Our guided trip programme is suspended until further notice, as FOMI no longer has access to a boat.

We run weekend guided trips to Mana Island. These depart from Mana Marina, Porirua.

What is a guided trip like?

Read comments from our visitors …

How much does it cost?

• • $50 per person for members of Friends of Mana Island
  • $60 for non-members.
  • $25 for children under 14 for members
  • $30 for children under 14 for non-members

There is a limit of 6 children per trip at these prices.

What does the trip involve?

The boat trip takes 20 minutes. Upon landing, our trained volunteer guides will take you around the island and provide information about the many highlights. This includes historical information as well as details about the restoration projects, current activities and wildlife.

From the top of the island there are great views of the South Island, Kapiti Island, Makara wind turbines and more. We stop for lunch along the way.

The guided walk takes about 4 to 4 1/2 hours. The walk requires a reasonable level of fitness with some hill tracks. This includes a steep climb for 30-40 minutes.

Or you may decide to stay on the lower areas of the island or just go at your own pace. We have self-guided brochures available for this.

When can I go?

Visiting Mana Island is a very popular day excursion, and the boat usually fills up quickly.

If a trip is full there are often spaces at the last minute, so it’s worth wait-listing on a full trip if the date suits you.

How to visit

• • Book your spot by sending email that includes your mobile number to guidedtrips.manaisland@gmail.com.
  • Confirm your place on the boat by sending the names for everyone in your party and a mobile phone number to guidedtrips.manaisland@gmail.com.
  • Specially chartered trips may be available on other dates. Please contact us by email to discuss.
  • Timings – You will need to be at Mana Marina at 8.30am for a 9am departure. The boat will leave the island around 3pm, to return to Mana Marina at about 3.30pm.
  • Payment is via our bank account the Monday before your weekend trip. After Wednesday, we reserve the right to not refund your payment, unless we cancel the trip.

Preparing for the trip

You will need to bring all your own water, lunch and snacks.

Be prepared for heat, cold, sun, wind, and rain. Mana Island is very exposed and the weather can change quickly. Four seasons in one day!

Cancellations

The trip is weather dependent and may be cancelled the day before if there is too much wind or swell – you will receive a full refund or rebooking if this happens.

The trip will also be cancelled if we can’t get the minimum number, although this doesn’t often happen! We can’t afford to make a loss on the trip.

Meet at Mana Marina to catch the boat

Meet your guides at the Mana Marina carpark. There is free parking available. It is a two-minute walk from here to the boat. Please don’t go directly to the boat. We need to do a biosecurity check in the carpark.

Biosecurity on the island

Mana Island is predator free and it is vital that it remains this way. Please read the biosecurity information from DOC below:

How to clean your gear, pack your lunch before the trip – ready for the biosecurity check-  describes how to make sure you don’t bring any unwanted seeds, pests, rodents on to the island. Your guide will help with these checks.

Also – Rodent control on Mana – describes the measures used by DoC on Mana Island, including the use of brodifocoum.

This article about Argentine ants on the Kapiti Coast illustrates why our biosecurity rules are so important.

Facilities on the island

There are toilets located near the boat landing place.

Make sure you bring enough water and food for the day as there are no supplies for visitors to the island.

Self-guided trail around Mana Island

If you would like to walk around the island without a guide, Friends of Mana Island has produced a brochure. It is available in the woolshed on the island, with a map. Or you can download and print both items before you visit:

• Self-guided trail brochure – the sites listed in this brochure match marker posts around the island.
• Map of Mana Island showing walking tracks – shows the range of tracks on the island, with sites of interest matching the self-guided trail brochure.

Department of Conservation information about Mana Island

DOC have a web page on Mana Island where you can find their Mana Island fact sheet and other info.

An island pests brochure from DOC outlines how to help protect New Zealand’s offshore islands from pest animals, plants and insects.

Friends of Mana Island wish you a very enjoyable visit to the island!