Shore Excursions Tours for Cruise Ships
Regular Tour with transfers for cruise ship passengers
For cruise ships coming into Napier port, we offer special tour departure times for each ship, depending on the time in port. You can find our tour departure time for each ship day in the booking information.
When disembarking the ship, please use the free shuttle into Napier city where you are dropped outside the i-Site (Information Center). No one is permitted to walk off Napier Port for safety reasons, therefore the shuttle service will be the only option for you to get into Napier.
All tours depart from and return to the ‘pink flag’ area, which is in front of the Sound Shell stage next to the i-Site. Our driver will be waiting there for you with a Gannet Safaris Overland sign.
We also work closely with the ship and are in phone contact with them during the day to make sure that all tours and timetables go by smoothly.
This tour can only be booked directly though our website and is not available via any 3rd party online platform.
Tours are 4 hours return from Napier.
Please note:
For some ship days we will pickup directly from port due to short port times,
therefore there will be no need to get the shuttle into town.
This applies to the following days:
Tour on 26th February 2026 – Noordam
Regular Tour with transfers for cruise ship passengers
- Adult (18+ years): $148
- Child (5-17 years): $74
- Infant (0-4 years): Free of charge, no seat allocation and must be on lap. Only 1 infant per adult.
Cancellation Policy
Payments accepted by Bank Credit Cards, Cash or Agent Voucher. – Tours must be pre-paid. We reserve the right to cancel for events beyond our control & if minimum number are not meet for a tour to operate.
Should you cancel within 48 hours of tour, no refund given.
Cancelling outside of 48 hours of tour is eligible for a 100% refund less booking and credit card fees.
Should we cancel 100% of ticket price paid made will be refunded less fees.
If your cruise ship cannot come into the port for whatever reason, you will receive a 100% refund, only valid if you are booked on a specific ‘regular tour with transfers for cruise ship passengers’ booking.
Child & Infant Policy
Children 5-18 years inclusive – 50% of adult fare.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Infant under 4 years – Free of charge, no seat allocation and must be on lap. – Only 1 infant per adult.
Frequently asked questions
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How many people are on the tour?
Each of our buses’ seats 20 guests.
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Child & Infant Policy
Children 5-18 years inclusive – 50% of adult fare.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Infant under 4 years – Free of charge, no seat allocation and must be on lap. – Only 1 infant per adult. -
What is your cancellation policy?
Payments accepted by Bank Credit Cards, Cash or Agent Voucher. – Tours must be pre-paid. We reserve the right to cancel for events beyond our control & if minimum number are not meet for a tour to operate.
Should you cancel within 48 hours of tour, no refund given.
Cancelling outside of 48 hours of tour is eligible for a 100% refund less booking and credit card fees.
Should we cancel 100% of payment made will be refunded. -
Is the tour catered?
While at the plateau, we provide tea and coffee and a biscuit
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Is the tour good for photographers?
Absolutely – we get plenty of photographers. Everyone has different light preferences… some even do a morning trip one day and an afternoon trip the next so they can get the right shot. Photographers also love the sunrise tour.
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Is the tour suitable for all ages?
Absolutely. As long as you can hop on and off the bus unaided then the tour is good for you! No or very little walking is required. At the plateau it is all flat to walk around
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Are there bathrooms on the tour?
There are no bathrooms available during the tour. The last chance to dance is at our base where we have very good bathroom facilities. On the tour there is only the odd tree for emergencies.
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What if our ship cannot come into the port?
If your ship is unable to come into Napier port for whatever reason, you will receive a full refund within 24 hours.
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How can I book this tour?
Our cruise ship tour is exclusively available through us. You can book it through our online portal above. Its not a tour that is offered by any other online platform as each tour is customized with the docking time of each ship.
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Where do we join the tour?
Once you have gotten onto the shuttle from Napier port, you will get dropped off outside the Napier iSite. Our tours depart from next to the iSite building, in front of the sound shell. Our driver will also be holding up a sign for Gannet Safaris Overland.
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How long is the tour?
Starting from Napier, our cruise ship tours are 4 hours return.
Other tours you may like
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Regular Tours
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Private Tours
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Sunrise Tours
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“Fantastic experience, very knowledgeable driver and a great trip to do. Unbelievable how close we got to the birds!”
Viator - January 2025
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“
Birds, Scenery and Farmland a taste of rural NZ!
Amazing views. The gannets were flying all around us, not at all bothered by us. We were very close to them and a wonderful experience. The bus driver, also the guide was very knowledgeable, not only about gannets, but also about the local history. All up, a very enjoyable afternoon.
”Trip Advisor - January 2025
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“Garth was a wonderful, friendly and informative guide for this amazing trip across the stunning Cape Kidnapper peninsula landscape to see the Gannet colony. These beautiful birds were an incredible sight to see, especially also with this being the largest and most closely accessible gannet colony in the Southern Hemisphere. The trip was done with amazing international fellow travellers and we feel is highly recommended as a trip to do for anyone visiting beautiful Hawke’s Bay.”
Trip Advisor - September 2025
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“This tour is a must I just loved it. Wayne was so knowledgeable on all his details he gave us about the farm the animals and birds. He made you feel so welcome. When we got to the gannets they were amazing to see they are such a graceful bird. This is a three hour trip well with doing”
Trip Advisor - March 2025
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“What a great experience, up close with the amazing birds and views to die for. Highly recommend.”
Get Your Guide - March 2025
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“Beautiful area which you don't get to see normally as mostly private land. Knowledgeable guides and fantastic wildlife - would highly recommend this!”
Trip Advisor - April 2025
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“This highlight is not to be missed! The tour is highly recommended. The bus ride through the varied landscape with its steep climbs and spectacular views is an experience in itself. The destination of the tour is the huge gannet colony on the high plateau. Everything here is still very natural, although you can get up to about 1 m to the animals and take great photos. We were lucky enough to be able to see the baby birds that had obviously hatched recently. Another "highlight" was our driver Marcus, who made the trip very entertaining with lots of information and anecdotes. The journey was (almost) the destination, but seeing the birds up close without disturbing them is something very special. If you are in Napier or the surrounding area, you should not miss this beautiful tour.”
Get Your Guide - November 2024
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“
Well worth the 3 hour journey there and back to Cape Kidnappers. The destination, the Gannet colonies out on the Cape, was breathtaking and enlightening but the journey there and back was itself a major part of the experience. This trip was highlight of our 4 days in Hawkes Bay. Just do it.
”Viator - February 2025
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“It was a terrific tour! Marcus was a great guide and very knowledgeable. We learned much and enjoyed the stuffing landscape and magnificent birds. A must do!”
Get Your Guide - April 2025
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“What a incredible adventurous journey to see the Gannets. Thousands in the colony did not disappoint; it was amazing. We were close to them and watched quite a while. Another group was off a cliff down below us. Dramatic scenery with the gannets was an adventure we'll never forget.”
Google Reviews - September 2025
