KAITAIA ECO TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Catch & Kai: Surfcasting, Sandboarding and a Kai Moana Day on 90 Mile Beach
A full-day Māori-led tour from Kaitaia that blends hands-on fishing and shellfish gathering with sandboarding and a traditional beach cook-up.
Catch & Kai: Surfcasting, Sandboarding and a Kai Moana Day on 90 Mile Beach.
Join Māori guides for a full day of fishing, shellfish gathering and sandboarding on the wild sweep of 90 Mile Beach, learning kai moana and kai whenua traditions while moving between dunes, surf and shoreline cook-ups.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Learn Traditional Kai Moana Practices
Local whānau guides lead hands-on sessions in surfcasting, traditional drag-netting and shellfish gathering, sharing the food-gathering practices of the Far North.
Fish and Gather on 90 Mile Beach
The itinerary centres on 90 Mile Beach where participants fish, collect tuatua at low tide and — weather and tide permitting — may take part in an optional kina dive.
Dunes, Sandboarding and a Shared Cook-Up
After gathering kai, the day includes sandboarding at the Te Paki Dunes and a communal picnic cook-up on the beach if a catch is made.
What the day feels like
What the day feels like
This is a hands-on, full-day cultural and adventure outing: morning pick-ups and a 4×4 drive to 90 Mile Beach, followed by surfcasting and traditional netting, low-tide tuatua gathering (with an optional kina dive), a picnic cook-up when there’s a catch, sandboarding on the Te Paki Dunes and time to swim and relax before late‑afternoon drop-offs.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this day tour suits — and what to watch for.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Full-day tour running 8–10 hours; expect morning pick-ups with return drop-offs in the late afternoon.
Swimwear and towel; sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses; weather-appropriate and warm clothing; refillable water bottle.
Transport, gear and lunch are included; pick-ups from Taipa and Mangōnui are standard with optional pickup points available for additional fees.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Catch & Kai day tour?
The tour is a full day, approximately 8–10 hours.
Where does the tour start and are pickups provided?
Morning pick-ups are from Taipa and Mangōnui; optional pickups from Paihia (+$60pp) and Kerikeri town/airport (+$50pp) are available.
What activities are included during the day?
Activities include surfcasting, traditional drag-netting, tuatua gathering at low tide (and an optional kina dive), sandboarding at Te Paki Dunes, and a picnic cook-up if a catch is made.
Are transport, gear and food provided?
Yes — transport, gear and lunch are included with the tour.
What should I bring?
Bring swimwear and a towel, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses, weather-appropriate and warm clothing, and a refillable water bottle.
Can the itinerary change?
Yes—tide and weather conditions can affect activities and the operator may change the sequence or content of the day for safety.