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.
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.
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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
