Bird Island Nature Reserve, Lamberts Bay: Address, Phone Number, Bird Island Nature Reserve Reviews: 4.5/5
Bird Island Nature Reserve
Bird Island Nature Reserve
4.5
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Restaurants
9 within 5 kms
Isabella's Restaurant
433
0.3 kmRR - RRR • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly
Weskus Kombuis
156
0.2 kmRR - RRR • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Funky Tastebuds
51
55 mRR - RRR • Cafe • Deli • Vegetarian Friendly
High Tide Restaurant
24
36 mRR - RRR • Steakhouse • Seafood
Mad Hatter Coffee Shop
32
0.4 kmRR - RRR • African • Cafe • Fast food
Lobster Port Restaurant
10
0.2 kmRR - RRR • Seafood
Steenbokfontein Farm
14
0.3 km
Alledingen
1
0.3 kmPizza
Muisbosskerm
362
4.5 kmRR - RRR • Seafood • Barbecue • Gluten Free Options
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3 within 10 kms
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4.5
235 reviews
Excellent
104
Very good
104
Average
22
Poor
3
Terrible
2
Elzabe D
Pretoria, South Africa85 contributions
Mar 2021
Wait with a meal until you finished your tour to the island the smell is very potent and ripe. Put some Vicks or perfume under your nose to help you cope with the smell.
Written 29 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Andre H
Cape Town, South Africa353 contributions
Dec 2021
There are only 6 Gannet colonies & this is the only one people can visit for a fairly close up view. Fortunately it is still breeding season when we visited on 17 Dec 2021 so we saw the 23 - 24000 Gannets as per our guide. What a sight , there were numerous chicks amongst the masses . Quite a noisy bunch but really fascinating . You able to go up to a viewing deck & view without glass , the lower section has a glass front . They are quite beautiful birds with their yellow heads & blue eyes . We also managed to see a few seals. The cost is R50pp & free if you have a Wild Card. Its located within the harbour & has a little museum with a few dolphin , gannet etc skeletons . There is a restaurant within the harbour . Along the breakwater wall there are also numerous man made cormorant platforms to encourage breeding . Was a wonderful experience & a privilege being so close to nature
Written 20 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Miggels
19 contributions
Nov 2021 • Family
We really enjoyed our visit to Bird Island. You must go in mating season though otherwise the birds will not be there. The guides in the information centre overlooking the birds were very informative and happy to answer all our questions.
The other information centre was being refurbished so we couldn’t go inside.
Well worth visiting when the birds are there.
The other information centre was being refurbished so we couldn’t go inside.
Well worth visiting when the birds are there.
Written 11 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
MyGeld
South Africa301 contributions
Aug 2020
The close proximity to the birds, huddled in their thousands is a great experience! There a multiple seals on the rocks behind the birds and staff were well informed and eager to share their knowledge!
Written 5 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
dacabs
Winston Park, South Africa431 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We were fascinated by the Cape Gannets o this island. Wonderful information Centre that is in form of a hide allows you to view the gannets up close. The guide is able to answer all ones questions about these amazing birds. All their behavior is explained. Highly recommended. There are also cormorant nests to view but no information unfortunately. Sea gulls too. Various boards dotted around give information of history and nature. Strange thing is you do not pay at entrance but rather at far end of island.... perhaps some people skip paying? Great photo opportunities
Written 26 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Anne N
Royal Tunbridge Wells, UK51 contributions
Mar 2020
Certaily lives up to its name: there were tens of thousands of birds on the island, But be prepared for the stench of amonia. The hide was out of use when we visitied, so we were not charged an entrance fee. I don't think the lack of hide distracted us from our enjoyment.
Written 14 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Harry H
Port Elizabeth, South Africa30 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
The sight of thousands of Cape Gannets gathered on this island is something to behold despite the constant noise and smell. The constant movement of birds either going out to hunt at sea or returning to feed their young or to rest make this a photographer's dream. Knowledgeable guides are available to answer all your questions about the birds. The birdhide itself can do with some tidying up or even upgrading.
Written 9 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jan W
Blackboys, UK201 contributions
Jan 2020
Worth a visit, bit smelly as you would expect, good information and up close and personal to the Gannets which was fab.. Interesting to see the Cormorant nesting sites purpose built.
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
VictorW
Cape Town, South Africa20 contributions
Feb 2020
My wife is a vivid bird watcher and she was speechless. Must say to see so many birds in one place what an experience. Thank you to the two gents manning the lookout point, very clued up and knowledgable and the right people to serve the public, sorry did not catch your names but keep it up!! For the lady at the "visitors" building, maybe either work on your "personality" or just get another job. You are the same as what we saw and witnessed inside the building "NOTHING". What a sad state it is. However other than that what an experince with all the birds on the island.
Written 19 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Been a few places
Epsom, UK1Â 118 contributions
Jan 2020
Bird Island is an amazing sight! Even if you don't particularly birds, you will be impressed. We saw around 2000 Cape Gannets, including fluffy chicks. Watching the birds fly in and out of the colony from the nearby hide was amusing and it was a lot of fun watching the birds interact (there are posters in the hide explaining what they're doing). Surprisingly the colony didn't smell!
As well as the Gannets, there are various species of Cormorants and Terns. The entry fee was well worth it to get this close to some amazing sea birds (you'd otherwise have to be out of sea to see the Gannets), and of course, your fee goes towards their conservation.
As well as the Gannets, there are various species of Cormorants and Terns. The entry fee was well worth it to get this close to some amazing sea birds (you'd otherwise have to be out of sea to see the Gannets), and of course, your fee goes towards their conservation.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
swayam92
Mumbai, India47 contributions
What are the best months for viewing Gannets at Bird Island Natural Reserve? How is January?
homedelsac
Corbera de Llobregat, Spain925 contributions
January should be plenty of chicks still in juvenile feathers, each with its mother. Very good time to visit. Actually the colony is always very populated.
Gerhardus E
Brakpan, South Africa
is there an entrance fees to visit bird island
BARRYBE
Durban, South Africa2Â 458 contributions
Yes there is a small fee but being part of a group I do not know the exact amount as this was included as part of the price of our package for a tour of 10 days.
Dick M
Loudon, TN17 contributions
We'll be in Lambert's Bay next April and will visit Bird Island. Is there parking nearby? Roughly how much time should I allow for the visit?
Best regards
robdotinfo
Cape Town, South Africa168 contributions
You can park outside Isabella's Restaurant (no problem finding parking both times we visited). This is inside the harbour gate and next to the causeway entrance.
As for time, it depends how interested you are by the birds. Their specialised behaviour is interesting to watch and they provide wonderful photographic opportunities. There's also a small exhibition of whale, seal and bird skeletons in a building nearby.
2-3 hours max I would say.
vera811
Aalst, Belgium1 contribution
Hi, can we visit the bird island on our own, do we need to do a boat trip? Starting point for the trip?
Trudy-uk
Bath, UK201 contributions
it's not really an island - a projectory off the harbour. There is a "sleepy" type of town where you can park - probably for free, but i'm not sure. However, there is parking in the harbour.
The gannets were a wonderful sight as the "hide" - a permanent brick building - were very close to the gannets and we stayed there for about an hour watching their comings and goings. We also enjoyed about another hour walking up the "breakwater" looking at the boats and other birds.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bird Island Nature Reserve
- Hotels near Bird Island Nature Reserve:
- (0.16 km) Arendzicht Seaview Accommodation
- (0.18 km) Lamberts Bay Hotel
- (0.18 km) White Sands Guesthouse
- (0.39 km) Haus Muller
- (0.42 km) @TheBay Guest Villa
- Restaurants near Bird Island Nature Reserve:
- (0.04 km) High Tide Restaurant
- (0.06 km) Funky Tastebuds
- (0.18 km) Lobster Port Restaurant
- (0.26 km) Isabella's Restaurant
- (0.23 km) Weskus Kombuis