The 6 Best Seabird Tours in New Zealand

1.Gannet Safaris Overland tour to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 942 reviews · from $61Our pick

Drive across private Cape Kidnappers Station in a rugged, air-conditioned minivan, stopping at viewpoints before reaching the gannet plateau. Guides such as Marcus, Jan, Mick, and Tony add stories about farming, wildlife, and local history. The three-hour tour includes tea or coffee and very little walking.

“Fabulous trip. The guides were so knowledgeable….we learnt so much about the gannets but also about farming in the area. To see so many birds together in one place was amazing.”

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2.Napier: Cape Kidnappers Gannet, Nature & Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 317 reviews · 3 hours · from $59Best value

Ride across Cape Kidnappers in a comfortable 4x4 with guides such as Jan, Marcus, or Trevor, then stand a few feet from thousands of gannets. Expect striking cliffs, Maori stories, forest and conservation stops, light refreshments, and no required walking.

“excellent tour. Our guide grew up on the farm and was full of fascinating stories of the past as well as interesting facts about the present - the wildlife, the lodge, the pest control and of course, the gannets”

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3.Albatross, seals, and sea birds-Wildlife Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · from $105

Join Rachel on a small-group wildlife cruise from Port Chalmers, or Portobello for a longer outing. The custom-built Sootychaser has a heated cabin, open deck, binoculars, and identification sheets. Expect harbor history, sea birds, fur seals, possible penguins, dolphins, and royal albatross.

“The captain- Rachael, was very friendly and knowledgeable. Even though the seas were a bit bumpy, she tried very hard to identify the wildlife while trying to make it as comfortable for the passengers as she could, while we bounced around”

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4.Dunedin Wildlife Cruise-Albatross, seals and harbour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 115 reviews · from $105

Join Rachel of Port To Port Cruises for a 90 to 120 minute wildlife cruise on Otago Harbour. From Port Chalmers or Portobello, you’ll look for albatross, seals, sea lions, penguins, shags, dolphins, and other sea birds, with binoculars, warm jackets, and live commentary provided.

“The arrangement via viator was well organized. Rachel, the captain, was on time and very personable and gave a great tour. She also provided us with a great photo sheet with all the possible birds and animals that could be observed in the area and we were able to check off quite a few of them seeing them first hand. We really appreciated the attention to detail by Rachel who contacted us and provided us better planning options for us to meet her at a better location which saved us considerable time and money.”

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5.Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 3 hours

Ride across the 2,500-acre Cape Kidnappers Station on a private three-hour tour with an English-speaking guide. See sheep and beef farming, native bush, Kiwi and tuatara, then stand a few feet from nesting gannets. Guides include Richard, Lesleigh, and Jo.

“Our Gannet Colony Private tour was great. Our guide, Lesleigh, was excellent. The tour was fun and informative. Lesleigh shared her knowledge of and love for the flora and fauna of New Zealand. She answered all of our questions. I would recommend Lesleigh and this tour to anyone.”

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6.Cape Kidnappers: Gannet Colony Exclusive Sunrise Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 3 hours

Set out before sunrise from Te Awanga in a private Range Rover with an English-speaking guide. Cross a working farm, pause for Hawke’s Bay views, then reach Cape Kidnappers’ gannet colony as adults and chicks stir for the day.

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