Here’s the most frequently asked questions about The Petrel Station seabird tours. If you can’t find the answer here, please get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

For tour costs and booking information see our Costs and Booking page.

Visit our Upcoming Seabird Tours page to see our scheduled tour dates.

Our Research Project page has information on the long-term seabird research behind the tours.

Seabird FAQ’s

  • Depending on the season, there is an exceptional mix of seabirds that can be seen on The Petrel Station seabird tours. Offshore from Tutukaka we regularly encounter Albatross, Petrels, Shearwaters, Storm Petrels, Prions, Skuas, and other seabirds, with the species mix changing through the year.

    To explore what has been recorded, visit our Seabirds of The Petrel Station page, and our past Tour Reports section which have lots of insights. You can also browse the species-group pages and The Seasons page to see how the seabird mix changes through the year.

    As with any birding activity, sightings vary from day to day depending on the season, weather, and sea conditions, so no particular species can ever be guaranteed.

    One of the best ways to increase your chances of seeing a wider range of seabirds is to join more than one tour, which is why many people travelling a long way book two or more trips.

    You can also check our outstanding Tour Reviews we regularly receive from people coming on the seabird tours from all around the world.

  • Really close! We can get amazing up-close encounters with lots of seabird species coming within metres of the boat, either soaring around or settled on the water nearby.

    Storm Petrels (particularly New Zealand Storm Petrel), most Albatross, and some Petrel and Shearwater will be really close and some will hang around for quite a while.

    Some species are more cautious and will come in for a flyby to see what’s going on.

  • The Petrel Station seabird tours are the best place in the world to see the rare and iconic New Zealand Storm Petrel. They are regularly encountered in season, often in very good numbers, and are one of the major highlights for many birders joining us offshore from Tutukaka.

    If New Zealand Storm Petrel is one of your main target species, it is worth checking the seasonal timing details on our Storm Petrel Species and The Seasons pages, and considering more than one tour if possible.

  • Not at all. If you’re new to seabirds, thats completely fine – actually it’ll be super exciting as everything will be new to you!

    In saying that, A little preparation can definitely add to the experience. If you want to get more out of the day, we recommend looking through Seabirds of The Petrel Station page, the various species-group pages, and The Seasons page before your tour. The excellent NZ Birds Online website is also very useful if you want to read further about seabird species.

    By the end of the day, people usually feel they have learned a lot and are often the ones excitedly calling seabirds out as they arrive.

  • Seabirds like to fly as efficiently as possible, so on windy days the seabirds are really in their element and are generally very active and soaring around, but the ocean will likely be more uncomfortable due to the bigger swell.

    On lighter wind or calm days the ocean may be quite calm and comfortable as there’s usually less swell, but lighter winds can affect which seabird species, and the numbers, that we might encounter on the day and the seabirds will generally be less active. Naturally the calmer oceans make for great photography conditions.

    Every day is a different experience out there (which is what we love about the tours :).

    When we select tour dates we can't predict what the conditions will be like on the day, and there's no guarantee on what seabirds will be encountered

  • Yes. Sightings from each tour are entered into eBird using several checklists covering the different locations or zones visited during the day.

    These checklists can be shared with people on the tour once they have supplied their eBird username or email address.

Tour Info & Preparation FAQ’s

  • These are full day tours, usually departing just after sunrise and return to Tutukaka mid to late afternoon. We are out on the ocean for around 9 to 10 hours, which gives a fantastic amount of time to enjoy the stunning seabirds and is one of the things that makes The Petrel Station seabird tours so special.

  • We travel out to the continental shelf which is around 40 km offshore, and it usually takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to get there depending on conditions and how often we stop along the way.

  • Tours usually depart just after sunrise. As sunrise times changes through the year the exact departure time changes and is confirmed closer to the tour date. Very occasionally, weather conditions may mean we depart a little later than sunrise.

    We usually return to Tutukaka in the mid to late afternoon, giving around 9–10 hours on the water.

    Please make sure you arrive by the confirmed departure time, as the boat will leave at that time regardless. There are no refunds if you arrive late and the boat has already departed.

  • Tours depart from Tutukaka Marina, in Northland, New Zealand — around 30 minutes from Whangārei and 2.5 hours north of Auckland.

    There is plenty of free all-day parking available at the marina.

    If you are booking domestic flights to get up here, we recommend using a flexible fare option just in case the tour needs to be cancelled.

  • BAGS
    We have a limit of one bag per person to ensure there's plenty of room onboard to move about the boat.

    FOOD & DRINK
    You’ll need to provide your own food, drink and other supplies for the tour. Please don’t bring alcohol onboard.

    SUN PROTECTION
    New Zealand's sun can be pretty harsh (including sun rays reflected off the ocean surface), so sunblock and a hat are a necessity. Sunglasses are useful too.

    CAMERA / BINOCULARS
    A camera (with charged batteries) and binoculars will both enhance your day and leave you with lasting memories too.

    WHAT TO WEAR
    On the day be sure to dress appropriately for the season you are going out in, and remember weather conditions can change quickly at sea. In summer its generally pretty warm but it can still get wet. In winter it can get very cold (especially in a southerly wind) so plenty of warm layers is recommended. Spring and autumn days can be very variable so be prepared for any conditions.

    Wet weather gear is recommended at any time of year. When we’re motoring there can be sea spray/splashes or rain, and mixed with the wind it can get wet/cold. Waterproof shoes or gumboots (no Red Band brand as they mark the boat) are very useful for the cooler months – and ensure all footwear has good grip to avoid slipping on the deck. Please note that we do not provide wet weather gear, so you'll need to ensure your own wet weather gear is appropriate for the open ocean conditions.

    MEDICAL SUPPLIES
    If you have any medical conditions please ensure you bring required supplies onboard, and we request you let us know of any medical conditions in advance.

    YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
    As we are venturing into an open ocean environment you will need to take extra care of any items you bring onboard, (including your optical equipment) and these items are your responsibility for the entirety of the tour. Care should be taken with your equipment to ensure it’s well protected while we are moving and out at various stops during the day. As well as the boat moving about, there is also potential for sea spray/sea splashes and rain on the tours.

    Also bring along a sense of fun, adventure and discovery :)

  • These tours are fantastic for up-close viewing of our stunning seabirds – and you’re going to want to take some photos. Make sure your batteries are fully charged, and your memory card has plenty of space as most people take a LOT of photos during the day.

    When considering focal length of your camera lens it’s helpful to know that often the seabirds come in right by the boat, or can be flying around quite close as well.

    Binoculars will greatly enhance your day as well for picking up more distant birds, and for more detailed observation of their features and behaviour when they are closer.

    As we are venturing into an ocean environment you need to take extra care of your optical equipment. All camera equipment and binoculars are the responsibility of the owner for the entirety of the tour and all care should be taken with your equipment to ensure it’s well protected while we are moving, and when we’re stopped at various locations during the day. There is potential for sea spray/splashes and rain on the tours.

    Please don’t bring the following onboard:

    • ‘Tripods or Scopes’ as they take up too much room on the boat, and even when we’re stationary the boat will be moving due to swell and wind so are basically unusable.

    • The use of ‘Drones’ is not permitted on the tour.

  • Yes — The Petrel Station seabird tours are excellent for photography.

    The seabirds come really close, and the boat we use offers superb all round viewing for exceptional seabird spotting and photography opportunities. You can walk completely around the boat so you can easily see and track the seabirds as they soar around. The deck is nice and low to the water and there are 1 metre high side walls right around the boat – this is perfect to lean against for stability and makes for excellent viewing and photography of the seabirds, which are often within metres of us, either flying around or settled on the water next to us.

    Naturally getting photos of flying birds from a boat has it's challenges, which makes it even more rewarding.

  • There are plenty of accommodation and food options in Tutukaka, and also in the nearby village of Ngunguru.

    Check out our Tutukaka Coast Info page for more details.

    If you are booking accommodation around a tour date, it is worth checking cancellation policies just in case the tour needs to be cancelled.

  • The boat we use offers superb all round viewing for exceptional seabird spotting and photography opportunities. When we’ve stopped motoring you can walk completely around the boat so you can easily see and track the seabirds as they fly around the boat. It also means there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out around the boat too.

    The boat is 30.5 feet long x 10 feet wide, and fairly stable. We also use a drogue (sea parachute) when stopped to help stabilise the boat further. The deck is nice and low to the water and there are 1 metre high side walls right around the boat – this is perfect to lean against for stability and makes for excellent viewing and photo opportunities of the seabirds which are often within metres of us, either flying around or settled on the water next to us.

    The boat is not flashy, and is fairly basic in terms of facilities. For seating there are a couple of benches and some large chilly bins, so there can be a bit of standing involved). An overhead canopy offers shade, and there's pull down plastic sides to shelter behind in wet weather. Lifejackets are available for all onboard.

    There’s a small basic marine toilet onboard. Please note that there’s a couple of steps down into the enclosed toilet area so care must be taken when entering.

Important safety requirement FAQ’s

  • These tours are not your standard calm water tourist boat cruise – they are an open ocean adventure activity, and we may encounter a variety of ocean / weather conditions on any given tour.

    We’re out on the water for a long time, around 9 to 10 hours, and travel about 40kms offshore. Depending on the day, conditions may range from calm through to 15–20 knot winds and 2–2.5m swells. Tours may be cancelled for adverse weather, though we usually still go if its raining.

    It’s worth noting that stronger wind can be excellent for the seabirds as they are really active and soaring around which is always marvellous to watch.

  • You’ll be on a boat for the full duration of the activity so you MUST be stable on your feet and able to move around the boat unassisted. The boat is an unstable, moving platform (whether travelling or stopped), and may make sudden movements. Decks and hatches may be slippery.

    These tours are not suitable if you have:
    – serious back or neck problems
    – heart conditions
    – recent surgery
    – stability or mobility issues
    – are pregnant
    – children under 10
    – wheelchair users

    Please disclose any medical conditions, allergies, or mobility issues when booking, and bring any necessary medication with you. As we travel well offshore, it is important that we know about anything relevant in advance.

    Failure to disclose any of the above may result in refusal to board, with no refund. This is for the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

    Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be refused boarding, with no refund.

  • These tours are an open ocean adventure activity and you will be on a boat (an unstable moving platform) for the duration of the activity. The boat will be moving around (both when stopped, or travelling) to varying amounts depending on the strength of the wind and swell. Decks and hatches may be slippery due to water or fish residue so caution must be taken when boarding, moving around, and disembarking.

    For this reason, you MUST be stable on your feet and you MUST be able to move around the boat unassisted, especially on rougher days when the boat may be moving a lot, or may make sudden movements due to swell.

    Failure to let us know about any issues in advance may result in refusal to board, with no refund. This is for the safety and enjoyment of all participants.

  • Ensure you take seasickness medication as we don’t cut tours short if someone’s seasick. Even if you’ve never been seasick, you can’t assume you won’t be, and it’d be a shame to spend your day feeling ill.

    Take medication well before departure (some need taken the night before) – most are ineffective if taken when out. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist to determine the best option for you. Ginger based remedies seem to be unreliable. A good night’s sleep and avoiding alcohol also help.

    Please note that seasickness is not grounds for refund.

    It’s definitely well worth getting out there to experience the stunning seabirds in their environment.

  • These tours offer an amazing opportunity for children to experience some stunning seabirds in their natural environment.

    However, as these tours are an open ocean adventure activity, children must be:

    • 10 years or older

    • actively supervised by an adult at all times‍ ‍

    • follow any instructions given by the crew.

    Young people aged 16+ years may come onboard alone.

    In some cases, younger children with strong boating experience may be allowed, but only with prior approval.

    When booking, please include your child’s age. If you do not let us know you’re bringing a child along on a tour, then we may refuse boarding, with no refund. Seasickness should be seriously considered too.

Booking & cancellation FAQ’s

  • To book on one of our seabird tours simply check out our Upcoming Seabird Tours page to see the scheduled tour dates.

    Then go to our Costs & Booking page for tour costs and payment options, and to complete the ‘Request a Booking’ form.

  • If you have the time, it’s well worth considering booking on two or more seabird tours, as each day offshore can be a quite different experience, with an increased chance of encountering a wider diversity of seabird species. Also if a tour happens to get cancelled then you’ve still got another chance to get out.

    During our busy ‘Spring’ season (Sep to Dec) we also often schedule a selection of tour dates where we head out each morning for 2 days or 3 days in a row (known as Double or Triple Headers). PS ... it’s also fine to book for a single day on the double/triple header tour dates too.

    Another popular option is booking two tour dates with a day or two gap in between.

    We have a lot of people who come from overseas, and from elsewhere in New Zealand, that book for two or more tours since they've travelled all this way to experience our stunning seabirds.

    Check out our scheduled seabird tour dates on the Upcoming Tours page to see what’s available.

  • The skipper regularly monitors weather and swell conditions, and we aim to make a decision 2 days before the tour on whether the tour will go ahead or not. In some cases, this may be delayed until the day before if conditions are uncertain. The skipper’s decision is final.

    You will be notified by email (using the address provided at booking). Please check your spam or junk folder if you don’t see the update.

    As a guide, generally the most we go out in is about 15-20 knot winds and 2–2.5m swells, but this depends on a number of factors (and may be more, or less, depending on the day). We usually still go out if it’s raining.

    Note: If you're booking domestic flights within New Zealand, we recommend using the 'Flexi-fare' option just in case the tour gets cancelled.

  • If we cancel a tour due to adverse conditions, we may offer a closer-to-shore alternative on the same day, in an area less affected by the conditions. This still gives the opportunity to experience some seabirds, although we’ll likely encounter fewer species as some prefer deeper waters (ie New Zealand Storm Petrel).

    If conditions are unsuitable for any options on the original tour date, we may try to reschedule to the day before or after. This is subject to boat availability and ocean and weather conditions and is not always possible.

    For a closer-to-shore or rescheduled tour to go ahead, all participants must agree to doing it, OR, if only some participants want to proceed then additional per-person costs will apply.

    If neither of the mentioned options are feasable, the tour will be cancelled and you will receive either a tour credit or refund.

  • Tours require a minimum 7 participants. If the minimum is not met, we’ll notify you 1–2 weeks before the tour date. In some cases, we may look at still running the tour with additional per-person costs.

    If this isn’t possible, the tour will be cancelled and you will receive either a tour credit or a refund.

  • If you cancel your booking:

    • More than 45 days prior: Either a tour credit, or a refund (less a 10% cancellation fee).

    • Within 45 days: No credit or refund – UNLESS we cancel the tour, or fill your spot, in which case you receive either a tour credit, or refund (less a 10% cancellation fee).

    If we cancel:

    • We reserve the right to cancel any tour due to adverse conditions, insufficient bookings, or any other reason whatsoever. In this case you receive either a tour credit, or a refund.

    Please note:

    • Refunds are made in NZD. Exchange rates at the time of refund may mean the amount returned differs from the amount originally paid

    • There is no refund if you miss the boat

    • In no event will our liability exceed the amount you paid us for the tour.

  • Yes we do – Check out the Private Charters page for more information.

Ready to experience our remarkable seabird tours?

Join The Petrel Station seabird tours from Tutukaka for a full-day offshore wildlife experience in one of the most diverse seabird regions on Earth.

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