Three stays. One island.
A simpler kind of holiday
Arapaoa Island has no roads in and no crowds. You arrive by water, settle into a house that has been here longer than most of us, and let the days go quiet. Pearl farm tours, walking tracks and the Marlborough Sounds are all on the doorstep.
360
hectares, privately held
3
houses, sleeping 31 in total
30+
years hosting guests
Silver
Qualmark 3 star plus
Where you will stay
Each house stands on its own bay or ridge. Book one, or take all three.
The Beach House
The front deck
The view
The kitchen
Living Area
Living Area
Dining Area
Hallway
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
2 single beds
Bathroom
Sleepout, behind main house
Sleepout, queen bed
Sleepout, bunk beds
Sleepout, Bathroom
Sleepout, Shower
floor plan
The Beach House
From NZ$420 per night, up to 5 guests
Little Colonsay sits right on the sand of its own private beach. Modernised over the years but still recognisably a 1952 bach, with all-day sun and a kitchen that has comfortably fed a party of twenty-eight. The water is a few steps from the deck.
- Private sandy beach and jetty
- Full kitchen, laundry and BBQ
- Swim, kayak and fish from shore
- All-day sun on the deck
Rates and sleeping arrangements
Sleeping arrangements
- Bedroom 1Queen
- Bedroom 2Double
- Bedroom 32 singles
- SleepoutQueen & 2 bunks
- Maximum12 guests
Nightly rates
- Summer, Oct to MayNZ$465 up to 5
- Off season, Jun to SepNZ$420 up to 5
- Couples, Oct to Nov & Feb to May$250 up to 2
- Each extra guestNZ$22 per night
- Minimum stay1 night
Pets NZ$50 per night by prior approval · Boat mooring NZ$30 per night · No Wi-Fi in the houses, Spark reception across the island
The Gunyah Retreat
Front of Gunyah
Gunyah location
Door to front deck
View, ferries entering the cook strait
Kitchen
Dining table
Wood burner
Dining table
Lounge
Bedroom 1
Bedroom 2
Bathroom
Sleepout
Sleepout
Sleepout, queen bed
Sleepout, bunk beds
Sleepout
Sleepout, bathroom floor plan
The Gunyah Retreat
From NZ$350 per night, up to 5 guests
Built in 1945 as Joe and Patty Perano's retirement home, and kept much as they left it. From 1911 until 1964 the Perano family hunted humpbacks from Whekenui Bay, and theirs was the last whaling station in New Zealand to close. The house looks out over the water they worked, across the entrance to Tory Channel to the Wellington heads, sheltered from the wind by old macrocarpas. Gunyah means sheltered place.
- Wood burner and 1940s character
- Views over Cook Strait to the Wellington heads
- Sheltered by macrocarpas, with lawns
- The largest house, sleeps up to 13
Rates and sleeping arrangements
Sleeping arrangements
- Bedroom 1Double bed, single bed
- Bedroom 22 sets of bunks
- SleepoutQueen bed, 2 set of bunks
- Maximum13 guests
Nightly rates
- Summer, Oct to MayNZ$405 up to 5
- Off season, Jun to SepNZ$350 up to 5
- Couples, Oct to Nov & Feb to May$250 up to 2
- Each extra guestNZ$22 per night
- Minimum stay1 night
Pets NZ$50 per night by prior approval · Boat mooring NZ$30 per night · No Wi-Fi in the houses, Spark reception across the island
The school House
Not far from the beach
View from the front
Living area
Kitchen, no oven
Single bunks
Double bunks
Back exit
Back exit
Outside bathroom
Historic plaque floor plan
The School House
From NZ$235 per night, up to 6 guests
The remodelled schoolhouse where the whalers' children were taught, on the grassy flats of Whekenui Bay with water views on three sides. Open-plan living, cosy rather than grand, and the closest of the three houses to the main homestead.
- Open-plan living, kitchen and bedroom
- Panoramic water views
- Closest house to the homestead
- Good for a small family
Rates and sleeping arrangements
Sleeping arrangements
- Set of double bunks
- Set of single bunks
Nightly rates
- Summer, Oct to MayNZ$260 up to 6
- Off season, Jun to SepNZ$235 up to 6
- Each extra guestNZ$22 per night
- Minimum stay1 night
Pets NZ$50 per night by prior approval · Boat mooring NZ$30 per night · No Wi-Fi in the houses, Spark reception across the island
Getting there
How to reach Arapaoa Island
The island is accessible by water taxi, private boat, or helicopter. We work exclusively with trusted local operators to make your journey seamless.
Water taxi
Beachcomber Cruises
Book exclusively through Beachcomber Cruises, departing from Picton. The most popular and scenic way to arrive on the island.
Mail boat
Beachcomber Cruises
Take the Mail Boat Cruise and share the excitement of Mail Day as the skipper delivers the New Zealand Rural post bags, groceries and freight to the residents that call the Queen Charlotte Sound waterways home. Just tell them where you're getting off!
Helicopter
Helicopters Nelson
Scenic flights arranged exclusively through Helicopters Nelson, departing from Nelson Airport. The most dramatic way to arrive.
Private boat
Arrive in your own vessel. Moorings are available on the island, contact us in advance to arrange.
Need help planning your arrival? Get in touch and we'll arrange everything for you.
Add a pearl farm tour
Walk the seawater tanks where the pāua are raised, watch a pearl grading demonstration, and see the farm collection. Most guests add a tour to their stay.
Add something to your stay
Romantic, picnic and pāua tasting packages can be arranged for any house. Let us know when you book and we will have it ready before you arrive.
