Plan & prepare

Getting there

Getting to the Cape is half the fun. You can either walk via the beach at times of low tide or use the various means of commercial transport along the beach. Access by beach is undertaken by commercial tourism operators licensed by the Department of Conservation.

From Scotmans Point at Clifton allow at least 5 hours for a comfortable return walk along the beach. This can only be down at low tide, with the best times of departure being no sooner than three hours after high tide and departing from the Cape no later than 1.5 hours after low tide.

Information on the tide times can be obtained either from local newspapers or at the information centres mentioned below.

Take care

View of Cape Kidnappers

The cliffs along the beach are unstable and slips sometimes occur. If resting or picnicking, do so away from the cliffs.

Please treat this reserve as the gannets' home. as it is one of the most easily accessed gannet colonies, special care is needed to ensure their continued presence here.

• Nesting birds don't like disturbances such as loud noises and fast movement.
• Keep behind the barriers or a minimum distance of five metres from the nesting gannets.
• Dogs and horses are not permitted.
• Motorbikes and vehicles are not permitted off the beach into the reserve.
• Fires and camping are not permitted.
• Please keep to the track through private land.
• It is illegal to take firearms into the reserve.
• Litter can be harmful to wildlife - leave only your footprints behind in the sand....

When to visit

The best time for viewing the gannets is between early November and late February. Nesting commences in mid-September and continues through to mid-December. The first chicks hatch in the first week of November and the last chicks depart the colony during May for their migration to Australia.

Please note that public access to the gannet colonies is closed between July and October. This is to prevent disturbance to the birds during their early nesting phase.

What to take

Please take into account the hot and sometimes windy conditions. Suggested items to take are:

• Sunscreen, hats and drinks.
• Swimwear is sometimes appropriate - safe swimming is possible close to the rest area.
• In case of cool sea breezes take extra clothing, especially if you intend travelling by tractor/trailer.

Available services

In addition to the commercial transport services the following are available to the public:

• Information board and car park at the Clifton departure point.
• Information shelter and toilets below the Cape colony.
• Picnic facilities including water are also available at the Cape shelter.

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