At any time of the year, standing on Kaiteriteri beach in the morning sun looking out at the bay will make your spirit soar. While it’s the perfect place to begin your journey by sea into the Abel Tasman National Park, it’s also the perfect place to linger, relax, and enjoy this truly stunning part of Nelson Tasman.

Kaiteriteri is a beloved holiday destination for many thousands of New Zealanders, with family memories and traditions often stretching back through the generations. With a range of accommodation including motels, lodges and campgrounds, and an array of extraordinary activities right on your doorstep, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy here.

During the summer months, you can join holiday-makers and families bathing on the beach, swimming in the sea, or paddling a kayak around the bay. If you're lucky, you may even see a waka (Māori canoe) gliding into the bay with its oars raised in greeting. But many locals will tell you Kaiteriteri is best visited in the autumn, winter, and spring months. The Kaiteriteri sunsets and sunrises are extraordinary to watch from the beach or a balcony, the water is at its calmest, the weather is crisp and cool but still mild, and the wildlife comes out to play, making it the perfect time to explore this natural sanctuary.

Many water taxis, larger boats, and sea kayak companies depart from Kaiteriteri, taking visitors deeper into the park, but you can also head over the hill to Marahau to connect on foot with the start of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track.

Alternatively, the Kaiteriteri to Motueka section of Tasman's Great Taste Trail, one of New Zealands great rides, is often mentioned as the most beautiful part of the trail and is an ideal day trip for those who just want a small ‘taste’ of what the trail has to offer. As you depart the vibrant Motueka township, you'll weave along pretty country lanes past roadside fruit stalls and apple orchards, before arriving at the picturesque seaside.

The Kaiteriteri Mountain Bike Park is also an option for those who want to explore Kaiteriteri’s stunning recreation reserve, and its views over the Abel Tasman National Park. There are trails here to suit all mountain biking abilities, from beginner right through to expert.

So whether you choose to swim, take a scenic stroll, tear up the mountain bike trails, go for a leisurely cycle, or taste fresh, local produce at the beachfront cafes or restaurants, we guarantee you won't want to leave, and that you'll be eager to return. 

The places that make up the Nelson Tasman region are each remarkable in their own right, and if you have the time to explore, you'll discover a wealth of extraordinary experiences right at your fingertips.

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