Sunrise
Tours
The East Cape and Hawkes Bay Coast are the first places in the world to see the sun rise out of the ocean. Join us on our private sunrise tour and have your own personal encounter with the magnificent gannets. With the sun rising over the plateau – you will feel a new kind of connection to the nature and beauty of our country.
When you reach the colony, you’ll be mesmerised by the spectacular birds with their distinctive eye markings and golden crowns. Be within just a few feet of adults and chicks, nesting and preening themselves as well as performing their courtship dance.
Enjoy a gourmet picnic breakfast with plunger coffee while overlooking the incredible vista.
Sunrise Tours from our Te Awanga base
396 Clifton Road, Te Awanga (aprox a 25 minute drive from Napier)
- 3 hours (up to 4 people): $1090.00
Departure time will vary depending on the day, we aim to leave our base at Te Awanga 1 hour before sunrise to capture those magical moments before dawn breaks.
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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.
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.
Combo PRIVATE
SUNRISE TOUR + VINTAGE CAR ART DECO TOUR
Experience two of Hawke’s Bay’s most scenic and luxurious excursions. Have an early start to your day with a private tour to the world’s largest accessible gannet colony in our Range Rover with the sunrise as your backdrop.
While at the plateau we will serve you a gourmet breakfast of croissants, ham & cheese, pastries, muesli, yogurt, fresh fruit – plunger coffee and juice
At the completion of your Gannet Safaris Overland tour, you will be collected in a 1930s vintage car by a Deco-dressed driver. En route to Napier, you will hear of the city’s massive 1931 earthquake and see up close the reconstruction of Napier in the Art Deco style.
Combo PRIVATE SUNRISE TOUR + VINTAGE CAR ART DECO TOUR
- 5 hours (up to 4 people): $1,375
Includes return transfers from your innercity accomodation
We may request prepayment upon confirmation of booking. Payments accepted by Bank Credit Cards, Cash or Agent Voucher. We reserve the right to cancel for events beyond our control. Should you cancel within 24hrs of tour, 50% will be applied. Should we cancel, 100% of payment made will be refunded.
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. -
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.
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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
