If sailing into the Napier cruise port is one of the stops on your New Zealand cruise, you will want to start here. As local New Zealanders, we have visited Napier multiple times and can help you choose the best options for you.
Nestled in Hawke’s Bay, Napier is famous for its stunning art deco architecture, which sets it apart from other parts of New Zealand. The city is also home to the National Aquarium.
To us, Napier is a city for walking, with a lovely coastal path and the highlights centrally located. However, the region is also ideal for cycling, and there is plenty to see in and out of the city.
The surrounding Hawkes Bay is a top wine region and home to stunning sites like Te Mata Peak. Wine tours are the perfect opportunity for sampling the region’s renowned vintages, and are probably equally as popular as the art deco tours. In fact, we have included a few options that do both
We discuss all our favourites below to aid you in choosing the best options for your one day in Napier.
Map of Napier cruise port highlights including the Dock location
Although only 1 km north of the city centre, there is no pedestrian access at the Port of Napier.
Conveniently, a free shuttle service runs from the ship to town.
Tour or DIY: What is the best way to Enjoy Napier cruise port?
In general, Napier is an easy city to explore on foot, but we believe a guided tour of the art deco architecture is well worth the cost.
Plus if you are venturing into the surrounding Hawkes Bay region, you will need transport and the added value of a guide.
We go into more detail on the general advantages and disadvantages of shore options here.
5 Highlights From the Napier cruise port
We detailed our favourite things to do in Napier and the best of the surrounding Hawkes Bay region here.
However, with only one day in the region, we want to suggest 5 highlights. You can spend your time doing one, or we have added a few tours below that visit multiple locations.
- Art deco
- Wine tasting
- National Aquarium
- River rafting
- Te Mata Peak
Discover the details in the Art Deco Architecture
Napier’s extensive art deco architecture is a result of the 1931 earthquake that led to the city’s reconstruction in this stylish design.
While one can walk around the streets and see the style everywhere, we believe the best way to enjoy it is with a tour. More specifically, we recommend guided walking tours from the art deco Trust. We enjoyed ours so much that we did it again on our next visit to Napier.
Our knowledgeable guides brought out the rich history while pointing to intricate details we might have otherwise missed. Use this link to check for discounts on the Art Deco Trust tour.
There is also a self-guided tour option that you can download onto your own device. If you choose the self-guided walking option, check the reviews carefully, as they are mixed.
If you prefer not to walk, there are also van tours discussed below as they cover multiple venues.
Explore the National Aquarium of New Zealand
If you are exploring the city on foot, the National Aquarium of New Zealand is a fun add during one day in Napier. It’s home to a wide range of marine life from New Zealand and around the world, but the little penguins were a highlight for us.
These adorable creatures have a dedicated rescue and rehabilitation programme, making their exhibit both heartwarming and educational. The aquarium also features a captivating underwater tunnel, offering a close-up view of sharks, stingrays, a Kiwi enclosure, and other marine species.
If you are cruising with kids, this will be one of their highlights. Reserve your admission ticket here.
Two ways to Enjoy a Hawke’s Bay Wine Tour
Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s premier wine-producing areas, known for its exceptional reds and Chardonnay. We believe the best way to experience this is with a wine tour, either guided or self-guided.
Relax and let someone else do the driving
After reading plenty of reviews and looking at what’s included, we recommend a highly-rated half-day tour. It includes visits to four internationally recognised wineries and a cheeseboard. At each, you will taste a variety of wines and learn about the winemaking process from your guide.
This 4-5 hour tour that starts at 11 am will most likely allow you extra time to enjoy some of Napier before returning to your ship. Reserve your half-day wine tour here.
Enjoy the Fresh air while you Pedal or E-Bike on a self-guided Cape Coast Winery Tour
Another top-rated option includes pick-up and drop-off in town and time to ensure you are set up with the right bike. You will want to confirm your Napier cruise port times before booking, as the tour pick-up starts at 10 a.m., and the return trip will get you back at 4.30 p.m.
In a region filled with cycle trails, cycling is a popular way to enjoy the wineries. This self-guided tour offers optional add-ons, so you can do it slowly and leisurely or expend a bit more energy. Either way, the scenery is stunning. Reserve your Cape Coast Winery Tour on Pedal or E-Bikes
Be active with Scenic rafting
For those seeking a more active adventure, this ‘white-water’ rafting Napier shore excursion is a perfect choice. This 5.5-hour trip offers an easy class II rapids experience, making it suitable for first-timers.
There is an option to swim in the gentle river, but either way you’ll be surrounded by stunning native bush and serenaded by birdsong. The tour supplies photos of your adventure.
While we haven’t tried this yet, it’s definitely on our bucket list. This highly-rated tour promises excitement and beautiful scenery. Reserve your scenic rafting shore excursion from Napier.
Stand in awe at Te Mata Peak
Te Mata Peak is a short drive from the city and is often included in tours that venture beyond art deco. This iconic landmark offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and coastline.
The views from the summit are truly stunning, making the climb worthwhile, but it is more likely that you will be driven to the top and enjoy the views from the lookout points.
It’s a perfect spot for nature lovers and photographers alike.
Putting it together: Napier shore excursions that combine the best of the region
Here are a few options that maximize your one day in Napier by visiting more than one of the key sites. These are the two we recommend:
- Art deco, Te Mata Peak, wine and beer tasting
This 4-hour small group tour will give you a sample of the region. You will visit a winery (often Mission Estate, New Zealand’s oldest Winery). You will enjoy a wine tasting, and have a beer or cider option. Plus, it takes into Napier for an art deco tour. Reserve your small group Napier art deco, wine and beer taste shore excursion here. - Te Mata Peak and art deco in both Napier and Hastings
Enjoy the views from Te Mata Peak as well as discover art deco in both Napier and Hastings on this 4-hour van tour. It’s perfect for those who don’t like to do a lot of walking. Reserve your premium Hawkes Bay and Napier shore excursion here. - Hire a private guide
Create your own adventure with a private guide. Reserve a guide here.
Where to next: What to do at each of the New Zealand cruise ports
If you haven’t read it yet, don’t miss our general tips for first-time visitors to New Zealand or our overview of cruising in New Zealand. We have written more on each cruise port here:
Check Cruise Direct for deals on New Zealand and Australia cruises
What to bring when cruising in New Zealand
Good news. We offer several free packing lists, including one for cruise travel. If you are like us and like to have everything you need, but not tons of extra stuff, check out these tips for packing light while cruising.
Don’t miss our best cruise tips
More tips and resources for your cruise
Below are our go-to companies when we cruise. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Cruise: We find great deals at Cruise Direct.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Set up private guides at the ports: Looking to maximize our limited time at a port, we often hire private guides.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
Save for later
If you enjoyed this article on the Napier cruise port highlights, please share it on social media and save it for later on Pinterest.
What will you do with your one day in Napier?
Read more on the region . . .
Photo Credits
Photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such, in the public domain, or some stock photos were supplied by DepositPhotos.
Alex+J.+Cavanaugh
Aquarium and wine tour sounds best to me. And exploring that peak would be next on the list.