Cape Reinga Fly/Drive Tour by Aeroplane

The best way to see Cape Reinga, a New Zealand must-do!

Cape Reinga Half Day Tour by aeroplane

“Amazing experience – highly recommended!“
Julie, Auckland NZ – DEC 2020

Cape Reinga Half Day Tour – NZ$495* Per Person

The initial stage of the tour consists of a 45 minute flight up to Cape Reinga via Northlands’ spectacular harbours, such as the Whangaroa Harbour and the Rangaunu Harbour. We also pass across some beautiful beaches such as Coopers Beach, Doubtless Bay and of course the famous Ninety Mile Beach. From Ninety Mile Beach we then fly inland where we land at our airfield, which is only 20km from the Cape Reinga lighthouse.

Once on the ground a comfortable air-conditioned mini-bus will meet the aircraft. It will take you on a 2½ vehicle hour tour around the top of New Zealand.

Vehicle Tour Includes:

The Cape Reinga Lighthouse where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean
A short drive to Tapotupotu Bay where we enjoy a light morning tea with refreshments. There is time for a stroll on the beach
Then we move across to the Te Paki quicksand stream with its giant sand dunes

The return 1 hour flight to the Bay of Islands includes some of the most spectacular coastal scenery Northland has to offer. You will fly over the Parengarenga Harbour and Great Exhibition Bay, which are only visible by air or by sea. This area is very remote and without a doubt one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand with it’s pure white silica sand and crystal clear water. The flight also passes across the Houhora Harbour, the Cavalli islands, Kauri Cliff’s golf course and the spectacular Bay of Islands.

*Please note all departures are subject to weather and minimum 2 passengers.

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Secure Online Bookings with no upfront payment required, simply book online with your credit card details to confirm it which won’t be charged until the day of your booking.

TOUR SCHEDULE & LOCATION

Operates Daily subject to demand and weather. Departs Kerikeri airport at 8.30am, checkin at 8.15am in the main terminal, returning at approximately 1.05pm. The meeting point in the terminal is at the arrivals end, near the baggage claim area. Look for the Salt Air Meeting point signage.

We also offer complimentary transfers from Paihia accommodation and Paihia Wharf for Russell Accommodation. Pick up in Paihia from about 7.45am, returning by 1.30pm.

Afternoon tours may be available subject to demand. Departs Kerikeri airport at 1.30pm, returning at approximately 5.45pm.

Note: Winter schedule (mid April to end of Sep): One tour daily departs Kerikeri airport at 9.00am, subject to demand. Currently during the winter months (June-September) our plane is unable to land up at Cape Reinga as the airstrip is too soft to land on.

Route Map

Tripadvisor Reviews

We regularly receive great reviews of this tour on our Tripadvisor page – check it out to see the most recent reviews.

So much more than we ever expected! September 2022
Had been to the Bay I’d Islands on a previous trip and had raved to those back home about its beauty. Having never gone further north than Matauri Bay we decided on the flight to Cape Reinga. After mucking the salt air crew around with a booking change that was altered without fuss we were on our way with our pilot Sam. Well, having already mentioned this region’s beauty from the ground – it was supercharged by the air. Equally the knowledge of our pilot Sam made it such a great learning experience way beyond what I expected. Well done Salt Air an absolute first class experience that can’t be missed

Memorable Must Do! – JAN2021
Spectacular views. A memorable experience, and one to remember. So worth it, especially for a milestone birthday experience. Best way to soak up those magnificent views. Special thanks to Sam our Pilot. Nice Landing. Very informative trip too, Sam shared a lot of information and knowledge about the scenic views, history and local areas. Such a nice guy, warm personality, so calm and accommodating during the flight and the stops in between. Had a lot of laughs and good conversation. Answered most of our 9 year old daughters many questions 🤣🙂. We had bad weather the original day of our booking, so once we got to the airport he had a chat with us, took our time and we re-booked for the next day. Just as well! Highly recommend this trip and Sam!

Wow!!
Hard to choose a favorite experience of our 3 week both islands New Zealand trip but this was one of the best. The flight not only cut the trip to Cape Reinga in half but it allowed us to see fantastic views of both coasts of Northland. Of course, Cape Reinga was the goal and it did not disappoint. Seeing the waves of the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea meet at the tip of the North Island and experiencing the emotions of being at a place of spiritual significance exceeded expectations. Our pilot Colin was friendly, knowledgeable, and nailed the grass airfield landing!

Highlight of our visit to the Bay of Islands! Excellent tour all around! From the van pick up in town, to the flight up and down the coast, to the van trip in the far north – Salt Air was a first class experience. Small group in a small fixed wing airplane designed for flight-seeing! You get what you pay for – amazing views, commentary and excellent pilot and tour guide (Brendan). Allowed us to see the far north of NZ without the long drive and experience Cape Reinga, a beautiful bay beach and the river drive and sand dune tobogganing! Do it!

Worth the money !This was a fabulous way to see the Cape Reinga and 90 mile beach. We took off from Keri Keri airport in a plane that held about 8 passengers. We had terrific views of the coast line, the rolling hills and farmlands that you would never get from the ground. Our pilot/van driver was a very nice young guy who had a great attitude and was very knowledgeable. This was one of the highlights of our trip. I know it is an expensive proposition but if you can swing it, I doubt you would be disappointed !

Air trip to Cape Reinga. If you can afford this, or even if you can’t, this is fabulous. The aerial view of 90 mile beach and the Bay of Islands are simply stunning. Daniel, our pilot, and Bruce, the minibus driver were knowledgeable, polite and fun. Afternoon tea on the beach is a great addition, but tobogganing down the sand-dunes caps a perfect half day. My wife and I are both over 50, and we took our daughter for her 21st birthday, and we all thought it was awesome…

Not to be missed. Ignore the cost. Best trip of the North ever! Salt Air trip up to the North cape and Cape Reinga is absolutely a must. Some people are put off by the cost. Travelling to NZ is expensive, getting to the Cape is cheap. Do it as it is a once in a lifetime trip. Great views of 90 mile beach on West coats and stay and see the crashing of the Tasman Sea into the Pacific Ocean where they meet. Then a trip in an immaculate 8 passenger van takes you to a beach for tea and snacks, followed by a unique experience sliding down the sand dunes on a snow sled. A must for all ages and easy to do. Then the trip back along the amazing East Pacific side coast with white silica sand beaches and other coves rocks and coastline to die for. A wonderful 4-1/2 experience. Highly recommend with great pilots and tour guides to boot. Learnt a lot and saw it all. fabulous.

The Stand-out Experience in North Island. My wife and I were lucky enough to be able to take the 1/2 day tour up to Cape Reinga from Pahia which included – Shuttle to airport, flight up the west coast [90 mile beach] in a fixed wing mono-plane, scenic drive to Cape Reinga and its iconic Lighthouse, then to the immense sand dunes, sand-boarding, tea and cookies on the beach, shuttle back to the airstrip and the a flight back down the east coast. It literally took our breath away. The drivers, guide, and pilot were all excellent with superb local knowledge, they made the trip one which we will remember as the best day on our recent trip to New Zealand.