Cape Reinga is an incredibly beautiful and sacred spot to visit on your New Zealand adventures. After driving as far north as you possibly can, you’ll take a short 300-meter walk to the Cape Reinga Lighthouse. Along the way, you’ll find signs sharing how special this area is to Māori people (the Indigenous people of New Zealand).

According to Māori tradition, this is where spirits depart the earthly world on their journey back to Hawaiki, the ancestral homeland. They are said to travel down a pōhutukawa tree on the cliffs and into the ocean to begin their passage, a truly significant and spiritual place.

As you continue walking, you’ll notice something fascinating: the sea here is two different shades. That’s because this is where the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet, but they don’t mix. The currents collide, creating powerful swirls and distinctly different colours in the water. It’s such a unique natural phenomenon to witness!

The lighthouse itself was built in 1941 and is now operated by Maritime New Zealand. There’s also a fun little signpost nearby showing how far you are from cities like London and Sydney, a cool photo op for sure.

And don’t forget to scan the water while you’re here! When I visited, I spotted at least 30 dolphins playing in the shallows. It was such an incredible and special moment, definitely one of the highlights of my trip.