU BAY
Bartlett and Gold Home Gallery
See Katie Gold’s clay art and Owen Bartlett’s pottery at their home gallery, and ask which pieces are available to take home.
Hours By prior arrangement; the gallery is not open every day, so contact the artists before visiting.
Arrange a Bartlett and Gold visit ↗MOTUEKA · DECKS RESERVE
Motueka Sunday Market
Browse local crafts, produce and secondhand finds at the market on Wallace Street.
Hours Sunday 8 a.m.–1 p.m.; closed on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
Motueka Sunday Market information ↗NELSON · MONTGOMERY SQUARE
Nelson Saturday Market
Meet regional makers selling crafts, clothing and artisan food at Montgomery Square.
Hours Saturday 8 a.m.–1 p.m., year-round; closed on religious holidays.
Nelson Market visits and hours ↗Carry a small amount of cash alongside a card for market purchases, and declare any food, plant or untreated wood products when entering a country that requires it.
10 / NELSON/TASMAN EVENT CALENDAR & MONEY
Plan around the celebrations.
Waka Te Tasman
In spring, crews gather at Kaiteriteri for waka ama races on Tasman Bay. Check the host’s event information for spectator access and race updates.
Waka Te Tasman official site ↗Nelson Arts Festival
In spring, Whakatū Nelson hosts performances, exhibitions, and talks around the city. Check the festival program for ticketed events and free sessions.
Nelson Arts Festival ↗Currency / New Zealand dollar
Prices are in New Zealand dollars (NZD or NZ$). Carry a card and some cash for small purchases. The Kaiteriteri Store lists an ATM.
Kaiteriteri Store ↗11 / WHAT TO WEAR
Pack for sand and track.
THE ABEL TASMAN KIT
Swim.
Walk.
Stay out.
On the sand
Wear the Kaiteriteri Copper bikini with a loose shirt, a brimmed hat, and sunscreen.
On the track
Choose shoes with grip, carry a light rain layer, and pack a dry bag if you’re taking a water taxi.
In town
A light sweater and dry shoes will make dinner more comfortable after the sea breeze picks up.
12 / BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Good to know.
Which airport should I use?
Fly into Nelson Airport and allow about an hour to drive to Kaiteriteri.
Can I swim at Kaiteriteri Beach?
Check current water quality and signs. Use the designated swimming areas and stay away from the boat ramp and channels. If flags are up, swim between them.
Is the beach step-free?
The waterfront is a short walk from parking, but there is soft sand at the shore. Ask the reserve about the accessible route and the current beach-wheelchair arrangements.
Can I start the Coast Track at Kaiteriteri?
Use a water taxi from Kaiteriteri or travel by road to the Mārahau trailhead. If you take a boat, confirm where and when you’ll be picked up.
Can I see Split Apple Rock in a day?
Yes. Choose a cruise or paddle that passes the rock, or check official access information for the walk down to the nearby beach.
FOG & FOUNDRY / SWIM
Copper coast.
A scoop-neck top in terracotta, sage, ochre, and teal pairs with a high-waisted sage bottom.
Explore the matching high-waisted bikini ↗
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