one of the world’s best full day pelagic seabird tours

Tutukaka,
New Zealand

+ an ongoing at-sea sighting research project.

Buller's Shearwater Workup

What’s special about the petrel station?

52

tubenose seabird
species recorded

69

seabird species
recorded

The Petrel Station pelagic seabird tours have a well-earned reputation as one of the best seabird birdwatching tours in New Zealand, and the world, for birders to see a rich diversity of stunning seabirds. Based out of Tutukaka (in Northland NZ) these tours are a birding dream, offering a very unique and memorable seabird experience, and showcasing why New Zealand is known as the seabird capital of the world!

Here’s just a few reasons why these birding tours are so special:

  • Best location, and tour, in the world to see New Zealand Storm Petrel

  • An impressive list of specialty local seabirds including Pycroft’s, Cooks and Black Petrel, Little Shearwater and Grey Noddy to name a few

  • 24 seabird species breed locally on nearby islands and mainland.

  • Migrating seabirds pass by in season, & scarce vagrant seabirds turn up too

  • Our latitude (35ºS) is generally as far south as tropical seabirds, and as far north as southern seabirds will range, so we’re in a prime location to see a diverse mix of seabird species over various seasons

  • Huge feeding workups of Buller’s Shearwater and Fairy Prion in season

  • Exceptionable up close seabird viewing and photo opportunities

  • A full day out means lots of time on the water (tours go for 9 to 10 hours)

  • Every tour helps towards the at-sea seabird sighting research project

  • Tours go year round, for a wide range of seabirds over the various seasons.

The best way to experience these stunning seabirds is out on the ocean, in their world.

Buller's Mollymawk
Pycroft's Petrel
Fluttering Shearwater

photographers, Birders & nature lovers dream

Up close and personal seabird birdwatching encounters:

  • Many of the seabirds come in within metres of us, either flying around or settled on the water nearby

  • The layout of the boat means you can walk right around it, offering exceptional views no matter where the seabirds are.

  • From huge albatross to tiny storm-petrels, there’s plenty of variety.

  • With 9 to 10 hours on the water these birding tours give you plenty of time out on the ocean birdwatching and enjoying these stunning seabirds

Salvin's Mollymawk (Albatross) and a New Zealand Storm Petrel

Masters of their environment

Be it a huge albatross soaring gracefully overhead, or a tiny Storm Petrel dancing across the water’s surface, seabirds are totally in their element out on the vast oceans

We get a great diversity of pelagic seabird species out at The Petrel Station and the best way to experience most of these seabirds is to get out on the ocean and into their environment.

Does being out amongst stunning seabirds sound like you? Must be time to come out to The Petrel Station.

keep updated

Find out when new seabird tour dates are added, and other news from The Petrel Station.

get some gear

Get that super stylish seabirdy look with The Petrel Station’s official team t-shirts and hats.

help support the research

We’re seeking assistance to help support the seabird research project through donations, funding support, relevant expertise and equipment.