About this tour
When Noah from our BugBitten team booked Gannet Safaris Overland, we got straight to why this one stands out: you actually drive onto the plateau rather than hiking in. The 3-hour fully guided tour rolls you within metres of Cape Kidnappers' gannet colony, where thousands of these massive seabirds nest and dive. Hawke's Bay spreads out around you — golden cliffs, scrubby plateau, and that proper raw coastal feel. The gannets themselves are genuinely mesmerising to watch: the diving, the swooping, the sheer volume of them. Tea and coffee come with it. It's a no-walk option that lets you focus on the birds without the leg work.
Highlights
- Drive-on access to plateau eliminates steep walking requirement
- Metres away from thousands of nesting and diving gannets
- Hawke's Bay landscape views from the plateau
- Air-conditioned minivan — genuinely welcome in Bay heat
- Tea and coffee service during the tour
- Guides explain gannet behaviour and colony dynamics
- Pram-friendly and suits all fitness levels
What to expect
Noah's experience was straightforward and relaxed. You board the air-conditioned minivan and head out onto the Gannet plateau — the only operator allowed to do this. The drive itself gives you context: guides talk through the landscape, the bird behaviour, and what you're about to see. Once there, you're positioned close enough to watch gannets properly: the dive-bombing, the territorial squabbles, the sheer chaos of a working colony. It's not a rushed tick-box; the 3 hours lets you soak it in.
The plateau itself is exposed and windswept, which adds to the drama. Bring a light jacket even on warmer days. The tea and coffee station breaks things up mid-tour, which Noah appreciated. The whole operation feels well-oiled — no faffing about, no overcrowding, just good sightlines and time to photograph or simply watch.
What travellers say
- Only operator with drive-on plateau access — no steep hiking
- Close-up gannet viewing from vehicle comfort
- Included tea and coffee breaks the experience nicely
- Guides share genuine local knowledge about the colony
- Air-conditioned minivan beats walking in summer heat
- Accessible for all fitness levels and pram users
- Weather-dependent; windy conditions can affect tours
- Hotel pickup not included unless separately booked
- Exposed plateau offers minimal shelter from elements
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is genuinely the easiest way to see a major gannet colony without hiking. If you're not keen on steep walks, older, or have young kids, it's a real win. The drive-on access is exclusive to Gannet Safaris, so you won't find this elsewhere. Hawke's Bay itself is stunning — rolling wine country, coastal cliffs, and proper golden-hour light if you time it right. Three hours is enough to see the birds behave without feeling rushed or overdone.
The plateau is exposed and windy; weather can close the tour. Book early if you're on a tight schedule. Note: this tour isn't available to cruise ship passengers — they have a separate offering. Hotel transfers aren't automatic; check whether you need to arrange your own transport to the meeting point. Wear layers and bring sunscreen; there's minimal shelter on the plateau. The tour is pram-friendly, but the vehicle itself is a standard minivan (not luxury), so expect basic comfort.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.