About
Gannet Safaris Overland Ltd, based in Te Awanga just north of Napier, offers one of Hawke's Bay's most thrilling wildlife encounters: guided tours to see Australasian gannets in their natural habitat at Cape Kidnappers. This is the only mainland gannet colony in the Southern Hemisphere, and Gannet Safaris specialises in getting you up close to these magnificent seabirds without disturbing them. What sets this operator apart is their overland access route—a 4WD journey across Waimarama Beach and through working farmland that's genuinely immersive and far more intimate than the traditional tractor-train option. With a 4.8-star rating from nearly 500 reviews, they've earned a reputation for knowledgeable guides, small group sizes, and genuine passion for conservation.
Expect a 2–3 hour experience that's suitable for families, couples, and solo travellers of most fitness levels. The journey combines coastal scenery, pastoral landscape, and an arrival at the clifftop gannet colony where you'll watch hundreds of birds dive-bombing into the sea and nesting on the rocks below. The atmosphere is wonderfully unhurried—guides share stories about gannet behaviour, breeding cycles, and the reserve's restoration efforts. Tours run year-round, though October to April is peak breeding season when you'll see the most activity and chicks. It's genuinely worth the trip; this is a rare, authentic encounter with native wildlife that few visitors forget.
Gannet Safaris fits perfectly into a wider Hawke's Bay loop combining Napier's Art Deco architecture, Hastings wineries, and coastal drives. The Te Awanga location is a 20–30 minute drive from Napier CBD, making it an ideal half-day activity. Best visited in autumn or spring when weather is reliable but crowds are lighter than summer. Combine it with a visit to nearby Waimarama Beach or book it as part of a multi-day Hawke's Bay itinerary—locals often recommend it as a must-do that sets the region apart from other New Zealand destinations.
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