Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony

Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony

The Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony is located at Cape Kidnappers in the Hawke's Bay region, covering an area of 13 hectares. It is the world’s largest mainland gannet colony and was established to protect the gannets’ nesting grounds. Gannets are among the largest living species of birds, with some weighing up to 13 kilograms. They inhabit lakes, rivers, and coastal areas around the world.

The Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony consists of two main areas: Saddle and Black Reef gannet colonies. At its peak, the colony is home to up to 17,000 gannets. Unfortunately, these areas are not open to the public, but visitors can admire this stunning natural reserve — with its beautiful scenery and tens of thousands of gannets — from a distance on the beach. The best time to visit is from November to February each year, as the first chicks typically hatch in early November, and the last ones leave the colony by May. Migratory seabirds that can be spotted here include Australasian gannets, reef herons, oystercatchers, little black cormorants, pied cormorants, and white-faced storm petrels. Although they appear clumsy on land, these birds are capable of flying and diving at high speeds from the sky to catch fish.

Cape Kidnappers Gannet Reserve

Must-visit reason: The world’s largest mainland gannet colony

Continent: Oceania

Country/Region: New Zealand

Province/State: Hawke's Bay Region