Gannet Tour Questions And Answers
How The Site Works
What Is Napier Gannet Tour?
An independent comparison site for guided tours to the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers near Napier. It covers nine listings, all run by the same operator, across three categories: standard overland tours, cruise shore excursions, and private and sunrise tours.
Does The Site Sell Tours?
No. The site does not sell anything or take payment. Each listing links to the booking page where the purchase happens.
Does Booking Through The Site Cost More?
No. When you book through an affiliate link, the site earns a commission from the booking platform at no extra cost to you. The price is the same as booking directly on the platform.
Where Do The Prices And Ratings Come From?
From the booking pages. Prices and ratings can change, so treat the figures here as a guide and check the booking page for the current one.
The Tours
Who Runs The Tours?
All nine listings are run by one operator, Gannet Safaris Overland. The site compares their listings because the same product is sometimes listed twice on different platforms at different prices or with different inclusions.
Why Does The Same Tour Appear Twice?
Because the operator sells through more than one booking platform, and the listings are not identical. Both standard tours meet at 396 Clifton Road; one offers hotel pickup as an optional extra at booking, the other excludes it. Comparing them side by side is the point of this site.
Are These Tours Suitable For Cruise Passengers?
Only the two shore excursion listings are built for cruise passengers. They meet in central Napier, close to where the cruise shuttle drops at the Napier i-SITE on Marine Parade. The standard 3-hour tours are not aimed at cruise passengers.
What About Cancellations?
That is handled by the booking platform, not this site. All nine listings carry free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start, and the terms on the booking page are the ones that apply to your ticket.
Is Overland Safer Than The Beach Walk?
Yes, overland tours by Gannet Safaris Overland are not tide-governed and travel above the cliff tops; the beach walk is Expert grade with tide and landslide risk (DOC). For public information on the Cape Kidnappers reserve, the walking track and tides, the Department of Conservation (DOC) publishes the official guidance, and it is worth reading before any visit.
Practical Details
When Do Tours Run?
The operator season runs 1 August to 30 April, and the regular tours start daily at 9.00 am and 1.30 pm. DOC notes early November to late February as the main viewing period. Wildlife is seasonal, so no tour can promise specific birds or numbers on a given day.
Can I Walk To The Colony Instead?
Yes, there is a DOC walking track from Clifton along the beach. It is tide-dependent: the beach is possible only around low tide, high tides and big seas block it, and you should leave the Cape no later than 1.5 hours after low tide. Check the tide table before going.