Kapiti Island Swim
The Kapiti Island Swim is a 5.6 km ocean swim held between Kapiti Island and the mainland of New Zealand on its North Island. It is limited to 20 swimmers and those who can supply their own escort boat and is one of the World's Top 100 Island Swims.
The Kapiti to mainland swim began in 1963 and has historically always been organised by the Raumati Swimming Club. Because of the strong tides and open sea swimming conditions, there are strict entry and time conditions that swimmers must adhere to. These include a medical check on the morning of the race.
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Kapiti Island
Kapiti Island is a nature reserve hosting some of New Zealand’s most endangered birds. Its protected waters are home to an abundance of marine life. Kapiti Island Nature Reserve is ten kilometers long and two kilometers wide. Visitor numbers are strictly limited - access is only by licensed launch and a landing permit from the Department of Conservation is required. For a visit, individuals need to apply for a permit one to two months ahead. It is 50 km north of Wellington on the North Island of New Zealand and 15 minutes across the surface of the marine reserve that lies between the mainland and Kapiti Island.
