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Cape Reinga New Zealand is a crown jewel, the spiritual and stunning northern tip of the country. For Maori, Cape Reinga is where a person’s spirit comes after death and departs for their eternal home. For visitors, it also offers spectacular ocean views including an impressive meeting of two seas.

Although driving to Cape Reinga is easy, bus tours from the Bay of Islands are really popular. In a day trip, the tour will drive on the sand along the ninety-mile beach, allow time for sliding down the giant sand dunes, visit the lighthouse, stop for lunch, and include plenty of legends and stories.

Check Pricing and Availability on a tour to Cape Reinga
(from Auckland or from the Bay of Island)

TOUR FROM FEATURES DURATION
3-Day Bay of Islands Tour & Cape Reinga Auckland 3 day commentated tour by coach
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
White sand beaches
Accommodation in Paihia
Cruise to Cape Brett
Cape Reinga		 3 days
Cape Reinga & 90-Mile Beach Tour Paihia Sandboarding
Cape Reinga lighthouse
Puketi Kauri Forest
90 Mile beach		 11.5 hrs
Cape Reinga Tour and Scenic Flight Paihia (minibus and plane) Scenic flight
Cape Reinga
Sandboarding		 4.5 hrs
Bay of Islands Skydive Paihia or Kerikeri Skydive over the bay of islands
40 seconds freefall from 12,000 ft		 2 to 4 hrs
Far North Tour with 90 Mile Beach & Cape Reinga Paihia Sandboarding
Buffet lunch
Cape Reinga lighthouse
90 Mile Beach		 10 hrs
Walking path to the lighthouse at Cape Reinga, the top of the North Island in New Zealand
Walking path to the lighthouse. It is often the first New Zealand light seen by approaching ships.
The famous lighthouse at Cape Reinga, the top of the North Island in New Zealand
Cape Reinga is frequently identified in tourist books by this famous lighthouse and sign pointing to major destinations around the world.
The northern tip of 90 mile beach in New Zealand
Looking to the west: The spit of land in the distance is Cape Maria Van Diemen, the northern tip of 90-Mile beach. The big beach you see is Te Werahi Beach, still in the Tasman Sea.
View from the Cape Reinga at the top of the North Island of New Zealand
View to the east, looking at the Pacific Ocean and Spirits Bay.

The Meeting of the Seas

At Cape Reinga, two oceans meet. To the west and separating it from Australia (2000km away) is the Tasman Sea. On the east is the southern Pacific Ocean. The line at the meeting of the seas, where the Tasman sea meets the Pacific Ocean is clearly visible at Cape Reinga.

A Maori Legend

Cape Reinga marks the separation of the Tasman Sea from the Pacific Ocean. For Maori, these turbulent waters are where the male sea Te Moana Tapokopoko a Tawhaki meets the female sea Te Tai o Whitireia.

The Whirlpools where the currents clash are like those that dance in the wake of a waka (canoe). They represent the coming together of male and female, and the creation of life.

A closer view of the meeting of the seas:

The meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean at the top of the North Island of New Zealand
I believe Cape Reinga is one of a few places in the world where you can see two major bodies of water coming together. Seeing the meeting of the seas tops most visitors list of things to do in Cape Reinga.

More Cape Reinga Images

A sparrow on a flax plant in New Zealand
A sparrow on a flax plant.
A lone tree with a spiritual story spotted on the rocks from the walking path to Cape Reinga on the North Island of New Zealand
The rocky point jutting out to sea is the place where the spirits enter the underworld. The spirits descend to the water on steps formed by the ancient Kahika tree clinging to the rock.
The lighthouse and meeting of the seas at Cape Reinga in New Zealand
This was actually our first views of the lighthouse and meeting of the seas.

Practical Information on visiting the top of the North Island

  • While often thought of as the most northern point in the country, it isn’t. Surville Cliffs are the actual most Northern point and sit 30km east of Cape Reinga.
  • It takes about 90 minutes to drive the 120km from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga. There is so much to see and do along the way that most people allocate at least a full day, stopping to eat, to swim, to drive on the beach, to sandboard or to walk through the ancient buried forest.
  • Cape Reinga is on sacred grounds and should be left undisturbed. The welcome sign also asks visitors to follow the tikanga (custom) of not eating or drinking while you are here.
  • Cape Reinga is considered to be the most spiritual place for all Maori
  • There are many walking trails from here ranging from the 10-minute walk to the lighthouse to the stunning 3-4 day Te Paki Coastal walk.

Where to Stay in Cape Reinga

There are not a lot of options. Most people visit as a day trip from the Bay of Islands or take an extended hiking/camping trip staying in their own tents. If you prefer a bed, these are our recommendations.

Tekao Lodge is the closest location, although 42 km from the top. A backpacker style accommodation with some private rooms with their own bathrooms.

→ Check availability and pricing at the Tekao Lodge

Pukenui Lodge is 70 km from the Cape. Here you will find both lodge and motel options, or stay at the nearby Pukenui Campground.

→ Check availability and pricing at Pukenui Lodge

We opted to stay 129 km away in Cable Bay at the Golden Sands Beach Front Apartments. It was lovely. We had our own two bedroom unit, right on the beach. If you don’t mind the drive, it is our top recommendation.

→ Check availability and pricing at the Golden Sands Beach Front Apartments

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The famous lighthouse at Cape Reinga, the top of the North Island in New Zealand

Have you been to Cape Reinga? Have you seen anything like the meeting of the seas?

***Don’t miss our recommended self-drive itinerary around the top of the North Island (from Auckland to Cape Reinga). And if it’s your first visit to New Zealand, you will want to read this. ***

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About Rhonda Albom

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Z.R. Southcombe

    Happy New Year! (It’s not too late… right??) Cape Reinga is beautiful, and it really does feel like a spiritually ‘heavy’ place (to me, anyway). Beautiful photos as always – thanks, Rhonda.

    Reply

  2. Ursula

    I must admit, I have never been to New Zealand. Thanks for this article with the great photos.
    It is always amazing to the bodies of water coming together. I saw it at Cape Agulhas in South Africa, the southernmost point of the African continent. It marks the boundary between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

    Reply

  5. XmasDolly

    Thank you so very much for stopping by & what beautiful beautiful pictures from down under. Sometimes I get caught up in the moment and just look and look and look at all your wonderful pictures and pretend I’m there. Soooooooooo awesome you’re a great photographer you make me feel that I’m actually there with you! HUGS and have a great weekend!

    Reply

  21. Joy @MyTravelingJoys

    Really lovely photos! Last month, we visited NZ for the first time but focused on the South Island. Hopefully, we’ll get to the north another time. We also visited the southern most tip of mainland Australia (Cape Otway) recently and it’s interesting to think Antarctica is just on the other side of the sea! 😉

    Reply

    • Rhonda Albom

      The South Island is magnificent, and I think has some of the most spectacular scenes in the country. If you don’t have a lot of time to visit, you probably made a good choice. Of course for your next visit, maybe some time for the North Island.

      Reply

  22. Larry

    It’s cool how the waters of entire oceans clash with each other at certain points … interesting to hear about Cape Reinga’s spiritual significance as well!

    Reply

  34. Hilary

    Hi Rhonda – amazing lighthouse .. so pristine – love the directional signs too. Gosh what a fantastic place to visit … gorgeous in more ways than one. I love the way the Oceans meet – they have their own personalities … then the reaching out of the left-over land to Cape Maria van Diemen – that’s wonderful. No wonder one needs at least a day to be around and see the sights …

    Glorious – cheers Hilary

    Reply

  41. Lexa Cain

    This is gorgeous! I would totally live here if it was allowed (along with millions of others who I’m sure would also like to, which would kinda take the beauty out it). Thanks so much for the wonderful pictures and the explanations of the sea and ocean meeting place. It looks pretty peaceful there at the moment — are there hurricanes or tropical storms often?

    Reply

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