The Muriwai gannet colony is the main reason many visitors come. Australasian gannets nest on the rock stacks and cliff edge at Otakamiro Point, and you can watch them from platforms a few minutes from the car park. They are wild birds in a nesting colony, so you keep to the paths and the viewing platforms.
Our top pick: Muriwai Beach 2-Hour Horse Trek Experience
When to go: the gannet calendar
| Months | What you will see |
|---|---|
| August to October | Birds return and pair up |
| November to January | Nesting, with chicks visible around December and January (peak for visitors) |
| February to March | Chicks fledge, numbers fall |
| May to July | Largely empty |
Source: Auckland Tourism’s Muriwai beach guide, checked November 2026. Numbers are reported as roughly 1,000 to 1,200 breeding pairs depending on the guide, so treat the figure as approximate. The exact first and last bird dates change every year.
Getting to the viewing platforms
Park at the Waitea Road car park (the one the council recommends), then follow the Maukatia Gannet Track to the lookouts. Auckland Tourism’s guide gives the track as 1.3 km and about 25 minutes return, while an Auckland Council park map describes about 1.6 km return from the Maukatia (Maori Bay) car park. Either way it is a short walk, and the lookouts are about 10 minutes from the beach end.
Check track status first. Auckland Council has closed the track on weekdays for repairs in the past (a November 2025 update said weekday access from Maukatia Bay would close until mid-December, with weekends and public holidays open), and the track is usually closed for repairs after the birds leave around March or April. We could not read the current notice, so check Auckland Council’s park page before you drive out.
Seeing the colony safely
- Stay on the marked paths and platforms. Do not climb over barriers for a photo.
- Do not fish from the rocks near the colony. A man died after falling into the sea there in June 2026 (Surf Life Saving NZ). See fishing at Muriwai.
- Maori Bay below the colony has dangerous surf. Read beach safety and Maori Bay and the blowhole.
- No drones near nesting birds unless the council’s rules allow it; we have not checked the drone policy, so ask the council.
Photography tips
Morning light and late-afternoon light are the most flattering. A telephoto lens (200 mm or more) lets you fill the frame without leaving the platform. The headland faces west, so the evening light can be superb: see sunset photography at Muriwai.
Without a car
There is no public transport to Muriwai that we could find. A private west-coast tour is the practical option if you do not drive. Most listed west-coast day tours focus on Piha and the Waitakere Ranges rather than Muriwai, so read the itinerary for a gannet stop before you book (see tours from Auckland).
Muriwai Beach 2-Hour Horse Trek Experience
Rides along the black-sand dunes and coast. 4.7/5 from 7 reviews (GetYourGuide, November 2026).
Auckland: Group Surfing Lesson with Muriwai Surf School
A beginner group lesson on the west coast. 4.9/5 from 46 reviews (November 2026).
Why book online
- Free cancellation on most tickets, usually up to 24 hours before
- Reserved time slot: no queue at the ticket desk
- Mobile ticket on your phone
- Reviews from verified travelers
Planning to stay overnight? Compare rooms in Kumeu.
Search tours on ViatorAnother option next to the GetYourGuide choices above. Availability and prices vary.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see gannets at Muriwai?
Birds are present roughly August to March, and December to January is the busiest period with chicks on the nests. Around May to July the colony is largely empty.
Is it free to visit the Muriwai gannet colony?
The colony is inside Muriwai Regional Park and we found no admission charge listed. Fuel and any parking rules are the main cost; confirm with Auckland Council.
Can I bring my dog to the gannet colony?
No. Dogs are prohibited at the colony and on the Maukatia track, and south of the surf tower, according to Auckland Tourism's guide. Confirm the current by-law with Auckland Council.
How long do I need at the colony?
About 30 to 60 minutes at the lookouts. Add time for the beach, Maori Bay and a walk if you want half a day.
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