Regular
Tours
Watch champion seabirds soar, swoop, dance, and dive right before your eyes into the blue ocean. Experience the tour that takes you overland to Cape Kidnappers and within metres of the magnificent Gannets.
Starting off at our Te Awanga base, take a 4WD safari through spectacular coastlines, working farms, native bush and to New Zealand’s largest privately-owned nature reserve. Come face to face with over 20,000 gannets in their natural habitat. Enjoy breathtaking views across the plateau and the open horizon over the deep ocean at your feet.
Open from 1 August – 30 April (including Christmas Day), you are welcome to join our daily tours which run twice a day, at 9.00 am and 1.30 pm.
Regular Tours from our Te Awanga base
396 Clifton Road, Te Awanga (aprox a 25 minute drive from Napier)
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- Adult (18+ years): $99
- Child (5-17 years): $49.50
- Infant (0-4 years): Free
- Child must be accompanied with an Adult ticket
- Infant ; No seat allocation and must be on lap. Only 1 infant per adult.
Regular Tours including transfers from Napier or Hastings or Havelock North (i-Sites):
Pick up times for transfers are at either 8.15am or 12.45pm
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- Adult (18+ years): $148
- Child (5-17 years): $74
- Infant (0-4 years): Free
- Child must be accompanied with an Adult ticket
- Infant ; 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 will be refunded less fees.
Child & Infant Policy
Children 5-17 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.
Tour Highlights
Frequently asked questions
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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 there room to park our motorhome?
Yes, we have a large off-road carpark, plenty big enough for several motorhomes to safely park up while you enjoy our tour.
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How long does it take to get to your base?
our base is a 25-minute drive from Napier, Hastings and Havelock North
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How many people are on a bus?
a maximum of 20 people
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Are we governed by the tides?
No – as we travel overland above the cliff tops
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Is the morning or afternoon better to see the birds?
The birds are just as active in the morning as they are in the afternoon, no time is better than the other.
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Are there bathrooms on 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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If 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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Can we take our small well-behaved dog on the tour?
Unfortunately no, as we ae traveling through a wildlife sanctuary and got to a Doc reserve with over 20,000 gannets – dogs are not permitted.
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Is the tour good for all ages?
Absolutely. As long as you can hop on and off the bus unaided then the tour is good for you! The plateau it is all flat ground so walking is very safe and easy, there are bench seats that can be sat on. Everything can also be seen from the bus without having to get out.
Other tours you may like
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Private Tours
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Sunrise Tours
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Shore Excursion Tours for Cruise Ships
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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
