4-Hour Shore Excursion, 45-Minute Stop

Napier Shore Excursion to Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony

★ 4.9 10 reviews

from $95.42 per person

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Duration: 4 hours
Meeting point: 100 Marine Parade, Napier
Cancellation: Free cancellation
Run by: Gannet Safaris Overland

Overview

Cruise passengers arriving at Napier's port take the free shuttle from the ship to the Napier iSite, a ride of about 5 minutes, and the tour vehicle collects them roughly 200 metres down the road, opposite the Napier Museum on the ocean side. From there Gannet Safaris Overland drives the group over private land to the Cape Kidnappers gannet colony. The whole outing runs about 4 hours, with around 45 minutes at the colony itself according to the itinerary.

The colony sits on privately owned property, and one reviewer noted the drive up takes more than an hour, passing landscapes they described as picturesque. At the colony you stand close to the gannets, which one visitor found bigger than expected.

Transport is by air-conditioned vehicle, coffee or tea is provided, and the group is capped at 40 travellers. Hotel pickup is not included; the meeting point at 100 Marine Parade is where the tour starts and finishes. It suits most travellers, including those with pushchairs, though it is not wheelchair accessible.

From$95.42 per person

Duration4 hours

Rating4.9 from 10 reviews

What's Included

Included

Air-conditioned vehicle
Coffee and/or Tea

Run byGannet Safaris Overland

Itinerary

Meet on Marine ParadeTake the free ship shuttle to Napier iSite, then walk about 200 metres to the collection point opposite the Napier Museum, on the ocean side of the road at 100 Marine Parade.
Drive to the colonyThe air-conditioned vehicle crosses privately owned land toward Cape Kidnappers, a drive one reviewer clocked at more than an hour with scenery along the way.
Time with the gannetsAround 45 minutes at the colony per the itinerary, spent at the site itself.
Return driveThe vehicle heads back toward Napier.
Back at the meeting pointThe tour ends where it began on Marine Parade, from where the ship shuttle is nearby.

Time At Colony: 45 minutes

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will help you plan this half-day trip, especially if you are fitting it around a cruise schedule.

The Napier waterfront under Norfolk pines with a cruise ship at the distant port and passengers walking toward a minibus

Getting there. There is no hotel or port pickup. Cruise passengers should take the free shuttle from the ship to Napier iSite, then meet about 200 metres down the road, opposite the Napier Museum.
No hiking. This makes the tour manageable for most travellers, and pushchairs are accessible.
Group size. The tour runs with a maximum of 40 travellers, so expect a coach-style group rather than an intimate outing. One reviewer described a fully occupied bus and some confusion when extra people tried to board at a rest stop.
On board. Travel is in an air-conditioned vehicle with coffee or tea offered. There is no mention of other food, so bring anything else you want for the roughly 4-hour outing.
Photography. One reviewer said the birds could be seen so close that it ranked among their best experiences, so a camera is worth having ready. Another described the scenery on the drive as picturesque.
Weather dependency. The experience requires good weather. If it is cancelled for poor conditions you are offered a different date or a full refund.

From$95.42 per person

Rating4.9 from 10 reviews

Check availability →

Common issues. The tour needs a minimum number of travellers to run; if that minimum is not met, you are offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. It is not wheelchair accessible, and hotel pickup is not included, which matters if you are staying outside central Napier. One reviewer reported coordination problems on a crowded bus, with people attempting to board at a rest area. Poor weather can also cancel the trip entirely.

Common Questions

Where Is The Meeting Point In Napier?

The meeting point is 100 Marine Parade, Napier. Cruise passengers take the free shuttle from the ship to the Napier iSite, which takes about 5 minutes, and the tour collects from about 200 metres down the road, opposite the Napier Museum on the ocean side. The tour ends back at the same spot.

Is Hotel Pickup Included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included. Travellers make their own way to the Marine Parade meeting point in central Napier.

What Is Included In The Price?

Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle and coffee or tea are included. Hotel pickup is not. The roughly 4-hour outing includes about 45 minutes at the colony per the itinerary.

Is The Tour Suitable For People With Limited Mobility Or Kids In Pushchairs?

The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but pushchairs are allowed and most travellers can participate.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

A full refund applies if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time, based on local time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before start are not refunded or accepted. Weather cancellations and minimum-number cancellations come with an offer of a different date or experience, or a full refund.

How Big Is The Group?

The tour has a maximum of 40 travellers. One reviewer described the bus as fully occupied, so expect a coach-style group rather than a small outing.