From Bay to Cape: Salt Air’s Scenic Fly/Drive Tour to Cape Reinga Offers a Unique Opportunity to Soar Over Northland’s Coastline and Explore the Iconic Cape. If you’re seeking…
From Bay to Cape: Salt Air’s Scenic Fly/Drive Tour to Cape Reinga Offers a Unique Opportunity to Soar Over Northland’s Coastline and Explore the Iconic Cape.
If you’re seeking a one-of-a-kind way to explore the stunning landscapes of New Zealand’s Northland, Salt Air’s Cape Reinga fly/drive tour presents an unforgettable adventure. This tour merges the thrill of a scenic flight with the close-up experience of a guided drive, highlighting the region’s best from above and below. From the sweeping vistas of Ninety Mile Beach to the spiritual significance of Cape Reinga, this journey guarantees a rich mix of natural beauty and cultural heritage. Along the way, you’ll take a refreshing break at Tapotupotu Bay, one of Northland’s pristine beaches, and experience the exhilarating thrill of sandboarding down the towering dunes at Te Paki. Join me as I guide you through the highlights of this excellent tour, offering insights and tips to ensure you get the most out of your visit to New Zealand’s northernmost point.
About Salt Air
Salt Air is a family business that has been operating since December 1992. Its office is in the picturesque town of Paihia, in New Zealand’s Bay of Islands. Salt Air offers fixed-wing plane and helicopter tours around Northland (the tip of New Zealand’s North Island).
I booked my tour with Salt Air through Grand Pacific Tours, the company I travelled with through New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Grand Pacific Tours recommended a tour with Salt Air as an optional activity in Paihia for those who wanted a unique view of Northland and the Bay of Islands. That was me!
I chose Salt Air’s Cape Reinga Half Day Tour by Aeroplane, which offered scenic views of Northland’s interior, coast, and islands and an immersive experience at Cape Reinga.
Cape Reinga Half Day Tour by Aeroplane with Salt Air
Salt Air picked me up from Paihia Wharf with six other passengers at 12.30 pm. We then drove 20 minutes to Kerikeri Airport to begin our fly/drive tour in a seven-seater (plus pilot) fixed-wing plane.
Leaving Paihia on the 45-minute flight to Cape Reinga, Northland’s lush green hills gave way to the west coast’s famous Ninety Mile Beach, a natural wonder showcasing Northland’s rugged beauty. Despite its name, Ninety Mile Beach is only 55 miles (88 kilometres) long. The beach is an official highway best suited for 4WD vehicles driving on the hard-packed sand. However, on the afternoon of my scenic flight, the beach was deserted of cars and tourist buses.
Landing on a grass runway on a hill, we swapped the plane for a minivan, where our pilot became our driver and tour guide. Now, we began our guided vehicle tour, discovering the best the tip of New Zealand’s North Island had to offer.
Our first stop was at Cape Reinga and the iconic Cape Reinga Lighthouse.
Cape Reinga Te Rerenga Wairua is New Zealand’s northernmost accessible point and a place where Māori believe the spirits of the dead depart for their ancestral homeland. This dramatic headland, surrounded by wild coastal landscapes, is where the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean currents collide.
Perched at the tip of Cape Reinga, the iconic white lighthouse has been guiding ships through these waters since 1941. Its beacon is visible 35 kilometres out to sea. At 165 metres above sea level, the Cape Reinga Lighthouse provides stunning panoramic views of the vast ocean ahead and the rugged coastline. It is one of New Zealand’s most photographed landmarks.
The walk from the Cape Reinga car park to the lighthouse is 800 metres one way along a wide sealed path. Although it’s described as an easy walk, you should know there are some quite steep sections. Along the way, the walk offers magnificent views of the surrounding ocean and landscape as the lighthouse gradually reveals itself.

Te Werahi Beach, Cape Maria Van Diemen, with Motuopoa Island on the right – view on the walk to Cape Reinga Lighthouse.

Cape Reinga Lighthouse with the yellow signpost showing distances to the South Pole, the Equator, Vancouver, Los Angeles, and more.
The lighthouse itself is not open to the public, but a visit to the site is a must-do.
A ten-minute drive from Cape Reinga brought us to picturesque Tapotupotu Bay, where we stopped for tea, coffee, and muffins under the shade of native trees. Tapotupotu Bay provided a tranquil contrast to the dramatic landscapes of the cape. Before heading to our next stop, I took a leisurely stroll along the golden sands of Tapotupotu Beach and cooled my feet in the calm waters.
The final stop before our flight back to Paihia was the Te Paki Sand Dunes, also known as the Giant Sand Dunes. These massive dunes, some towering up to 150 metres, presented an impressive and unexpected contrast to our earlier experiences on this tour. One of the highlights was the opportunity to go sandboarding down the steep slopes of the dunes. Salt Air provides sandboards for its guests.
The one-hour flight back to Paihia took us down Northland’s spectacular east coast, soaring over several beautiful bays, harbours, and stretches of white silica sand against a turquoise sea.
The vast expanses of brilliant white silica sand on Parengarenga Harbour’s shores are among the world’s purest and were once mined for glassmaking. Flying over Parengarenga Harbour was an absolute joy, as it is remote and can only be seen from the air or sea.
Before turning inland for Kerikeri Airport, we flew over the breathtaking Bay of Islands.
The Bay of Islands is a stunning coastal paradise. It is home to an impressive archipelago of 144 islands scattered across crystal-clear waters, ranging from small rocky outcrops to larger, verdant landscapes. Renowned for its turquoise waters, golden beaches, and lush greenery, the Bay of Islands is a haven for nature lovers, history buffs, and adventure seekers. Read my blog post for a detailed review of my sky and sea exploration of the Bay of Islands.
Salt Air’s Cape Reinga Tour by Aeroplane was an unforgettable adventure, and I highly recommend it. In just 4.5 hours, I experienced an incredible mix of iconic landmarks, rugged coastlines, tranquil bays, and towering sand dunes – all without feeling rushed.
The scenic flights were just as breathtaking as the ground experiences. From soaring over lush mountain ranges to navigating the length of Ninety Mile Beach and following the spectacular east coast, the ever-changing scenery was mesmerising.
I thank Sam, our pilot, driver, and tour guide, for his outstanding job throughout the afternoon. He multitasked with ease, his knowledge of the area was excellent, and his patience with a diverse group of people was commendable. Well done, Sam!
This tour was the perfect way to discover New Zealand’s Northland, combining exhilarating aerial views with immersive on-the-ground experiences. If you’re looking for a unique, action-packed journey, this is the one you can’t miss!
A Unique Perspective
Practical Information
Northland, situated at the northern tip of New Zealand’s North Island, features low elevation and close proximity to the sea, resulting in a mild, humid, and quite windy climate. Summers are warm and tend to be humid, while winters remain mild. Rainfall is generally abundant throughout the year, with sporadic heavy downpours. Nevertheless, dry spells can occur, particularly during summer and autumn. Most parts of Northland receive around 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.
While in Paihia, I stayed at the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands, a comfortable, 4-star resort-style hotel just 0.9 kilometres from Paihia Wharf and the heart of the town. The hotel comprises groups of two-story villas with several rooms on each villa’s two levels. There are no lifts to the second floor. So, if you don’t want to carry a bag up a flight of stairs, ask for a ground-floor room.
Salt Air’s Cape Reinga fly/drive tour is more than just a journey; it’s an immersive experience that captures the essence of New Zealand’s stunning Northland region. Every moment is filled with discovery, from the awe-inspiring aerial views during the scenic flight to the cultural and natural wonders explored on land. The refreshing stop at Tapotupotu Bay offers a serene break amidst the adventure, while the thrill of sandboarding down the Te Paki dunes adds a dash of excitement to the day. This tour seamlessly blends the beauty, history, and adventure of the North, leaving you with memories that will last a lifetime. If you’re seeking a unique and enriching way to explore Cape Reinga, Salt Air’s fly/drive tour is absolutely worth taking.
Disclaimer: This post contains no affiliate links. All views and opinions are my own and non-sponsored. Unless otherwise stated, all photos are my own and remain the copyright of Joanna Rath/Just Me Travel.
© Just Me Travel 2018-2025.
Which part of this tour sounds most exciting to you – the scenic flight, Cape Reinga Lighthouse, relaxing at Tapotupotu Bay, or sandboarding at Te Paki?
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Author’s Note: Please check the latest travel restrictions before planning any trip and follow government advice.
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