The Area
Maori Legend tell us Cape Kidnappers is the fish hook of Maui -Te Mato a Maui – with which Maui, a mythical sea god pulled the North Island from the sea.
In 1769 it was named Cape Kidnappers by Captain James Cook, the famous English explorer, when the local Maori attempted to kidnap his ship's interpreters son, a young Tahitian boy.

Cape Kidnappers is situated at the eastern tip of the province of Hawke Bay, North Island of New Zealand. For a map showing the location, click here.

Hawke’s Bay is well known as a very successful fruit and wine producing region and is also becoming renown for its quality lifestyle, its beaches and long, warm summers.
Nearby (about 20 km distance) are the cities of Hastings and Napier, both of which were destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1931. They were both rebuilt to an Art Deco Style of architecture that now attracts thousands of visitors from around the world each year.

The Geology
You don’t have to be a geologist to enjoy this!
It is an area of fascinating geological history dating back about 4 million years which is visible in the dramatic cliff faces that line the beach along which we travel for the duration of the tour.

The coastline displays a spectacular sectional outlook of river gravel and silt layers with an abundance of ancient forest debris and shell fossils scattering the cliff faces. Scars still remain from ancient earthquake faults. The visible evidence of how the earth's crust has slumped many times is truly amazing.

Some of the powers of mother nature can be observed and understood during the informative stops that are made by our local and experienced guides.

To learn and understand more….
Come and visit us and have
"more FUN than you ever imagined!"