In short
- Gannet Safaris drives a 4WD over farmland directly to the plateau.
- Gannet Beach Adventures takes vintage tractors along the beach at low tide.
- The 4WD tour takes 3 hours, while the tractor tour takes 4 hours.
In this article
Reaching the massive gannet colony requires a guided tour. Severe coastal landslides make walking the beach highly dangerous. You must choose between riding overland across a private farm or traveling along the coastline on a tractor. Both tours operate seasonally from September 1 to April 30.
What is the Gannet Safaris Overland tour?
This 3-hour tour takes a 4WD vehicle across private farmland directly to the nesting plateau.
The overland route covers a 36 km return journey and departs from 396 Clifton Road in Te Awanga. You do not need to walk to see the birds. The vehicle drops you just meters from the main colony. Adult tickets cost about $99 NZD, and children aged 5 to 17 cost about $49.50 NZD.
What is the Gannet Beach Adventures tour?
This 4-hour tour uses vintage, open-air tractors to travel along the beach from Clifton.
Because it uses the beach route, departures strictly depend on daily low tides. The tractors ride over sand and pebbles right beneath the coastal cliffs. Prices vary for this operator.
Which tour avoids the beach landslide risks?
The Gannet Safaris Overland tour avoids the beach completely.
The Department of Conservation warns against walking or stopping under the cliffs due to unpredictable rockfalls. The overland 4WD tour traverses rolling pastures and native bush, keeping you safely away from the coastal hazards.
Which tour is better for cruise ship passengers?
Cruise passengers must book specific shore excursion packages rather than standard tours.
Gannet Safaris offers a dedicated 4-hour shore excursion departing from Napier. Standard overland tickets do not allow cruise passengers to join. These specific cruise transfers cost between $148 and $168 NZD depending on the package.
Can you do both routes in one day?
You must choose one route for your visit.
The tours start at different locations and take up a significant portion of the day. Book the overland 4WD if you prefer a predictable schedule. Choose the tractor tour if you want a coastal ride timed with the tides.
Questions travellers ask
Do I need to walk on the Gannet Safaris tour?
No walking is required. The 4WD vehicle drives directly to the plateau, dropping you close to the nesting birds.
Where do the tours depart from?
Gannet Safaris departs from 396 Clifton Road in Te Awanga. Gannet Beach Adventures departs from the Clifton base nearby.
Are the tours safe from rockfalls?
The overland 4WD tour avoids the beach cliffs entirely. The tractor tour travels under the cliffs but requires careful timing with tides and avoids stopping under dangerous sections.
