Cape Kidnappers: Gannet Beach Adventures

Cape Kidnappers is a headland at the southeastern extremity of Hawke Bay on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is located 20 kilometres southeast of the city of Napier.

The promontory sits at the end of an eight kilometre long peninsula which protrudes into the Pacific Ocean. It was named after an attempt by local Māori to abduct one of the crew of Capt. James Cook's ship Endeavour in 1769. The Cape is the site of a large gannet colony. A world famous golf course is also located here.

Located on the East Coast of the North Island in the Hawkes Bay Region, Cape Kidnappers is a short drive from Napier is the Cape Kidnapper Gannet Reserve. It is the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world.This popular tourist destination is home to 1000's of Australasian Gannet or Takapu as the Maoris call them.

It is important to check the tides before walking out there as the tide comes upto the cliffs, leaving you to be washed out to sea. There is a café that serves Rush Munroe’s ice cream and other café food. You can book tractor rides out to the gannet colony in the main part of town and there is always room at the Clifton motor camp for another camper van. It is in places not safe to swim at.