Dec 15, 2025 Cape Kidnappers Part 2
Our goal was the Black Reef Gannet colony at the black reef tip of the cape, one of 4 colonies on Cape Kidnappers.
We walked up to the Gannet colony slowly and they pretty much ignored us!
We were able to see pairs of Gannets going through their mating rituals as well as big fluffy chicks being guarded and fed by their parents!
There is a larger colony up on the top of the cape, another half hour hike beyond, that is accessed only by wading through sea water at this tip of the cape which we did not attempt! We sat on rocks watching the small waves lap over the rocks of the shallow reef, the birds flying to and fro, and ate our sandwiches. We watched a younger couple arrive and navigate the trip through the water around the tip which was still thigh deep even at low tide! We started back, now in full sun, and explored some of the narrow canyons opening onto the beach through the high cliffs.
We made it to the Black Reef Colony and back before 11am! We were ready to call it a day!
Researching for this post led me to THIS ARTICLE, apparently this hike is very risky and no longer encouraged due to the risks of rockfall, even landslides, and misjudging the tide!