Soak in the charm of Kaiteriteri

Consistently voted New Zealand’s # Family Beach, Kaiteriteri is a much loved holiday spot for thousands of Kiwis, with family traditions and beachside memories often stretching back generations.

Summer brings a lively buzz, with families swimming in the sea, lazing on the sand, and paddling kayaks around the bay. If you are lucky, you might even spot a waka gliding into the water, oars raised in greeting. Ask a local though, and many will tell you Kaiteriteri really shines outside the peak summer months.

Autumn, winter, and spring offer calm waters, crisp but mild days, and unforgettable sunrises and sunsets viewed from the beach or a balcony. Wildlife is more active, the pace slows right down, and the bay feels like a true natural sanctuary.

Kaiteriteri is also a key gateway to Abel Tasman National Park. Water taxis, cruises, waka and sea kayak trips head out from the beach, while just over the hill in Mārahau you can join the Abel Tasman Coast Track on foot and start your adventure from there.

The Kaiteriteri to Motueka section of Tasman’s Great Taste Trail is widely regarded as the most beautiful part of the journey and makes an ideal day trip if you want a taste of what the trail is all about. Setting off from the lively Motueka township, the trail winds along quiet country lanes, past apple orchards and roadside fruit stalls, before reaching the coast and the golden sands of Kaiteriteri.

For those keen to add a bit of adventure, the Kaiteriteri MTB Park sits just above the beach. This expansive recreation reserve offers trails for all abilities, from easy beginner loops to more technical rides, with sweeping views across Abel Tasman National Park as your reward.