Cape Kidnappers Bird Watching Tour

With keenly intelligent eyes and snow white feathers, the amazing gannet is a favourite of bird watchers everywhere. If you're a fan of the gannet, or if you just want to witness an amazing and beautiful creature in its natural habitat, you will delight in seeing the 20,000 strong flock at Cape Kidnappers in the Hawkes Bay, the largest mainland gannet colony in the world!

The gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers – which is also the most accessible colony in the world – is able to be seen from September to late April annually, during which time these beautiful birds build their nests, lay their eggs and raise their chicks. The chicks take wing for the first time in late April (or early May, for the late bloomers) for their first migration to a warmer climate. A visit to Cape Kidnappers during this time will allow you to see both adults and young gannets, nesting in their tight-knit rows.

Members of the Booby family, these stunning looking birds attract their mates – as well as many a bird watcher – with their golden crown and distinctive black eye and beak markings, as well as their impressive six-foot wingspan. As they go about their routine, you will be awed to see the flashes of bright white, gold and black as they swoop and dive for their dinner, preen themselves, tend to their young and dance their recognition ritual.

As you enjoy refreshments and listen to the friendly and knowledgeable guide talk about the beautiful gannets, you will not only be mesmerised by the performance of the birds around you, but the scenery will also amaze you. From the viewing point – a cliffs edge, 100 metres above the ocean – you will see azure blue ocean span out across the horizon and hemmed by slate grey cliffs, dotted with emerald bushland.

With 35 years' experience, Gannet Safaris know how to ensure you have a great bird watching adventure. By delivering you within metres of the gannet colony in their comfortable, air conditioned 4x4 vehicles, Gannet Safaris are the only safari that guarantee you won't have to work up a sweat walking to the birds. During the 36km ride to the viewing site, you will see the gorgeous green pastures, riverbeds, deep gullies, inclines and native bush of Cape Kidnappers Station. You will also have a stop-in at a panoramic cliff top that looks out over the lovely scenery from Hawke Bay, across to the Mahia Peninsula.