Shore Excursions Tours for Cruise Ships
Tour to Cape Kidnappers from Napier 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.
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:
Regular Tour with transfers for cruise ship passengers
- Adult (18+ years): $168
- Child (5-17 years): $84
- 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.
Infants are unable to be accommodated on the Ultimate Day Out private tour. -
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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“Beautiful day in a magical place. You have to see to believe. You can not missed this tour if you are in Hawke's Bay area”
Viator - February 2026
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This was one of the best tours we have been on. The guide was more than knowledgeable, he was truly an expert on the history of the area, the gannets, vineyards and his stories were great. The colony itself is so unusual, something I will not see elsewhere. I highly recommend this tour
”Trip Advisor - March 2026
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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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“The weather made a perfect show of Mother Nature. The stunning views of Cape Kidnappers coast, the fascinating Gannet colony, learning about their life cycle and how far they fly when they leave the nest which is mind boggling. It's a must do tour!”
Google Reviews - March 2026
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“Excellent experience that everyone should do at least once, tour guide was very knowledgeable and gave a good rundown of the history of the area and sanctuary that the tour drives through. It is a great privilege to be able to get so close to the birds on their nests and to see them flying in”
Google Reviews - March 2026
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“As a wildlife enthusiast I absolutely loved being driven up to this fabulous gannet colony. Our guide was very interesting and enthusiastic about the nature and conservation of the area. It was a very special experience which I will remember for ever. Thank you.”
Get Your Guide - February 2026
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“Wonderful 11/10!!!. We passed by the private farm, allowing us to see the true New Zealand farms. The view in the colony is just stunning, gannets choose well their place ! With a nice hot coffee makes this visit perfect! Of course we could get so close to the amazing beautiful Gannets ! ”
Viator - January 2026
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This tour was amazing! Could stay up there forever, just watching this beautiful birds in their natural habitat. Shoutout to our guide as well!!!
”Get Your Guide - March 2026
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“Visited Gannet colony in cape kidnappers. Guide was very knowledgeable, gave lots of information during the drive to the gannets. Beautiful scenery en route. Gannets were amazing, quite smelly! You are able to get very close to the birds, plenty of time given to enjoy the bird colony. An extra treat was the coffee and biscuits provided by the guides. Worth the money.”
Trip Advisor - March 2026
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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
