Where can I see albatross?
Bullers Mollymawk Stewart Island
An island nation surrounded by wild oceans and incredible sea-birds. Want to see albatross? Come to New Zealand!
1. Kaikoura. Located a 2 ½ hour drive from Christchurch and you find yourself in the small seaside town of Kaikoura. From here you can take a boat excursion out to be among a variety of albatross along with a backdrop of stunning mountains.
2. Dunedin. An extraordinary opportunity to visit the only mainland nesting site of albatross (and Northern Royal ones at that) can be found at the end of the Otago Peninsula at the Royal Albatross Centre. It is around a 30 minute drive from down town Dunedin along a spectacular stretch of road. If you are making the trip allow a little extra for a treat at Augustines of Portobello cafe. If you are feeling a little more adventurous a harbour tour can bring you close to nesting cormorants as well as a ringside seat to watch albatross take off and land at Taiaroa Head.
3. Stewart Island. Our bias is obvious. Stewart Island is one of the best places to see albatross and there are a number of options for doing so… have a look at the end of the wharf and there are often White-Capped mollymawks or Bullers albatross hanging around waiting to be captured by your camera. Take a tour (small or large boat) out to see a variety of albatross (including Southern Royal, Salvins, White Capped, Bullers and up to seven other species). The tours usually encounter penguins (Blue (korora), Yellow-Eyed (hoiho), Fiordland Crested (tawaki) and occassionally Snares Crested), skua, giant petrel, and shags. A long list of birds seen on or around Stewart Island can be found here.
Additionally one of the best ways to see albatross is to take a seat at the back of the ferry and watch them gliding effortlessly along the waves.
But be warned - if you are a photographer you will want a lens that allows close ups of a large bird (if birding on Stewart Island) - the albatross are not shy and will fly in close to the boat!
