Bird watching in Abel Tasman National Park and Cook Strait

Bird Watching and Ornithology Trips with Abel Tasman Charters Cook Strait Bird Watching Trip - 2½ days

Cook Strait provides excellent sea birding opportunities throughout the year due to its central location and prolific food source.

This natural sea corridor is visited by migrating and feeding seabirds on passages north and south. As such, rare and unexpected sightings are a possibility.

The expected bird species are likely to change seasonally with autumn and winter providing large numbers of Albatrosses, Mollymawks and hundreds of Cape Pigeons.

White capped, Black browed, Royal, Wandering and Salvin Albatross are common. Northern Giant Petrels are regular visitors as are Fluttering Shearwater, Fairy Prion and Common Diving Petrel.

During the summer Arctic Skua, Bullers, Flesh Footed and Sooty Shearwaters become more prolific.

The trip includes the added highlight of a visit to the New Zealand King Shag colony. The entire population of this species (around 500) is located in a small area of the outer Marlborough Sounds.

Trip Details

Departure from Stephens Bay located near the township of Motueka, Nelson from where you cross Tasman Bay to French Pass (approx. 2hrs) and on to the Marlborough Sounds. This includes bird spotting along the way before heading out into Cook Strait.

Two crew members will assist you while onboard. Skipper Rod, and Steve, our experienced ornithologist guide.

Great fishing and beautiful scenery are available for non birders.

Overnight accommodation is on board with the boat moored in a sheltered bay, all food supplied.

The trip is subject to weather and sea conditions. We offer a full refund if the trip is cancelled due to bad weather, prior to departure.

Cost for 2 passengers, 2½ day trip NZ$5,400. 10% deposit required, refundable if cancelled due to weather.

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Please feel free to discuss other tours that you may require.

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Bird photographs copyright Steve Wood